Description
A rich, moist dark chocolate cake layered with fluffy, fresh strawberry buttercream and topped with a decadent chocolate ganache drip.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups granulated sugar
1½ cups special dark cocoa powder
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp baking powder
1½ tsp baking soda
1½ tsp kosher salt
4 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup warm water
½ cup Kahlua
½ tsp espresso powder
½ cup canola oil
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 cups unsalted butter, softened
6 cups powdered sugar
4 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup very finely diced strawberries (patted dry)
5–7 tbsp heavy whipping cream
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup heavy whipping cream (for ganache)
Fresh strawberries for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray three 9-inch cake pans with non-stick spray and line with parchment.
Step 2: Whisk flour, sugar, both cocoas, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined in a large bowl.
Step 3: Mix in eggs, sour cream, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, Kahlua, and the warm water mixed with espresso powder just until combined.
Step 4: Divide batter evenly and bake 25–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Step 5: Cool cakes in pans for 20 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 6: Beat butter until fluffy, add powdered sugar and vanilla, then mix in diced strawberries and cream until airy.
Step 7: Stack cake layers with generous frosting between each, then frost the outside smoothly.
Step 8: Heat cream for ganache, pour over chocolate chips, rest 1 minute, whisk smooth, then drip over cooled cake.
Step 9: Decorate with frosting swirls and fresh strawberries.
Notes
Ensure strawberries are extremely finely diced and patted very dry to maintain the stability of the buttercream.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 645 kcal
- Sugar: 62g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 88g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 95mg