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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Cake

    Easy Chocolate Strawberry Cake

    Published: Feb 4, 2025 by Lisa Killian ยท This post may contain affiliate links. Please read myย  disclosure policy.

    chocolate cake with strawberry icing slice with fork being stuck into it pinterest pin.
    โ†“ Jump to Recipe
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    This Easy Chocolate Strawberry Cake is easy to make, tastes delicious, and is ready in under an hour! Featuring a tender chocolate cake layered with the best homemade strawberry buttercream and topped with rich chocolate ganache, itโ€™s the perfect treat to impress your loved ones.

    sticking a fork into a slice chocolate cake with pink frosting.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • What Goes Into This Recipe:
    • How to Make This Chocolate Strawberry Cake?
    • How to Make Strawberry Buttercream?
    • How to Decorate Valentineโ€™s Day Cake?
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Other Valentine Recipes
    • Chocolate Strawberry Cake

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    The Cake: I use a simple chocolate box cake for this recipe with a few extra items to make it stand out. However, feel free to make my homemade buttermilk chocolate cake instead!

    The Frosting: The strawberry buttercream is so delicious and extremely easy to make.

    The Ganache: Rich, velvety, smooth, chocolate topping- always! Yes.

    The Best Pairing: We all love the classic combo of chocolate and strawberry for good reason. From chocolate-dipped strawberries to ice cream and now this delectable cake, chocolate and strawberry make the perfect pair!

    top of valentine cake with strawberries, heart candies, and crushed chocolate on top of ganache.

    This cake is perfect for Valentine's Day! Don't miss these other favorites to celebrate love: heart cake, my Valentine's Cake pops, and these easy Valentine's Day Cupcakes!

    What Goes Into This Recipe:

    Boxed Cake Mix: I like to use a storebought mix to make this recipe. It tastes great and comes together fast!

    chocolate strawberry cake ingredients in separate bowls.

    Strawberry Buttercream: I use real strawberries and LorAnn Strawberry Oil for maximum strawberry flavor- you can find the oil at most grocery stores, and bright pink food gel coloring for a vibrant pink color.

    chocolate strawberry cake frosting ingredients in individual bowls.

    Ganache: Heavy Cream and semi-sweet chocolate chips is all you need for a smooth pourable ganache.

    Decorations: Strawberries, Sprinkles, Crushed Chocolate, Candies

    ganache ingredients in their own bowls.

    How to Make This Chocolate Strawberry Cake?

    chocolate cake batter in cake pans.
    1. Step 1: Mix up the cake batter and pour into two 8-inch round cake pans.
    cake baked still in cake pan.
    1. Step 2: Bake cakes and allow them to cool completely before frosting.

    How to Make Strawberry Buttercream?

    strawberries in sauce pan.
    1. Step 3: Heat water, strawberries, and salt in a medium saucepan.
    pureed strawberry mixed in sauce pan.
    1. Step 4: Mash strawberries as the mixture boils. Reduce mixture to ~ยฝ cup then set aside to cool. If you want a super smooth mixture, you can use an emulsion blender.
    vanilla buttercream in bowl.
    1. Step 5: Using a stand mixer, beat butter until fluffy then mix in the vanilla, powdered sugar, and heavy cream
    strawberry buttercream on spatula.
    1. Step 6: Add in the cooked strawberries, a few drops of the strawberry oil, and a few drops of the gel food coloring. Mix until fluffy.

    How to Decorate Valentineโ€™s Day Cake?

    adding frosting to fill any gaps in between two layers of cake.
    1. Step 7: Place the first cake layer on a cake board with a bit of buttercream underneath. Add an even layer of strawberry frosting, then top with the second layer. Fill any gaps with more buttercream and refrigerate for a few minutes to set.
    smoothing the frosting on the side of the cake with offset spatula.
    1. Step 8: Frost the cake with the remaining buttercream. For a smooth finish, use a cake scraper or apply a crumb coat followed by a final layer of frosting (requires a second batch of frosting). Refrigerate until set.

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    smooth ganache in glass bowl.
    1. Step 9: Combine chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until smooth. Then pour over the top of the cake allowing it to drip down the sides.
    adding strawberries to top of cake.
    1. Step 10: Decorate the top with strawberries, candy, and chocolate pieces.
    slice of chocolate strawberry cake on plate with fresh strawberries on side of plate.

    Expert Tips

    Cake- If the tops of the cake bake into a dome simply use a serrated knife to slice off the dome to create a flat top.

    Frosting- If you want to make a super smooth cake like this German Chocolate Cake, double the frosting recipe and do a crumb coat, refrigerate, then do a final smooth coat. Pictures in this post show only one batch of frosting used and I find I love how it looks.

    Frosting Flavor- Adding 2-4 drops of LorAnn Strawberry Oil makes the strawberry flavor stand out. Start with only two drops, taste, and then add more. A little oil goes a long way.

    Filling- Add a layer of strawberry jam or thinly sliced strawberries between the cake layers for an extra burst of flavor!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to store Chocoalte Strawberry Cake?

    Store the cake and any cake slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keeping the air away will keep the cake tender and wonโ€™t dry out.

    How to doctor a strought bought cake mix?

    I like to add sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla, an extra egg, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. This create a tender crumb and deep chocolate flavor.

    Can I use frozen strawberries?

    Yes! Use frozen strawberries for the frosting the same as you would fresh. I don't recommend using them to decorate though.

    cross section of of chocolate cake with strawberry frosting.

    Other Valentine Recipes

    For more easy and delicious Valentine's Recipes check out my chocolate truffle cake and easy white chocolate-covered strawberries, for more easy cake recipes don't miss my strawberry shortcake cupcakes, dark chocolate buttercream frosting, or these tasty cream-filled chocolate cupcakes!

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    If you like this recipe make sure to give it a 5-star review and leave a comment down below!

    Also, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and make sure to follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

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    slice of valentine cake on plate featured image

    Chocolate Strawberry Cake

    This Easy Chocolate Strawberry Cake is quick, delicious treat with chocolate cake, homemade strawberry buttercream, and rich chocolate ganacheโ€”perfect for impressing loved ones!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin
    Author: Lisa Killian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Decorating Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 18

    Ingredients

    Cake

    • 1 box chocolate cake mix*
    • ยฝ cup vegetable oil
    • 2 tbs vanilla
    • ยพ cup sour cream
    • ยพ cup heavy cream
    • 4 eggs
    • ยผ cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional

    Strawberry Buttercream

    • ยฝ cup strawberries* about 6-8 strawberries
    • ยผ cup water
    • Pinch of salt
    • 1 ยฝ cups butter slightly softened
    • 1 ยฝ teaspoon Vanilla
    • 6 ยฝ cups powdered sugar + more if needed
    • 5 tbs heavy cream + more if needed
    • 3-4 drops LorAnn Strawberry Oil* optional but recommended
    • Neon Pink Food Gel- optional but really gives it that pink color you want

    Ganache

    • ยผ heavy cream
    • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • Strawberries Sprinkles, Crushed Chocolate, Candies as toppings (optional)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325ยฐF. Spray two 8 in cake pans with a flouring baking spray (like bakerโ€™s joy)
    • Mix together, either by hand or in a stand mixer, the oil, vanilla, sour cream, heavy cream and eggs. Then mix in the boxed cake mix, cocoa powder, and espresso powder if using.
      1 box chocolate cake mix*, ยฝ cup vegetable oil, 2 tbs vanilla, ยพ cup sour cream, ยพ cup heavy cream, 4 eggs, ยผ cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon espresso powder
    • Pour batter into cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes- or until a toothpick comes out clean. *
    • Once baked allow to cool and make your frosting.

    Strawberry Buttercream

    • In a medium sauce pan, combine water, strawberries, and salt. Heat over medium heat, mashing the strawberries as the liquid boils.
      ยฝ cup strawberries*, Pinch of salt, ยผ cup water
    • Boil until liquid is reduced to about ยผ cup, 3-4 minutes. Once at ยผ cup, remove from heat and refrigerate until cool.*
    • In a stand mixer beat butter on medium until fluffy. Add the vanilla, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until a buttercream forms.
      1 ยฝ cups butter, 1 ยฝ teaspoon Vanilla, 6 ยฝ cups powdered sugar + more if needed, 5 tbs heavy cream + more if needed
    • Add the strawberries, a few drops of strawberry oil, and a few drops of the gel food coloring.
      3-4 drops LorAnn Strawberry Oil*, Neon Pink Food Gel- optional but really gives it that pink color you want
    • Mix until fluffy. If the mixture is too runny add more powdered sugar (ยผ cup at a time), and if itโ€™s too stiff add more heavy cream (1tbs at a time).

    Frost the Cake

    • Place the first cake layer on your cake plate or board. Add a nice layer of strawberry buttercream, then place the second cake laver over that.
    • Frost the cake with strawberry buttercream* then refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to allow the buttercream to set.
    • While refrigerating the cake, make your ganache. In a microwave safe dish combine heavy cream and chocolate chips. Microwave on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and combined. Usually takes about 1 minutes.
      ยผ heavy cream, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • Pour the ganache over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Before it sets up place any candies or strawberries on top.
      Strawberries

    Notes

    Tips and Tricks
    • *If you prefer a homemade chocolate cake, use this recipe but cut it in half, itโ€™s my favorite!
    • *If you donโ€™t have the extra ingredients to doctor the box mix just follow the directions on the back of the box and bake accordingly.
    • *If you have a thermometer, the cakes will be done at an internal temperature of 205-210ยฐF
    • *Strawberry Oil can be found in the baking/decorating aisle of most grocery stores. It comes in a tiny bottle but you only need a few drops. You can also buy it online here.
    • *You can use fresh or frozen strawberries, just make sure they are thawed if using frozen.
    • *If your strawberry mixture is too chunky you can smooth it out by using an immersion blender on it.
    • *The strawberry buttercream makes enough for a single coat without a crumb coat. If you want a super smooth finish with a sharp edge (like seen here on my pink and gold cake), I recommend doubling the frosting, doing a crumb coat then a final coat.
    • *Refrigerate cake and any leftovers for up to 5 days. Itโ€™s best to keep sliced cake in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 553kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 362mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 799IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 2mg

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    Comments

      5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lisa says

      June 27, 2024 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      So good!

      Reply
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    Hey, I'm Lisa!

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