Chocolate Strawberry Drip Cake 🍫🍓
Indulge yourself in the rich flavors of our Chocolate Strawberry Drip Cake! This delightful dessert combines layers of soft, chocolatey cake with a luscious strawberry filling, frosted with a creamy buttercream and topped with a decadent chocolate ganache. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or just a sweet treat!
Why make this recipe?
Making this Chocolate Strawberry Drip Cake is a great way to impress friends and family with your baking skills. The combination of chocolate and strawberries is a classic that pleases all palates, making it a versatile cake for any occasion. Plus, every bite offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures that are simply irresistible!
How to prepare Chocolate Strawberry Drip Cake
Ingredients:
- 200g (1 1⁄2 cups) all-purpose flour 🥣
- 75g (2⁄3 cup) unsweetened cocoa powder 🍫
- 1 1⁄2 tsp baking powder 🥄
- 1 1⁄2 tsp baking soda 🥄
- 1⁄2 tsp salt 🧂
- 250g (1 1⁄4 cups) granulated sugar 🍬
- 2 large eggs 🥚
- 240ml (1 cup) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar) 🥛
- 120ml (1⁄2 cup) vegetable oil 🌿
- 1 tsp vanilla extract 🍦
- 240ml (1 cup) hot coffee or hot water ☕️
- 300g (2 cups) fresh strawberries, chopped 🍓
- 3 tbsp sugar for filling 🍬
- 1 tbsp lemon juice for filling 🍋
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water for filling 🌊
- 250g (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temp 🧈
- 400g (3 1⁄3 cups) powdered sugar 🍬
- 3 tbsp strawberry puree 🍓
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk for frosting 🥛
- 150g (5 oz) dark chocolate, chopped for ganache 🍫
- 150ml (2⁄3 cup) heavy cream for ganache 🥛
- Optional: Fresh strawberries and chocolate curls for decoration 🍓🍫
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well incorporated.
- Combine Both Mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Mix in the hot coffee or water until smooth.
- Bake the Cakes: Divide the batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let them cool completely in the pans.
- Prepare the Strawberry Filling: In a saucepan, combine chopped strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water. Cook over medium heat until thickened. Allow to cool.
- Make the Buttercream: In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Mix in strawberry puree and heavy cream until the desired consistency.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes are cool, layer them with strawberry filling and frosting. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream frosting.
- Prepare the Ganache: Heat heavy cream until just boiling, pour it over the chopped dark chocolate, and let it sit for a minute. Stir until smooth, then let it cool slightly.
- Drip the Ganache: Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Decorate with fresh strawberries and chocolate curls if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy!
How to serve Chocolate Strawberry Drip Cake
Slice the Chocolate Strawberry Drip Cake into generous pieces. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Serve it at room temperature for the best flavors.
How to store Chocolate Strawberry Drip Cake
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it, wrapped well in plastic wrap, for up to a month.
Tips for preparing Chocolate Strawberry Drip Cake
- Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature for the best mixing results.
- If the ganache is too thick, add a little more cream until you reach the desired pouring consistency.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of liqueur to your ganache or frosting.
Variations
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap out the buttercream with a cream cheese frosting for a tangy twist.
- Add Nuts: Incorporate chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.
- Mocha Flavor: Use espresso instead of hot water for a mocha-flavored cake.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen strawberries for the filling?
Yes, just make sure to thaw and drain them before using.
2. How do I prevent my cake from sticking to the pan?
Ensure to properly grease and flour the pans, or consider using parchment paper at the bottom for easy removal.
3. Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake and frost the cake a day in advance. Just store it in the fridge and take it out an hour before serving to allow it to come to room temperature.
Enjoy your delicious Chocolate Strawberry Drip Cake! 🎂🍫🍓