Looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s both decadent and refreshing? This Chocolate Strawberry Cake is exactly what your table needs. With rich layers of moist chocolate cake, fresh strawberry filling, and fluffy strawberry buttercream, it’s the perfect marriage of flavor and texture.
There’s a reason the combination of chocolate and strawberries never goes out of style. This Chocolate Strawberry Cake celebrates that classic pairing with a homemade twist that feels both indulgent and fresh. Whether you're baking for Valentine's Day, a birthday, or just a weekend treat, this cake makes any occasion feel special.
What sets this Chocolate Strawberry Cake apart is how easy it is to follow—yet the result looks like something straight from a high-end bakery. We use real strawberries, not artificial flavors, so every bite bursts with juicy sweetness that balances beautifully against the rich cocoa base.
The cake itself is deeply chocolatey and incredibly moist, thanks to carefully tested ingredients that work behind the scenes. Layered with a bright strawberry compote and topped with smooth, strawberry-infused buttercream, this dessert offers a delightful contrast without ever feeling too heavy.
Trust us—once you try this chocolate strawberry cake , it’ll become your go-to for celebrations. Beautiful to look at, delicious to eat, and simple enough for home bakers to master, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Why This Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe Stands Out?
This chocolate strawberry cake is inspired by the beloved chocolate-covered strawberry—romantic, nostalgic, and always a crowd-pleaser. It brings that iconic flavor duo to life in cake form, creating a dessert that feels both elegant and comforting.
Unlike traditional chocolate cakes that can be overly rich or too sweet, this chocolate strawberry cake is perfectly balanced. The moist layers are rich in cocoa flavor without being heavy, and the fresh strawberry filling adds a burst of natural sweetness and juiciness in every bite.
A silky chocolate ganache coats the top, offering a luxurious finish that ties it all together. It’s a dessert that’s as beautiful to serve as it is delicious to eat.
This chocolate strawberry cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a handful of fresh berries, or even a cold glass of milk. It’s ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, or any time you want to elevate a family gathering with something homemade and heartfelt.
Prefer something more portable? This recipe also adapts beautifully into cupcakes for individual servings—same rich flavor, same stunning presentation, in a grab-and-go form.
Whether you're celebrating or just craving something special, this chocolate strawberry cake delivers on taste, texture, and timeless charm.
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Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Large eggs
- Buttermilk
- Strong black coffee
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
For the Fresh Strawberry Filling:
- Fresh strawberries
- Granulated sugar
- Cornstarch
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Buttercream Frosting:
- Unsalted butter
- Powdered sugar
- Strawberry puree
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- Heavy cream
- Dark chocolate
- Butter
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare and Bake the Chocolate Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and dust with cocoa powder
- Mix dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt) in large bowl
- Beat eggs, then add buttermilk, cooled coffee, oil, and vanilla in separate bowl
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined
- Divide batter between pans and bake 28-32 minutes
- Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks
Make the Strawberry Filling and Buttercream
- Cook sliced strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla in saucepan 5-7 minutes until thickened
- Let strawberry filling cool completely
- Blend fresh strawberries into smooth puree
- Beat softened butter until fluffy (3 minutes)
- Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with strawberry puree and cream
Assemble Your Chocolate Strawberry Masterpiece
- Place one cake layer on serving plate
- Spread half the strawberry buttercream on top
- Add cooled strawberry filling, leaving ½-inch border
- Top with second cake layer and frost entire cake
- Heat cream and pour over chopped chocolate for ganache, stir until smooth
- Drizzle ganache over cake or serve alongside slices
- Refrigerate assembled cake 2 hours before serving
- Prepare and Bake the Chocolate Cake: Prepare and bake two chocolate cake layers in round pans until set and moist.
- Make the Strawberry Filling and Buttercream: Cook the strawberry filling and whip up creamy buttercream with fresh puree.
- Make the Strawberry Filling and Buttercream: Spread buttercream and strawberry filling between cake layers and stack them.
Equipment For Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Must-Have Tools:
- Two 9-inch round cake pans (light-colored aluminum preferred)
- Electric mixer (stand mixer best for frosting)
- Wire cooling racks
- Offset spatula for smooth frosting
- Fine-mesh strainer for strawberry puree
Budget Alternatives:
- Use mixing bowls turned upside down as cake stands
- Large knife instead of offset spatula
- Plastic wrap can substitute for parchment paper
Expert Cooking Tips and Tricks
- Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and texture
- Test oven temperature with thermometer - even 25 degrees off affects results
- Look for moist crumbs on toothpick, not wet batter or completely clean
- If buttercream looks curdled, keep beating - it usually comes together
- Let cake batter rest 5 minutes before baking for extra moisture
- Freeze cake layers wrapped for up to 3 months
Recipe Variations
- Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes: Divide batter among 24 cupcake liners, bake 18-20 minutes
- Keto-Friendly: Replace flour with almond flour, substitute sugar with erythritol
- Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, add xanthan gum if needed
- Dairy-Free: Use plant-based milk and vegan butter substitutes
- Valentine's Day Special: Add red food coloring to buttercream, cut cake into heart shapes
- Strawberry Shortcake Style: Skip ganache, add whipped cream layers with fresh berries
Storage
Refrigerator Storage:
- Covered cake stays fresh 5 days refrigerated
- Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving
Freezing Instructions:
- Wrap unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap, then foil - freeze 3 months
- Frosted cake can be frozen 1 month - freeze uncovered first, then wrap
Make-Ahead Strategy:
- Bake cake layers 2 days ahead, store covered at room temperature
- Make strawberry filling up to 3 days ahead
- Assemble day of serving for optimal freshness
The Sweet Little Secret Behind My Easy Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe
It started with a late-night craving and a bowl of overripe strawberries I didn’t want to waste. I grabbed a box of cocoa, a handful of pantry basics, and told myself I’d just “experiment.” What came out of the oven was pure magic—a moist, chocolatey cake with bursts of fresh strawberry flavor in every bite. The secret? I mix mashed strawberries into the batter, not just between the layers. It keeps the cake incredibly tender and adds that subtle berry sweetness that makes people ask, “What’s in this?” Now, this easy chocolate strawberry cake recipe is my not-so-secret weapon for birthdays, last-minute get-togethers, or just a quiet Sunday indulgence.
FAQ
What was Julia Child's favorite cake?
Julia Child's favorite cake was her classic French chocolate cake, specifically the "Reine de Saba" (Queen of Sheba cake) from her cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." This rich, almond-chocolate cake became her signature dessert. While she loved chocolate cakes, our chocolate strawberry cake recipe captures that same indulgent spirit with added fresh strawberry flavors that would have delighted this culinary legend.
Why is it called depression cake?
Depression cake got its name during the 1930s Great Depression when families couldn't afford expensive ingredients like eggs, butter, or milk. Also called "Wacky Cake" or "War Cake," this chocolate cake used simple pantry staples like flour, sugar, cocoa, and water. Our chocolate strawberry cake recipe modernizes this concept while maintaining that same moist, rich texture that made depression cake so beloved.
Do strawberry and chocolate go together?
Yes, strawberry and chocolate are a perfect flavor combination! The sweet, fruity tartness of strawberries beautifully balances chocolate's rich, slightly bitter notes. This pairing is popular in desserts like chocolate-covered strawberries and strawberry chocolate cake. Our chocolate strawberry cake recipe showcases this classic duo with fresh strawberry filling and rich chocolate layers that complement each other perfectly for an irresistible dessert experience.
What is the secret to moist chocolate cake?
The secret to moist chocolate cake includes using coffee (enhances chocolate flavor), buttermilk (adds tenderness), and oil instead of butter (retains moisture longer). Don't overbake - look for moist crumbs on a toothpick, not completely clean. Our chocolate strawberry cake recipe uses these techniques plus fresh strawberry filling that adds natural moisture, creating an incredibly tender and flavorful cake every time.
Conclusion: Your Chocolate Strawberry Cake Journey Starts Here
This chocolate strawberry cake recipe is proof that elegance can be easy. With every bite of its rich chocolate layers, fresh strawberry filling, and velvety buttercream, you're not just baking a dessert—you're creating a memory. It’s a recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a showstopping treat, perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just because.
Whether you’re a first-time baker or a seasoned pro, this chocolate strawberry cake recipe offers the perfect balance of beauty and flavor. It’s one of our most loved recent recipes, and once you try it, you’ll see why.
Looking for more dessert inspiration? Don’t miss our Southern favorite, the Recipe for Pig Pickin Cake, bursting with citrusy goodness, or try something creamy and unexpected like our Easy Pistachio Cheesecake Recipe—a delightful twist on a classic.
So go ahead: gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and make magic happen. Then snap a photo of your creation and tag us—we’d love to see how your chocolate strawberry cake turns out. After all, the best recipes are the ones you get to share.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Chocolate Strawberry Layer Cake
Equipment
- 2 9-inch round cake pans Light-colored aluminum preferred
- 1 Electric mixer Stand mixer best for buttercream
- 2 Wire cooling racks
- 1 Offset spatula For smooth frosting
- 1 Fine-mesh strainer For strawberry puree
- 1 Saucepan For cooking strawberry filling
- 1 Mixing bowl set For dry and wet ingredients
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1.5 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1.5 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 Large eggs
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 1 cup Strong black coffee Cooled
- 0.5 cup Vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Strawberry Filling
- 2 cups Fresh strawberries Sliced
- 0.25 cup Granulated sugar
- 1.5 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Strawberry Buttercream
- 1 cup Unsalted butter Softened
- 4 cups Powdered sugar
- 0.5 cup Strawberry puree Fresh blended
- 2 tablespoon Heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- Salt Pinch
Chocolate Ganache
- 0.5 cup Heavy cream Heated
- 4 oz Dark chocolate Chopped
- 1 tablespoon Butter
Instructions
- Prepare pans & preheat oven
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Mix wet ingredients.
- Combine batters and pour into pans.
- Bake for 28–32 minutes and cool cake layers.
- Cook strawberry filling until thickened.
- Make strawberry buttercream frosting.
- Assemble cake: layer cake, filling, and frosting.
- Make and apply ganache over the cake.
- Chill the cake for at least 2 hours before serving.
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