Name: Strawberry Chocolate Cake: The Best Recipe for a Decadent Treat
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: PT-491665H41M34S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups granulated sugar; 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp salt; 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup hot coffee or boiling water; ; 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tbsp lemon juice; ; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 cup heavy cream (plus more as needed)

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Are you tired of dry, flavorless cakes that disappoint your guests? There’s nothing worse than spending hours in the kitchen only to end up with a dessert that falls flat. This Strawberry Chocolate Cake recipe promises a moist, rich, and utterly decadent treat that will have everyone asking for seconds. The combination of fresh strawberries and deep chocolate flavors creates an irresistible contrast that melts in your mouth.

As a pastry chef with over a decade of experience specializing in fruit-chocolate pairings, I’ve perfected this Strawberry Chocolate Cake through countless iterations. The secret lies in the balance between the tart sweetness of seasonal strawberries and the complex richness of quality chocolate.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything from selecting the perfect ingredients to mastering the baking techniques that ensure success. You’ll discover expert tips for cake moisture, frosting consistency, and decorative finishing touches that will make your cake both delicious and visually stunning.

Why This Strawberry Chocolate Cake Recipe Works

Uses simple, everyday ingredients that create extraordinary flavor
Balances sweet and tart notes perfectly with real strawberry puree
Creates a moist texture that stays fresh for days
Works beautifully for special occasions or weekend baking projects
Offers impressive presentation with minimal decorating skills required

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Best Chocolate Selection

For a truly exceptional Strawberry Chocolate Cake, choose high-quality cocoa powder with at least 70% cocoa content. Dutch-processed cocoa will provide a smoother, deeper chocolate flavor than natural cocoa powder. For chocolate chips or chunks within the batter, semi-sweet varieties balance perfectly with the sweet-tart strawberry components.

Strawberry Selection Tips

Look for bright red, fully ripe strawberries with a sweet aroma. Organic strawberries often deliver superior flavor for this cake. If fresh strawberries aren’t in season, premium frozen strawberries (thawed and drained) can work wonderfully in the puree and filling.

Ingredient Substitutions

Can’t find certain ingredients? Here are some perfect swaps for your Strawberry Chocolate Cake:

Replace buttermilk with regular milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar
Substitute butter with equal parts oil for extra moisture
Use frozen strawberries (thawed) instead of fresh when out of season

Ingredients & Prep for Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Strawberry Chocolate Cake: The Best Recipe for a Decadent Treat

Cake Batter Essentials

2 cups all-purpose flour
1¾ cups granulated sugar
¾ cup premium cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee or hot water

Strawberry Components

2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced)
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Strawberry Frosting

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3½ cups powdered sugar
½ cup cocoa powder
¼ cup strawberry reduction (from prepared strawberries)
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

If you’re looking for more delicious recipes that combine fruit and rich flavors, check out my Best Thai Basil Beef Mince Spring Rolls recipe for another fantastic flavor combination!

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Pre-Cooking Prep for Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
Prepare strawberry reduction: In a saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until reduced by half. Set aside to cool.
Sift together all dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt) in a large bowl.

Baking Method for Strawberry Chocolate Cake

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed.
Slowly add hot coffee/water and mix until just combined (batter will be thin).
Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Doneness Check for Strawberry Chocolate Cake

The cake is done when:

A toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs
The edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan
The top springs back when lightly pressed in the center

Cooling and Frosting Your Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes.
Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.
For the frosting: Beat butter until creamy, then add powdered sugar and cocoa powder gradually.
Mix in cooled strawberry reduction, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
When cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate and spread with 1/3 of the frosting.
Add fresh sliced strawberries on top of the frosting layer.
Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with remaining frosting.

For more stunning dessert ideas and inspiration, browse our collection on Pinterest where you’ll find hundreds of creative cake recipes to try next!

Pro Tips for Perfect Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Avoiding Dry Cake Issues in Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added (this develops gluten and creates toughness)
Measure flour by spooning it into measuring cups, not scooping directly
Use room temperature ingredients for better incorporation
Add 1 tablespoon mayonnaise to the batter for extra moisture (trust me, you won’t taste it!)

Tool Recommendations for Strawberry Chocolate Cake Success

Digital kitchen scale for precise ingredient measurement
Stand mixer with paddle attachment for perfect cake batter consistency
Offset spatula for smooth, professional frosting application
Cake turntable for easier decorating
Serrated knife for level cake layers

Storage & Serving Tips for Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Store at room temperature under a cake dome for up to 3 days
Refrigerate for up to 5 days, but bring to room temperature before serving
Freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months (wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil)

Flavor Variations for Strawberry Chocolate Cake

White Chocolate Strawberry Variation

Replace the cocoa powder with additional flour and add 1 cup of melted white chocolate to the batter. The creamy sweetness of white chocolate creates a beautiful contrast with the tartness of strawberries.

Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake

Transform this recipe by adding a layer of chocolate mousse between the cake layers for an extra decadent texture contrast.

Gluten-Free Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Ingredient	Standard Recipe	Gluten-Free Alternative
All-purpose flour	2 cups	2 cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour
Baking powder	1 tsp	1¼ tsp (GF version needs more leavening)
Xanthan gum	None	½ tsp (if not included in your GF flour)
Other ingredients	As listed	Same measurements

Serving Suggestions for Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Pair with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a classic contrast
Serve with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and additional fresh berries
Accompany with a shot of espresso to enhance the chocolate notes
For a special occasion, add chocolate-dipped strawberries as a garnish
Drizzle individual slices with warm chocolate ganache just before serving

FAQs about Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Can I make this cake in advance for a special event?
Yes! You can bake the layers up to 2 days in advance and store them wrapped tightly at room temperature. Alternatively, freeze the layers for up to 2 months. The frosting can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated, then brought to room temperature before assembling.

How can I intensify the strawberry flavor?
For stronger strawberry flavor, use strawberry extract (1 tsp) in addition to the strawberry reduction, or add freeze-dried strawberry powder (2 tbsp) to the frosting.

Can I turn this into cupcakes instead of a layer cake?
Absolutely! This recipe makes approximately 24 cupcakes. Bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes. Core each cupcake and fill with strawberry preserves before frosting.

Will the cake work at high altitude?
For elevations above 3,500 feet, reduce sugar by 2 tablespoons, increase flour by 2 tablespoons, and reduce baking powder and soda by ¼ teaspoon each.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Chocolate Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a celebration of complementary flavors and textures that create a truly memorable experience. The rich chocolate layers provide the perfect canvas for bright strawberry notes, resulting in a cake that’s sophisticated yet comforting.

Now that you have all the secrets to making this showstopper, it’s time to head to the kitchen and create your own masterpiece! Remember that the key to success lies in quality ingredients, proper techniques, and the confidence to make this recipe your own.

Join the thousands of home bakers who’ve made this their go-to special occasion cake. Share your creations on social media and tag us—we love seeing your personal twists on this beloved recipe!

Don’t stop here—explore our other fruit-forward chocolate recipes to continue your baking journey with equally impressive results!

Strawberry Chocolate Cake: The Best Recipe for a Decadent Treat