This Strawberry Chocolate Cake is rich, fudgy, fruity, and beautifully layered with fresh strawberry flavor. It features soft chocolate cake layers, homemade strawberry jam, fresh diced strawberries, and a creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting.
The combination of deep chocolate and bright strawberries makes this cake perfect for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, spring gatherings, summer parties, or any special occasion. It looks impressive, but the decoration is simple and natural with fresh strawberries.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Chocolate Cake
- Rich and fudgy chocolate cake layers
- Homemade strawberry jam filling
- Fresh strawberries between each layer
- Creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting
- Beautiful but simple decoration
- Perfect for birthdays and celebrations
- Great balance of chocolate and fruit flavor
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Jam
- 500 g strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 50 g granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Chocolate Cake
- 190 g all-purpose flour
- 75 g natural cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 115 g unsalted butter, melted
- 100 g light-tasting oil
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 100 g brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 330 g milk, room temperature
For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
- 250 g cream cheese, softened
- 115 g unsalted butter, softened
- 100 g powdered sugar
- 70 g strawberry jam
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Filling and Decoration
- 200 g fresh strawberries, finely diced
- 7 strawberries, halved for decoration
Equipment Needed
- Two 6-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer
- Piping bag
- Offset spatula
- Cake scraper
- Wire cooling rack
- Serrated knife
How to Make Strawberry Chocolate Cake
Step 1: Make the Strawberry Jam
Add strawberries, sugar, and water to a small saucepan.
Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to boil.
Continue cooking until the strawberries break down and the mixture thickens into a jam-like consistency.
The jam should slowly come back together when you drag a spatula through it.
Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until completely cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Batter
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line the bottoms of two 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined.
Add the eggs and whisk until smooth.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk, mixing just until combined after each addition.
Step 3: Bake the Cake
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
Smooth the tops with a spatula.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes.
Run a spatula around the edges, then turn the cakes out onto a wire rack.
Cool completely before assembling.
Step 4: Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the softened butter until creamy.
Add the softened cream cheese and beat until smooth.
Add powdered sugar and mix on low speed until combined.
Add strawberry jam and vanilla extract.
Beat until creamy and smooth.
Transfer a small amount of frosting to a piping bag for assembling the cake.
Step 5: Prepare the Cake Layers
Use a serrated knife to level the cakes if needed.
Cut each cake in half horizontally to create four thin layers.
Step 6: Fill the Cake
Place the first cake layer on a cake stand or turntable.
Pipe a ring of frosting around the edge to hold the filling inside.
Spread about 4 tablespoons strawberry jam in the center.
Add a layer of finely diced strawberries.
Top with the next cake layer.
Repeat until all layers are stacked.
Step 7: Frost and Decorate
Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting around the cake.
Chill briefly if needed.
Add the final layer of frosting and smooth the sides with a cake scraper.
Use an offset spatula to create soft swirls.
Decorate with halved fresh strawberries.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Chocolate Cake
Use natural cocoa powder for the best reaction with baking soda.
Make sure the eggs and milk are at room temperature.
Cool the jam completely before using it in the cake.
Do not overmix the cake batter.
Use fresh strawberries for the filling and decoration.
Chill the cake before slicing for cleaner layers.
Storage Instructions
Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Let slices sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving for the best texture.
You can freeze leftovers for up to 1 month. Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Store-Bought Strawberry Jam?
Yes. Store-bought jam works well, especially if it is thick.
Can I Make This Cake in 8-Inch Pans?
Yes, but the recipe should be scaled up for larger pans. You can double the recipe for easier measuring.
Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?
Frozen strawberries work well for the jam, but fresh strawberries are best for the filling and decoration.
Why Is My Frosting Runny?
The butter or cream cheese may be too warm, or the jam may be too loose. Chill the frosting briefly before using.
Can I Make This Cake Ahead of Time?
Yes. Bake the cake layers and make the jam a day ahead, then assemble the cake the next day.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this cake with:
- Fresh strawberries
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Hot coffee
- Iced latte
- Chocolate drizzle
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per slice:
- Calories: 797
- Carbohydrates: 84g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 51g
- Sugar: 55g
Nutrition may vary depending on ingredients and slice size.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Chocolate Cake is the perfect dessert for anyone who loves the classic pairing of chocolate and strawberries. The fudgy chocolate cake, juicy strawberry filling, and creamy strawberry frosting create a beautiful cake that tastes as good as it looks.
It is rich, fruity, elegant, and perfect for sharing at any celebration.
Pinterest Description
🍓🍫 This Strawberry Chocolate Cake is rich, fudgy, and layered with homemade strawberry jam, fresh strawberries, and creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting! It’s the perfect chocolate strawberry dessert for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, spring parties, or any special occasion. Beautiful, fruity, and irresistible! ✨
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