Description
A decadent Chocolate Strawberry Dream Cake featuring layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy vanilla custard, and fresh strawberries, all topped with luscious chocolate ganache.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot coffee or hot water
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 8 oz (225 g) semisweet or milk chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp butter (for shine)
- 2 cups (300 g) fresh strawberries, halved
- 6–8 chocolate truffles or Ferrero Rocher (for topping)
- Extra strawberries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) square pans (or bake in one large sheet pan and slice later).
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Slowly pour in hot coffee and mix until fully combined (the batter will be thin). Bake for 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before slicing into layers.
- In a saucepan, heat milk until steaming (not boiling). In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly pour hot milk into the yolk mixture while whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and butter. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface and chill until set.
- Heat heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit 1 minute. Stir until smooth, then mix in butter for shine. Let cool slightly until thick but pourable.
- Slice each cooled cake layer horizontally for thinner layers (optional). Place one cake layer at the base of a loaf pan lined with parchment. Spread a layer of custard and arrange halved strawberries over it. Add another cake layer and repeat until you reach the top. Pour chocolate ganache over the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Chill for 2–3 hours or overnight to set.
- Top with whole strawberries and chocolate truffles. Optionally, drizzle more ganache or sprinkle chocolate shavings.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality chocolate for the ganache.
- Chilling the cake overnight enhances the flavors.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg