Description
This nostalgic triple-layer cake combines the best of all worlds: a rich chocolate base, fluffy vanilla middle, and strawberry-infused top layer — all frosted with creamy vanilla buttercream. It’s soft, elegant, and absolutely irresistible!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- For Chocolate Layer: 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tbsp milk
- For Strawberry Layer: 2 tbsp strawberry puree or 1 tbsp strawberry jam, optional pink food coloring
- For Frosting: 1 ½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter, softened, 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 3–4 tbsp heavy cream or milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round pans with parchment.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk until fully combined.
- Divide the batter evenly into 3 bowls.
- Stir cocoa powder into one bowl for the chocolate layer.
- Keep one plain for the vanilla layer.
- Mix strawberry puree and food coloring into the third bowl.
- Pour each batter into its prepared pan.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Beat butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk until fluffy and smooth.
- If desired, divide frosting and tint one portion pink for decoration.
- Place the chocolate layer on a serving plate; spread a thin layer of frosting.
- Add the vanilla layer, frost again, then add the strawberry layer on top.
- Frost the entire cake smoothly, then pipe decorative swirls or rosettes on top.
- Chill for 30 minutes before slicing for clean layers.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
- For a more intense strawberry flavor, use fresh strawberry puree.
- Chilling the cake helps the frosting set and makes slicing easier.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg