This Strawberry Chocolate Cake is a delicious and indulgent dessert made with rich, fudgy chocolate cake layers, homemade strawberry jam, and strawberry cream cheese frosting. The combination of deep chocolate and fresh strawberries creates the perfect balance of flavors, making it a treat for both chocolate and fruit lovers. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just craving a decadent dessert, this cake is sure to impress.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Jam:
- 500g fresh or frozen strawberries
- 50g granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 190g all-purpose flour
- 75g natural cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 115g unsalted butter, melted
- 100g light-tasting oil
- 100g granulated sugar
- 100g brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 330g milk, room temperature
For the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 250g cream cheese, softened
- 115g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g powdered sugar
- 70g strawberry jam (from above)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling and Toppings:
- 200g strawberries, finely diced
- 7 strawberries, halved for decoration
Directions
-
Make the Strawberry Jam:
In a small pot, combine strawberries, granulated sugar, and water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a boil. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens into a jam-like consistency. Transfer the jam to a small bowl and let it cool in the fridge. -
Make the Chocolate Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottoms of two 6″ round 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 together melted butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs and mix well. Alternate adding half of the flour mixture and half of the milk, mixing until just combined.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean. Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. -
Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl until creamy. Add powdered sugar, strawberry jam, and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth. -
Assemble the Cake:
Once the cakes have cooled, level the tops with a serrated knife and cut each cake in half to create four layers.
Place the first layer on a cake turntable, pipe a ring of frosting around the edge, and fill with about 4 tablespoons of strawberry jam. Add diced strawberries on top and smooth out the layer.
Repeat with the remaining layers and frosting. Apply a crumb coat to the entire cake and refrigerate for 20 minutes to set.
Apply a final layer of frosting, smoothing it out with a cake scraper. Decorate the top with halved strawberries.
Nutrients
- Calories: 797
- Carbohydrates: 84g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 51g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 139mg
- Sodium: 410mg
- Potassium: 452mg
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 55g
- Vitamin A: 1275IU
- Vitamin C: 52mg
- Calcium: 166mg
- Iron: 3mg
The Magic of Combining Chocolate and Strawberries
Chocolate and strawberries are a classic pairing that has stood the test of time. The rich, bittersweet flavor of chocolate contrasts beautifully with the bright, slightly tart sweetness of strawberries, creating a flavor balance that feels both indulgent and refreshing. In this cake, the combination of fudgy chocolate cake layers with homemade strawberry jam and creamy frosting takes this pairing to the next level. The chocolate cake itself provides a deep, satisfying base, while the strawberry jam and frosting infuse each layer with a burst of fruitiness that lightens and enhances the rich chocolate. This balance of flavors is what makes the cake so irresistible, and it appeals to a wide range of palates, whether you’re a die-hard chocolate lover or a fan of fresh fruit desserts.
Making the Homemade Strawberry Jam
The homemade strawberry jam used in this cake is a key component, adding a natural sweetness and a fresh fruit flavor that pairs perfectly with the chocolate cake. By making your own strawberry jam, you can control the sweetness and consistency, ensuring that it complements the richness of the chocolate cake without overwhelming it. The process of cooking fresh or frozen strawberries with sugar and a bit of water creates a thick, jam-like consistency that’s perfect for spreading between the layers of the cake. The homemade jam also allows you to enjoy the pure taste of strawberries, without any preservatives or artificial flavors that store-bought jams might contain. The freshness and vibrancy of the jam enhance the overall flavor of the cake, creating a delicious contrast to the dense, fudgy chocolate layers.
The Richness of the Chocolate Cake Layers
The chocolate cake itself is the heart of this dessert, providing a fudgy, moist, and decadent base for the layers of strawberry jam and frosting. Made with high-quality cocoa powder, this cake is deep in flavor and rich in texture. The use of both butter and oil in the cake batter helps achieve a moist crumb that is tender yet dense, allowing the cake to hold up well when layered with the jam and frosting. The addition of both granulated and brown sugar adds a complexity to the sweetness, while the combination of baking powder and baking soda ensures the cake rises perfectly, with a soft, light texture that contrasts with the richness of the chocolate. These cake layers are truly the perfect foundation for the other elements of the cake and make each bite a satisfying experience.
The Creaminess of Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
The strawberry cream cheese frosting is where this cake truly shines. This frosting is creamy, tangy, and perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the strawberry jam, offering a smooth and luxurious topping that elevates the entire dessert. The combination of cream cheese and butter creates a rich, velvety texture that’s perfect for spreading and decorating. The strawberry jam added to the frosting enhances its fruitiness, making it a perfect match for the chocolate cake layers. The tanginess of the cream cheese cuts through the sweetness of the jam, ensuring that the frosting doesn’t become too sugary, but rather provides a smooth, balanced layer of flavor that complements both the chocolate cake and the homemade strawberry jam. This frosting is the perfect finishing touch to the cake, creating a beautiful contrast between the rich chocolate and the light, fruity layers.
Layering the Cake for Maximum Flavor
The way the cake is assembled plays a significant role in how the flavors come together. By layering the cake with both strawberry jam and strawberry cream cheese frosting, you get a perfect balance of textures and flavors in every bite. The strawberry jam provides a burst of fruity freshness that contrasts with the fudgy chocolate cake, while the creamy frosting adds richness and depth to the overall flavor profile. The cake is then finished off with fresh strawberry halves on top, which not only enhance the cake’s flavor but also make it visually stunning. These layers ensure that every slice of cake contains a bit of everything: moist chocolate cake, creamy frosting, and fresh, fruity jam.
Decorating the Cake
Decoration is the final step that takes this cake from delicious to impressive. The use of fresh strawberry halves on top of the cake not only makes it visually appealing but also adds a final layer of freshness and sweetness to the cake. The vibrant red color of the strawberries creates a striking contrast against the chocolate cake and the pale pink frosting, making the cake look as beautiful as it tastes. If desired, you can also add a drizzle of the homemade strawberry jam over the top for an extra touch of sweetness and a glossy finish. The decorations not only elevate the presentation but also add a finishing touch that ties together the chocolate and strawberry flavors.
Perfect for Any Occasion
This Strawberry Chocolate Cake is versatile enough to be served at a variety of occasions. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a dinner party, or simply treating yourself to a decadent dessert, this cake is sure to impress. Its rich, indulgent layers make it a showstopper at any gathering, while the balanced combination of chocolate and strawberries makes it appealing to a wide range of tastes. The cake can also be made in advance, allowing you to prepare it the day before an event and have it ready to serve when needed. The fact that it combines both chocolate and fresh fruit makes it a perfect choice for those who love both flavors, and the homemade elements of the jam and frosting give the cake a personal, homemade touch that elevates it beyond standard store-bought desserts.
A Decadent, Yet Balanced Dessert
One of the best things about this Strawberry Chocolate Cake is its ability to feel both indulgent and balanced at the same time. The chocolate cake layers are rich and fudgy, providing the perfect decadent base, while the strawberry jam and cream cheese frosting add lightness and a refreshing fruitiness to the cake. This balance ensures that the cake doesn’t feel overly heavy or cloyingly sweet, but rather offers a satisfying combination of flavors and textures that is enjoyable in every bite. It’s the perfect dessert for those who want to enjoy a sweet treat without feeling overwhelmed by excessive sweetness, and the combination of chocolate and strawberries makes it a universally loved flavor pairing.
Conclusion
The Strawberry Chocolate Cake is an exceptional dessert that combines rich, fudgy chocolate cake with fresh, fruity strawberry jam and a creamy, tangy strawberry cream cheese frosting. This cake is the perfect treat for any occasion, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures that will satisfy both chocolate and fruit lovers. The homemade strawberry jam and frosting add a personal touch, while the beautiful decorations of fresh strawberries make the cake both visually stunning and delicious. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving something indulgent, this cake is sure to impress and become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. Its balance of richness, freshness, and sweetness makes it the ultimate dessert for any chocolate and strawberry enthusiast.