Chocolate Strawberry Cake is a decadent dessert that combines rich, moist chocolate cake with sweet, juicy strawberries and creamy frosting. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, holiday, or just want to treat yourself, this cake delivers an irresistible mix of flavors and textures. It’s a timeless classic with a romantic twist, perfect for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cake is the best of both worlds: deep chocolate flavor and the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries. It looks beautiful, tastes indulgent, and is surprisingly easy to make. Whether you choose to layer it with fresh berries and whipped cream or top it with ganache and strawberry glaze, this cake is always a showstopper. It’s ideal for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, or simply when you’re craving something special.

ingredients

Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe 10 Chocolate Strawberry Cake is a decadent dessert that combines rich, moist chocolate cake with sweet, juicy strawberries and creamy frosting. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, holiday, or just want to treat yourself, this cake delivers an irresistible mix of flavors and textures. It’s a timeless classic with a romantic twist, perfect for any occasion.

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Granulated sugar
Eggs
Milk
Vegetable oil
Vanilla extract
Boiling water or hot coffee (enhances chocolate flavor)
Fresh strawberries (sliced)
Strawberry preserves or jam (optional for added flavor)
Heavy cream or whipping cream (for frosting or topping)
Powdered sugar
Semi-sweet or dark chocolate (for ganache, optional)

directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Stir in boiling water or hot coffee carefully—the batter will be thin.
Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For the filling/frosting, whip heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
Once cakes are cool, spread a thin layer of strawberry preserves on one layer (optional), then top with whipped cream and sliced strawberries.
Add the second cake layer and frost the top with more whipped cream or ganache.
Garnish with additional strawberries. Chill before serving for best results.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 10 to 12 people.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Cooling/frosting time: 1 hour
Total time: About 2 hours

Variations

Ganache topping: Pour a glossy chocolate ganache over the top for a rich finish.
Strawberry buttercream: Use strawberry puree to flavor a buttercream frosting instead of whipped cream.
Layered trifle style: Break the cake into pieces and layer with strawberries and cream in a trifle dish.
Chocolate chips: Add chocolate chips to the batter for extra bursts of chocolate.
Mini cakes or cupcakes: Use the same batter for cupcakes or mini layer cakes.

storage/reheating

Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, covered.
Freezing: Unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw before assembling.
Reheating: This cake is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature—no reheating needed.

FAQs

Can I use a boxed cake mix?

Yes, a chocolate cake mix works fine if you want to save time. Add homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberries for a special touch.

What’s the best type of chocolate for this cake?

Use unsweetened cocoa powder in the cake and semi-sweet or dark chocolate for ganache or decoration.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. You can bake the cake layers a day ahead and store them tightly wrapped. Assemble with strawberries and cream before serving.

Will frozen strawberries work?

Fresh strawberries are best for texture and presentation, but thawed frozen strawberries can be used in the filling.

How do I keep the whipped cream from deflating?

Use cold heavy cream and chill your mixing bowl beforehand. You can also stabilize it with a bit of cornstarch or gelatin if needed.

Can I make this as a sheet cake?

Absolutely. Bake the batter in a 9×13-inch pan and top with strawberries and cream.

Is this cake overly sweet?

No—it’s balanced with the bittersweet cocoa and lightly sweetened whipped cream. You can adjust sugar levels to your taste.

Can I add other berries?

Yes, raspberries or blueberries also work beautifully in this recipe.

What’s the purpose of the hot water or coffee?

It blooms the cocoa, intensifying the chocolate flavor and keeping the cake moist.

How do I get clean slices when serving?

Chill the cake before slicing, and wipe your knife between cuts for neat presentation.

Conclusion

Chocolate Strawberry Cake is a classic dessert that brings together rich cocoa and the bright freshness of strawberries in every decadent bite. It’s as gorgeous as it is delicious, and it’s sure to become a favorite for special occasions or when you simply want to indulge. With its moist layers, creamy topping, and fruity finish, this cake is the perfect sweet treat for chocolate and berry lovers alike.

Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipe