Decadent Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe

This Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake is exactly what dessert dreams are made of: ultra-moist chocolate cake, lush layers of homemade strawberry jam, and a strawberry cream cheese frosting so bursting with flavor you’ll want to eat it by the spoonful. Every slice offers a gorgeous cross-section of chocolate and strawberry, making it just as stunning as it is delicious. Whether it’s for a celebration or simply to spoil yourself, this cake always steals the show!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This gorgeous Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake calls for pure pantry staples—and a few fresh, irresistible add-ins. Each ingredient plays a starring role, so don’t be afraid to go for the best you can find for maximum flavor, color, and texture.

• Fresh or Frozen Strawberries: The homemade jam and the diced filling both rely on ripe, sweet strawberries for that burst of summery flavor—if you can, buy extra juicy ones.
• Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: This dynamic sugar duo keeps the cake rich, moist, and nicely balanced between deep sweetness and a hint of caramel notes.
• Natural Cocoa Powder: The backbone of that classic chocolate cake flavor—be sure to use natural (not Dutch-processed) to react perfectly with the baking soda and create that signature chocolate tang.
• All-Purpose Flour: Just sturdy enough to hold up those fabulous layers, but soft enough for each bite to almost melt on your tongue.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leaveners give your cakes lift and ensure a beautifully tender, fluffy texture.
• Unsalted Butter & Light-Tasting Oil: Butter brings flavor; the oil makes the cake extra moist and tender.
• Milk: Adds richness and the right amount of moisture to the chocolate cake batter—using room temperature milk helps everything combine smoothly.
• Eggs: Essential for structure and that lovely, plush crumb.
• Cream Cheese: For the dreamiest tang in your frosting—leave it out to soften for ultimate fluffiness.
• Powdered Sugar: Dissolves easily into the frosting, ensuring it’s perfectly smooth and not gritty.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors in both the cake and the frosting—don’t skip it!
• Diced & Halved Strawberries: For the filling and that eye-catching finishing touch, they add pools of juicy color and fruity pops with every bite.

Variations

You can have so much fun making this cake your own! The beauty of the Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake is how endlessly customizable it is—feel free to mix things up to fit your taste, ingredient stash, or any diet style you love.

• Lighter Cream: Swap the cream cheese frosting for stabilized whipped cream if you want something on the airier, lighter side.
• Different Berries: Raspberries or blackberries can be substituted for strawberries—or use a mix of berries for a more complex fruit flavor and gorgeous presentation.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour for a delightfully allergy-friendly dessert.
• Extra Chocolatey: Add a layer of chocolate ganache between the cakes for a deeply decadent twist.

How to Make Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake

Step 1: Make the Strawberry Jam

In a small pot, combine your strawberries, granulated sugar, and a touch of water. Bring to a gentle boil on medium-high, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. After the jam starts bubbling, let it cook down until thick and glossy—drag a spatula through, and if the jam parts before slowly coming together again, you’re golden! Let this chill completely in the fridge.

Step 2: Bake the Chocolate Cakes

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line the bottoms of two 6-inch cake pans with parchment. In a bowl, whisk your dry ingredients: flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, oil, both sugars, and eggs. Alternate adding your dry mix and milk, a little at a time, whisking just until combined. Divide the batter, smooth it out, and bake for 40–45 minutes—your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible!

Step 3: Cool and Prep the Cakes

Once baked, let the cakes rest in their pans for about 10 minutes. Run an offset spatula around the edges, then flip the cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely. For those picture-perfect layers, use a serrated knife to level any domed tops and cut each cake in half, giving you four thinner layers to work with.

Step 4: Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat softened butter until fluffy, then whip in the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low until integrated, and then blend in a generous spoonful of strawberry jam and vanilla. You’ll want this frosting to be cloud-like and easily spreadable—save a portion in a piping bag for assembly.

Step 5: Assemble the Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake

On your cake board or turntable, place the first cake layer down and pipe a frosting ring around the edge. Fill the middle with a generous dollop of strawberry jam and a sprinkle of diced strawberries. Add your next cake layer, then repeat: frosting ring, jam, berries, cake—until all four layers are stacked! Give it a quick crumb coat to seal in the stray bits, then chill to set.

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

Once chilled, frost the whole cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting, smoothing it out and swirling the top for an artisanal, bakery-style look. To finish, nestle halved strawberries on top for that wow factor. Step back and marvel—you just made a Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake completely from scratch!

How to Serve Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake

Garnishes

Classic halved strawberries are the iconic, irresistible finish—but don’t be afraid to add a handful of chocolate curls, a dusting of cocoa powder, or even fresh edible flowers if you want to really dial up the elegance. For a playful touch, a sprinkle of freeze-dried strawberries or a drizzle of chocolate ganache over the top works wonders, too!

Side Dishes

A generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a fluffy dollop of whipped cream takes Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake firmly into “special occasion” territory. For something lighter, offer a fruit salad on the side, or brew a pot of bold black tea or coffee to balance the cake’s sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Channel your inner pastry chef and present this cake on a simple white platter, letting the vibrant layers shine. For parties, cut into “naked” cake squares or mini stackers to show off those stripes. Individual jar cakes with alternating layers are both adorable and perfect for gifting or picnics—just layer up cubes of cake, strawberries, jam, and frosting in clear glasses.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake covered in the fridge (a cake dome or an overturned bowl works perfectly) for up to 3 days. The cake stays tender, and those strawberry flavors get even more intense with a little extra time to mingle.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store for up to 2 months. You can freeze the finished cake (or slices) too—chill first until firm, wrap well, and thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to serve.

Reheating

While this cake is best served at room temperature, you can bring refrigerated slices out 30 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and intensify the flavors. Avoid microwaving, which can melt the frosting and jam layers.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

No matter the occasion, the Strawberry Chocolate Layer Cake always brings out wide eyes and happy smiles—it’s as fun to make as it is to eat! Gather your ingredients, set some time aside, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a slice (or two) of this berry-laced chocolate celebration. Enjoy every luscious bite!

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