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Slice of layered chocolate cake with strawberries on a plate.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake

Indulge in this decadent Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake, featuring moist chocolate cake layers, luscious strawberry frosting, and a rich chocolate ganache. Topped with chocolate-covered strawberries, it's a show-stopping dessert perfect for any celebration.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 1.75 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 tbsp (9 3/8 oz)
  • 1.5 cups unsweetened cocoa powder plus more for dusting the pans (4½ oz.)
  • 1 tbsp instant espresso or coffee powder
  • 1.5 cups boiling water
  • 0.75 cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cups unsalted butter at room temperature (3 sticks)
  • 2.5 cups sugar plus 2 tbsp (18 3/8 oz.)
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1.25 tsp baking soda
  • 0.75 tsp salt
Frosting
  • 3 cups fresh strawberries rinsed, hulled and coarsely chopped, divided
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1.25 cups sugar
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature (1½ cups)
Ganache
  • 12 oz bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
Decoration
  • 12 whole strawberries rinsed and dried

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Prepare pans. Combine cocoa powder, espresso powder, and boiling water. Whisk in sour cream and vanilla. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Blend in eggs. Combine dry ingredients.
  2. Add dry ingredients alternating with sour cream mixture. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 30-32 minutes. Cool in pans before inverting onto rack to cool completely.
  3. Puree half of the strawberries. Combine egg whites and sugar over simmering water until 160° F. Beat until stiff peaks form. Add butter gradually. Blend in strawberry puree. Fold in remaining chopped strawberries.
  4. Place chocolate in a bowl. Simmer cream and pour over chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
  5. Line baking sheet. Dip strawberries in ganache and transfer to sheet. Let set.
  6. Place cake layer on board. Spread frosting, then ganache. Repeat with remaining layers. Place chocolate covered strawberries around perimeter. Chill.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use high-quality bittersweet chocolate in the ganache.