Best 20 Chocolate Strawberry Cake Recipes

CHOCOLATE-STRAWBERRY CELEBRATION CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Combine the first seven ingredients; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Transfer to two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans., Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 28-32 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a large bowl, cream butter, confectioner's sugar and cocoa until light and fluffy. Beat in milk until smooth. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake., For ganache, place chocolate in a small bowl. Heat cream just to a boil; pour over chocolate and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over top of cake, allowing ganache to drape down the sides. Arrange strawberries on top of cake. If desired, brush jam onto strawberries.

STRAWBERRY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix crumbs and butter to blend thoroughly. Press evenly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Arrange strawberry halves around the pan side-by-side, pointed ends up, with cut sides against the side of pan; set aside.
• Place chocolate chips in blender container. Pour water and corn syrup into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 minute. Immediately pour over chocolate chips and blend until smooth. Pour into a mixing bowl and cool to room temperature.
• While chocolate cools, whip 1 1/2 cups of the cream to form stiff peaks. Use a rubber spatula or large whisk to fold 1/3 of the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate to lighten it. Gently fold in the remaining whipped cream until mixture is thoroughly blended. Transfer the mousse into the prepared pan and smooth the top. The points of the strawberries might extend about the chocolate mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours.
• Up to 2 hours before serving, in a medium mixing bowl, beat remaining 1/2 cup of cream to form soft peaks. Add sugar. Beat to form stiff peaks. Remove the side of the springform pan and place the cake on a serving plate. Pipe or dollop whipped cream onto top of cake. Arrange remaining halved strawberries on whipped cream. To serve, cut into wedges with thin knife, wiping blade between cuts.

STRAWBERRY-WHITE CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Line three greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper and grease paper; set aside., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the extracts. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk and water., Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in chocolate. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Pour into prepared pans., Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks; gently peel off waxed paper., For frosting, in a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in jam. Spread between layers and over top of cake. Store in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Lightly coat the insides of 3 (9 by 1 1/2-inch) cake pans with melted butter. Line each pan with parchment paper, then lightly coat the parchment with more melted butter. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Heat 1-inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat. Place remaining butter and 8 ounces semisweet chocolate in the top half of the double boiler. Tightly cover the top with film wrap. Allow to heat for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat, stir until smooth, and hold at room temperature.
• Place the egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle. Beat on high until slightly thickened and lemon-colored, about 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat on high for an additional 2 minutes.
• While the egg yolks are beating, whisk 4 egg whites in a large stainless steel bowl until stiff but not dry, about 3 to 4 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, fold the melted chocolate mixture into the beaten egg yolk mixture. Add a quarter of the beaten egg whites and stir to incorporate, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, spreading evenly, and bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 15 minutes. (During baking, the surface of the cakes will form a crust; this crust will normally collapse when the cakes are removed from the oven.) Invert 1 of the cakes onto the bottom of a springform pan. Invert the other 2 cakes onto cake circles. Remove the parchment paper and refrigerate cakes for 30 minutes.
• To prepare the chocolate and strawberry mousse, reserve the 12 best-looking strawberries to decorate the top of the cake. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, puree 4 ounces of strawberries (12 medium-sized berries should yield 1/2 cup of puree). Set aside until needed. Refrigerate the remaining berries until needed (that includes the 12 berries for decoration) Heat 1-inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat. Place 16 ounces semisweet chocolate, the white chocolate and the strawberry puree in the top half of the double boiler. Tightly cover the top with film wrap. Allow to heat for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth. Transfer to a stainless steel bowl, using a rubber spatula to remove all of the melted chocolate mixture. Keep at room temperature until needed. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a balloon whip, whisk the 6 egg whites on high until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Continue to whisk on high while gradually adding 2 tablespoons sugar. Whisk until stiff but not dry, about 30 seconds. Set aside at room temperature until needed.
• Using a hand-held whisk, whip the heavy cream in a well-chilled stainless steel bowl until stiff. Fold a quarter of the egg whites into the melted chocolate mixture, then fold in the whipped cream. Now fold in the remaining egg whites. Set aside at room temperature until needed.
• Assemble the springform pan. Spread 1/2 cup of chocolate strawberry mousse onto the cake layer in the assembled springform pan. Arrange 1/2 the amount of reserved strawberries (not including the 12 for decoration), stem side down, into the mousse. The berries should be arranged in 2 rings: the first ring being 3/4-inch from the outside edge of the cake, and the second, inside ring, 3/4-inch away from the first. Distribute 3 cups of mousse over the berries, being careful to keep the berries in position. Holding the pan by the top rim, gently but firmly tap the bottom of the pan 2 to 3 times on your work surface (this will eliminate air pockets). Position a cake layer on top of the mousse, then repeat the process used on the first cake layer (1/2 cup mousse, remaining strawberries, and 3 more cups mousse). Top the mousse with the remaining cake layer and gently press into position. Refrigerate the cake for 2 hours (do not freeze).
• Refrigerate 1 cup of Semisweet Chocolate Ganache for at least 1 hour. Keep the remaining ganache at room temperature until needed.
• Remove the sides from the springform pan (do not remove the bottom of the pan from the cake; this will make it easier to handle later). Use a cake spatula to smooth and fill in the sides of the cake with 2 to 3 tablespoons of room-temperature ganache. Evenly spread the remaining amount of this ganache over the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for 1 hour.
• Transfer the chilled cup of ganache to a pastry bag fitted with a large-sized star tip. Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Pipe a circle of 12 evenly spaced stars along the outside edge of the top of the cake. Place a strawberry, stem side down, into each ganache star. Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes.
• Cut the cake with a serrated slicer, heating the blade of the slicer under hot running water before making each slice. Allow the slices to come to room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
• Heat the heavy cream, butter, and sugar in a 2 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil. Place the chocolate in a stainless steel bowl. Pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Yield: 2 cups

LISA'S WHITE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• For the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour 2 round 8" pans.
• Beat flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, shortening, milk and vanilla in a large mixing bowl on low speed, scraping the bowl occasionally, for about 30 seconds.
• Then, beat on high speed for about 2 minutes.
• Add egg whites; beat on high speed 2 minutes longer.
• Fold in white chocolate.
• Pour into pans.
• Bake until wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean- 30 to 35 minutes.
• Allow cakes to cool completely, and then carefully slice each in half, lengthwise.
• For the Mousse (I recommend making the night before): Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Set aside.
• Puree fresh strawberries.
• Place the berries in a small saucepan, add the preserves, and cook over medium heat (stirring constantly) until thickened, or just before boiling.
• Remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly.
• Fold into melted chocolate.
• Allow the strawberry chocolate mixture to cool until tepid.
• Then gently fold in whipped cream, followed by gently folding in egg whites.
• Cover and refrigerate 8 hours.
• For the Icing: In a medium saucepan, combine melted chocolate and flour.
• Blend in milk, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick (about the consistency of melted chocolate alone).
• Cool completely.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together sugar, butter and vanilla.
• Beat until light and fluffy.
• Gradually add completely cooled chocolate mixture.
• Beat until well blended, but DO NOT over beat, or it will become runny.
• To Assemble Cake: Spread set mousse between layers of cake (there will be three layers of mousse).
• Make sure not to have any mousse leaking out of the sides, or it will make icing the cake difficult.
• After the mousse is between the layers, put the cake in the freezer.
• In the meantime, melt the 3 ounces of chocolate.
• Arrange the thinly sliced strawberries on a pan that has been covered with saran wrap.
• Drizzle the chocolate in thin ribbons, in all directions over the strawberries, until they are nicely covered (but not completely).
• Take the cake out of the freezer, and place the pan of strawberries in the freezer.
• Ice the cake generously with the white chocolate icing using a spatula, so it forms soft peaks all over the cake.
• Once the cake is completely iced, take the strawberries out of the freezer.
• Arrange them around the perimeter of the top of the cake, points inward, and around the bottom of the cake, points upward.
• Use five strawberries to form a "flower" in the middle of the cake, if desired.

WHITE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line with waxed paper.
• Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl.
• Beat white sugar, butter, and gelatin together in a separate bowl until fluffy; add eggs, one at a time, beating well with each addition.
• Stir alternately flour mixture then milk, into sugar mixture to form a smooth batter. Stir vanilla extract and strawberries into batter until combined.
• Divide batter between prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of both cakes comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes; cool completely.
• Stir cream cheese, white chocolate, and heavy whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat until combined and white chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Stir confectioners' sugar into cream cheese mixture until a smooth frosting forms. Allow to cool and set.
• Spread a layer of frosting over the top of one cake. Place the second cake on top of frosting layer. Frost the top of second cake and sides of both cakes with remaining frosting.

CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY CAKE WITH FLUFFY FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Generously grease or spray two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans. In large bowl, beat cake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes. Pour into pans.
• Bake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In medium bowl, add frosting; fold in whipped topping.
• On serving plate, place 1 cake, rounded side down. Spread with 1/3 cup frosting almost to edge. Cut about 5 strawberries into 1/4-inch slices; arrange on frosted cake. Top with second cake, rounded side up. Frost side and top of cake with remaining frosting. Garnish with about 5 halved strawberries in center of cake. Sprinkle chocolate chips around outside edge of top of cake. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

STRAWBERRY CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease and dust four 9-inch round cake pans with cocoa.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar and salt.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter. Add the cocoa. Stir together. Add the boiling water, allow the mixture to boil for 30 seconds and then turn off the heat. Pour over the flour mixture and stir lightly to cool.
• Combine the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla and beaten eggs. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the butter/chocolate mixture. Divide the batter among the prepared cake pans and bake for 20 minutes. Cool completely on racks.
• For the filling: Halve the strawberries, and then combine them in a bowl with the granulated sugar and vanilla. Mix them all together. Leave them to macerate for 15 minutes, and then drain off the excess liquid.
• Whip together the powdered sugar and cream and set aside.
• Spread the top of each cake with hazelnut chocolate spread, some whipped cream and strawberries and layer the cakes. Don't assemble more than an hour before serving.

CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE WITH STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM AND BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Butter and flour 9x5x3-inch metal loaf pan. Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar; beat until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add dry ingredients in 3 additions, beating well after each addition. Fold in chocolate chips. Transfer batter to pan. Smooth top.
• Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 35 minutes. Cool in pan on rack 15 minutes. Run knife between pan sides and cake; turn cake out onto rack. Cool. Wrap in foil; let stand at room temperature at least 1 day. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Store wrapped in foil at room temperature.)
• Cut pound cake into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Place 1 cake slice on each of 10 plates. Spoon Sweetened Strawberries and scoop of ice cream alongside. Drizzle with Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce and serve.

CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY MOUSSE CAKE - TRELLIS RESTAURANT

Steps:

• Chocolate Cake:.
• Lightly coat the insides of 3 (9 by 1 1/2-inch) cake pans with melted butter. Line each pan with parchment paper, then lightly coat the parchment with more melted butter. Set aside. (Note: you must line cake pans with parchment paper or wax paper, otherwise the cake layers will be hard to remove and will fall apart.).
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Heat 1-inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat. Place remaining butter and 8 ounces semisweet chocolate in the top half of the double boiler. Tightly cover the top with film wrap. Allow to heat for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat, stir until smooth, and hold at room temperature.
• Place the egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle. Beat on high until slightly thickened and lemon-colored, about 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat on high for an additional 2 minutes.
• While the egg yolks are beating, whisk 4 egg whites in a large stainless steel bowl until stiff but not dry, about 3 to 4 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, fold the melted chocolate mixture into the beaten egg yolk mixture. Add a quarter of the beaten egg whites and stir to incorporate, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, spreading evenly, and bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 15 minutes. (During baking, the surface of the cakes will form a crust; this crust will normally collapse when the cakes are removed from the oven.)
• Invert 1 of the cakes onto the bottom of a springform pan. Invert the other 2 cakes onto cake circles. Remove the parchment paper and refrigerate cakes for 30 minutes.
• Chocolate Strawberry Mousse:.
• Reserve the 12 best-looking strawberries to decorate the top of the cake. Set aside.
• To prepare the chocolate and strawberry mousse, in a food processor fitted with a metal blade, puree 4 ounces of strawberries (approximately 12 medium-sized berries should yield 1/2 cup of puree). Set aside until needed.
• Refrigerate the remaining berries until needed (that includes the 12 berries you set aside for decoration).
• Heat 1-inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat. Place 16 ounces semisweet chocolate, the white chocolate and the strawberry puree in the top half of the double boiler. Tightly cover the top with film wrap. Allow to heat for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth. Transfer to a stainless steel bowl, using a rubber spatula to remove all of the melted chocolate mixture. Keep at room temperature until needed.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a balloon whip, whisk the 6 egg whites on high until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Continue to whisk on high while gradually adding 2 tablespoons sugar. Whisk until stiff but not dry, about 30 seconds. Set aside at room temperature until needed.
• Whip the heavy cream in a well-chilled stainless steel bowl until stiff. Fold a quarter of the egg whites into the melted chocolate mixture, then fold in the whipped cream. Now fold in the remaining egg whites. Set aside at room temperature until needed.
• Assembly:.
• Assemble the springform pan. Spread 1/2 cup of chocolate strawberry mousse onto the cake layer in the assembled springform pan. Arrange 1/2 the amount of reserved strawberries (not including the 12 for decoration), stem side down, into the mousse. The berries should be arranged in 2 rings: the first ring being 3/4-inch from the outside edge of the cake, and the second, inside ring, 3/4-inch away from the first. Distribute 3 cups of mousse over the berries, being careful to keep the berries in position. Holding the pan by the top rim, gently but firmly tap the bottom of the pan 2 to 3 times on your work surface (this will eliminate air pockets). Position a cake layer on top of the mousse, then repeat the process used on the first cake layer (1/2 cup mousse, remaining strawberries, and 3 more cups mousse). Top the mousse with the remaining cake layer and gently press into position. Refrigerate the cake for 2 hours (do not freeze).
• Refrigerate 1 cup of Semisweet Chocolate Ganache for at least 1 hour. Keep the remaining ganache at room temperature until needed.
• Remove the sides from the springform pan (do not remove the bottom of the pan from the cake; this will make it easier to handle later). Use a cake spatula to smooth and fill in the sides of the cake with 2 to 3 tablespoons of room-temperature ganache. Evenly spread the remaining amount of this ganache over the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for 1 hour.
• Transfer the chilled cup of ganache to a pastry bag fitted with a large-sized star tip. Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Pipe a circle of 12 evenly spaced stars along the outside edge of the top of the cake. Place a strawberry, stem side down, into each ganache star. Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes.
• Cut the cake with a serrated slicer, heating the blade of the slicer under hot running water before making each slice. Allow the slices to come to room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
• Chocolate Ganache:.
• Heat the heavy cream, butter, and sugar in a 2 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil. Place the chocolate in a stainless steel bowl. Pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature. Yield: 2 cups.

STRAWBERRY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray.
• Combine cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Divide batter between prepared pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 24 to 29 minutes. Cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Invert onto a rack and cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Mix milk, chocolate pudding mix, and confectioners' sugar together in a bowl to make frosting; fold in whipped topping.
• Spread half of the frosting over 1 cake. Spread 1/2 cup strawberry glaze over the frosting. Place the second cake on top; cover with remaining frosting. Spread remaining strawberry glaze on top. Arrange strawberries over glaze. Drizzle top and sides of cake with chocolate syrup. Chill cake until serving.

STRAWBERRY AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Generously spray bottom and side of 8- or 9-inch round cake pan with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, 3 tablespoons butter, the almond extract and egg with electric mixer on low speed until moistened, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.
• Bake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, place white chocolate and 2 tablespoons butter in medium metal bowl. In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream over medium heat just to boiling. Immediately pour hot cream over white chocolate and butter. Let stand about 5 minutes or until mixture is melted and smooth when stirred. Let stand until room temperature, about 1 hour.
• Beat cooled white chocolate mixture on high speed until fluffy.
• Cut cake horizontally in half, using long, sharp knife. On serving plate, place 1 layer, cut side up. Spread with 1/2 of the filling; top with 1/2 of the strawberries. Add remaining cake layer, cut side down. Spread remaining filling over top of cake; top with remaining strawberries. Store covered in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE WITH STRAWBERRY FROSTING

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper to cover the bottom and long sides. Lightly spray the parchment. Set aside.
• For the cake: Whisk together the hot water and cocoa powder in a large liquid measuring cup until it forms a smooth, thick paste. Add the oil, eggs and vanilla and whisk until combined and smooth.
• Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to combine. Add the butter and 1/3 of the chocolate-egg mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Raise the speed to medium-high and beat until combined, about 30 seconds. Scrape the sides of the bowl clean with a rubber spatula and beat 30 seconds more. Add the remaining liquid ingredients in 2 additions, scraping and beating 20 to 30 seconds after each addition. Scrape the bowl clean one last time and beat until fluffy, about 10 seconds.
• Fold in the chocolate chips if using and pour the batter into the prepared pan. Tap the pan several times on the counter to release any air bubbles. Bake in the center of the oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, 1 hour 2 minutes to 1 hour 8 minutes.
• Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack about 15 minutes. Loosen the edges of the cake from the pan with a metal spatula. Remove the cake from the pan and cool on the rack for an additional 15 minutes. Place the cake back in the pan, wrap with plastic wrap and allow to cool completely before frosting, about 6 hours.
• For the buttercream: Bring the strawberries, sugar and 1 tablespoon water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir and smash the strawberries with a rubber spatula, making sure that they don't stick to the pan. Simmer while stirring to reduce and thicken slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Strain the strawberry puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pushing the purée through the sieve. You should have 3 tablespoons purée. Cool the purée 15 to 20 minutes.
• Beat the butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until smooth and shiny, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla and beat on low speed until it forms a paste. Scrape the sides of the bowl and paddle clean and beat on high speed for 1 minute. Reduce the speed to low, add half of the strawberry purée and mix to combine. Beat on medium speed for a few seconds, then add the remaining puree. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl and beat on high speed until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.
• If the buttercream looks separated, scoop about 1/4 cup into a microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted, 5 to 6 seconds. Add this melted buttercream back into the bowl of buttercream and beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth.
• To frost the cake, trim off the baked crust on the short ends of the cake and trim off a bit of the crown, if desired. Dollop the buttercream on top and spread to the edges, smoothing as desired. Store any leftovers covered on the counter for up to 3 days.

4-LAYER CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottom of four 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
• Combine devil's food cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until batter is smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Spread cake batter evenly in the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 24 to 29 minutes. Cool in the pans, about 30 minutes. Invert cakes onto a flat work surface and peel off parchment paper.
• Spread some chocolate frosting over each cake. Spread whipped cream over the chocolate frosting. Press strawberries into the whipped cream; cover with more whipped cream. Stack cake layer carefully.

CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Grease and flour three round 9-inch baking pans.
• Sift flour, 2 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl; cut shortening into flour mixture until fine crumbs are formed.
• Beat egg whites, milk, strawberry syrup, and vanilla extract into flour mixture with an electric mixer on low for 1 minute; increase to high until smooth and blended, about 2 more minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl frequently.
• Pour batter into prepared baking pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Place chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl; heat on High in microwave until melted, about 1 minute. Stir chocolate until smooth.
• Beat cream cheese and 1/3 cup sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on High until combined, 1 minute; stir chocolate into mixture until well mixed.
• Gently fold whipped topping, pudding mix, and chocolate sandwich cookies into cream cheese mixture to form the filling.
• Spread about 1/3 filling on top of one cake. Place second cake atop filling layer. Repeat with a filling layer, the third cake, and a final layer of filling on top.

HEART-SHAPED CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F for shiny metal pan or 325°F for dark, nonstick or glass pan. Grease and flour bottoms and sides of 2 heart-shaped pans (or two 9-inch round cake pans or three 8-inch round cake pans).
• Prepare cake ingredients as directed on cake mix box. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake 25 to 35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean. Cool cakes 10 minutes in pans, then carefully remove from pans and cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in blender or food processor, blend strawberries and lemon juice until fully pureed. Pour puree into small saucepan. Bring mixture to simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, 10 to 15 minutes until mixture reduces to about 1/4 to ? cup. Cool completely to room temperature.
• In large bowl or bowl of stand mixer, beat butter and strawberry mixture 1 to 2 minutes on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Beat in powdered sugar on medium speed 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition until mixture is smooth. Add milk and vanilla; stir to combine. Increase speed to high and beat 1 minute more until frosting is creamy and fluffy.
• Place 1 cake layer on serving plate. Frost top with generous amount of frosting. Top with remaining cake layer; frost top and sides with remaining frosting. Decorate with chocolate-covered strawberries, if desired. Store leftovers tightly covered in refrigerator up to 3 days.
• *To make chocolate-covered strawberries, melt 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Dip strawberries halfway into chocolate mixture, then transfer to wax paper or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Chill in refrigerator 30 minutes to set.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP STRAWBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray.
• Combine strawberry cake mix, white chocolate chips, sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs, water, and pudding mix in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Divide batter between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Set pans on a wire rack and cool for 15 minutes.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED STRAWBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 (325 for dark or nonstick pans). Grease bottoms and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans with shortening and lightly flour, or spray with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, mix cake mix and gelatin. Beat in water, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally (batter will be lumpy). Pour in pans.
• Bake as directed on box for 9-inch round cake pans. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, rinse strawberries and dry on paper towels (berries must be completely dry). Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. In 1-quart saucepan, melt vanilla baking chips and shortening over low heat, stirring frequesntly, Remove from heat.
• Dip lower half of each strawberry into vanilla chip mixture; allow excess to drip back into saucepan. Place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Regrigerate until coating is firm, about 30 minutes, or until serving time.
• Split each cake horizontally into 2 layers. On serving plate place top of 1 layer, cut side up; spread with 1/3 cup of the jam. Add bottom half of layer, cut side down; spread with 1/3 cup jam. Add top of second layer, cut side up; spread with remaining 1/3 cup jam. Add bottom of remaining layer. Frost side and top of cake with frosting. Arrange dipped strawberries around top of cake. Place 5 strawberries on top of cake. Store in refrigerator.

FRESH STRAWBERRY CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease an 8-inch square baking pan and dust it with flour, knocking out an extra.
• Combine the eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, lemon zest, and vanilla in a large glass measuring cup and lightly beat.
• Combine 1 ¼ cups flour, the baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
• Combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and cream with an electric mixer on med-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice as necessary.
• With the mixer on med-low speed, pour the egg mixture into the bowl in a slow stream, stopping the mixer once or twice to scrape down the bowl.
• Turn the mixer on low speed and add the flour mixture, ½ cup at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
• After the last addition, mix for 30 seconds on medium speed.
• Combine the strawberries and remaining ¼ cup of flour in a medium bowl and toss to coat.
• Fold the flour-covered berries along with the chocolate chips into the batter with a rubber spatula.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
• Bake the cake until it is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes, invert it onto a wire rack, and then turn it right side up on a rack to cool completely.
• Cut into 9 squares and serve.
• Store uneaten squares in a cake keeper or wrap in plastic and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

STRAWBERRY BUNDT CAKE WITH MILK CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325° degrees F (165° degrees C). Generously grease with shortening and flour a 10 inch Bundt Pan. (Do not use spray ).
• In a mixing bowl, stir together dry ingredients: Strawberry Cake Mix, instant vanilla pudding & sugar.
• In another bowl, stir together wet ingredients: eggs (beaten), water, oil & yogurt.
• Mix dry and wet ingredients together thoroughly.
• Fold in 1/2 cup Milk Chocolate Chips into batter.
• Pour batter into well greased & floured Bundt Pan.
• Bake 55-60 minutes in pre-heated oven. Cake will be done when a clean toothpick, inserted into the cake, comes out clean and free of any cake particles.
• Cool Bundt Cake in pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Drizzle Milk Chocolate Glaze over the top of cooled cake and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Milk Chocolate Chips on top.