Chocolate And Strawberry Cake brings rich cocoa layers together with sweet strawberry filling and creamy strawberry buttercream.
This Chocolate And Strawberry Cake tastes deeply chocolatey with a fresh berry twist that makes every bite feel indulgent. I made this cake because I wanted something that balanced bold and fruity flavors in one dessert.
I’ve baked this Chocolate And Strawberry Cake several times and each time it’s been a hit. I’ve added a few personal tweaks, especially in the frosting and filling, to match my style.
The result leans more toward a bakery-style finish with a homemade touch. Now I’ll walk through each step to show exactly how it’s done.
Abour This Chocolate And Strawberry Cake
This Chocolate and Strawberry Cake recipe combines rich, moist chocolate layers with a fresh strawberry filling and a smooth strawberry buttercream frosting.
The chocolate cake is made with real coffee and cocoa for deep flavor, while the filling uses fresh strawberries and lemon juice for a bright, slightly tangy contrast.
The frosting includes freeze-dried strawberry powder, giving it a natural fruity taste and a beautiful pink color without artificial flavoring.
It’s a balanced dessert that brings together sweet, rich, and slightly tart notes. Great for birthdays, celebrations, or when you want to impress with something homemade that looks and tastes bakery-quality.

How To Prepare Chocolate and Strawberry Cake?
Recipe Overview
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Yield: 8 servings
Kitchen Utensils
- Two 8-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Cooling racks
- Offset spatula or cake scraper
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Strawberry Filling
- ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 cups fresh strawberries, chopped small (frozen can be used if thawed)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Chocolate Cake
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup strong brewed black coffee
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- 2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberry powder
- ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about ½ small lemon)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- 7 cups powdered sugar
How To make Chocolate And Strawberry Cake
1. Make the Strawberry Filling
Combine chopped strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries soften and begin to break down.
2. Thicken the Mixture
In a separate small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour this mixture into the saucepan. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the filling thickens. Set aside to cool completely.
3. Prepare the Oven and Cake Pans
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
4. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil, brewed coffee, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
5.Combine the Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, both regular and Dutch-process cocoa powders, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until the batter is smooth. Avoid overmixing.
6. Bake the Cake Layers
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
7. Make the Strawberry Buttercream Base
In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until creamy. Add freeze-dried strawberry powder, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until fully incorporated.
8. Add Powdered Sugar and Cream
Slowly add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, mixing until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Beat on medium-high speed for 3–5 minutes until light and fluffy.
9. Assemble the Cake
If needed, level the cooled cake layers with a serrated knife. Place one layer on a cake board or serving plate. Spread a generous layer of the cooled strawberry filling over the top. Place the second cake layer on top.
10. Frost and Decorate
Cover the top and sides of the cake with strawberry buttercream. Use a spatula or cake scraper to smooth the surface. Optionally, garnish with fresh strawberries, chocolate curls, or sprinkles. Refrigerate briefly to set if needed before serving.
Why We Love This Recipe
We love this recipe because it delivers bold chocolate flavor paired with the freshness of real strawberries. The contrast between the dark, moist cake and the light, fruity buttercream creates a satisfying balance.
The strawberry filling adds a layer of texture and brightness that stands out. The frosting has a natural color and taste thanks to freeze-dried berries.
It looks impressive on the table and tastes even better. This cake feels special without relying on shortcuts or artificial flavor.
It’s a homemade dessert that holds its own next to bakery versions and can be customized without losing its character.
Our Favorite Ways To Serve It Up
Our favorite ways to serve this Chocolate and Strawberry Cake start with keeping it chilled just long enough for clean slices, then letting it sit at room temperature for the perfect texture.
It’s great on its own, but pairing it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream takes it further.
Add sliced fresh strawberries on top for extra freshness and color. For a celebration, decorate it with chocolate shavings or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the top.
Serve it as a show-stopping centerpiece at birthdays, gatherings, or when you just want something memorable.
Tips And Variations
◆ For a lighter cake: Substitute whole wheat flour or use a gluten-free flour blend.
◆ For added texture: Incorporate chocolate chips into the cake batter.
◆ For a tangy twist: Add a layer of cream cheese frosting between the cake layers.
Baking And Decorating Tips
Here are some tips to ensure your Chocolate and Strawberry Cake turns out beautifully:
1. Prepping the Cake Pan: Grease and flour your cake pan or use parchment paper to prevent sticking. For a more professional look, you can also use non-stick baking spray.
2. Cooling the Cake: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. If the cake is warm, the frosting can melt and slide off, resulting in a less attractive finish.
3. Layering and Filling: When layering the cake, make sure each layer is level for a more even appearance. Spread the strawberry filling evenly between layers to avoid any unevenness.
4. Applying the Ganache or Frosting: For a smooth finish, apply a crumb coat first—a thin layer of frosting to seal in crumbs. Chill the cake before applying the final layer of frosting or ganache for a neater look.
How To Store Leftovers
The best way to store leftover chocolate and strawberry cake is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.
This keeps the chocolate and strawberry cake fresh and prevents it from drying out. I like to place a piece of parchment paper between layers of cake if I’m stacking them in a container.
I also recommend refrigerating the chocolate and strawberry cake if you’ve already added the strawberry filling and ganache, as it helps maintain the texture and flavor.
Leftovers typically stay good for about 3-4 days, and I find that letting it come to room temperature before eating brings out the best taste!
Conclusion
Achieving success in making this Chocolate And Strawberry Cake has been a rewarding experience. With each step, from mixing the ingredients to assembling the layers, I’ve learned the importance of precision and patience.
The result was a beautifully decadent cake with the perfect balance of rich chocolate and sweet strawberry flavors.
This success has not only boosted my confidence in the kitchen but has also shown me the joy of creating something from scratch.
If you try this Chocolate And Strawberry Cake, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy the satisfaction of making a dessert that is as delicious as it is impressive.
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Chocolate And Strawberry Cake
Equipment
- Two 8-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Cooling racks
- Offset spatula or cake scraper
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Strawberry Filling
- ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 cups fresh strawberries chopped small (frozen can be used if thawed)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Chocolate Cake
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup strong brewed black coffee
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- 2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberry powder
- ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream room temperature
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice about ½ small lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- 7 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Make the Strawberry Filling
- Combine chopped strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries soften and begin to break down.
Thicken the Mixture
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour this mixture into the saucepan. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the filling thickens. Set aside to cool completely.
Prepare the Oven and Cake Pans
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil, brewed coffee, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
Combine the Dry Ingredients
- In another bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, both regular and Dutch-process cocoa powders, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until the batter is smooth. Avoid overmixing.
Bake the Cake Layers
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Make the Strawberry Buttercream Base
- In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until creamy. Add freeze-dried strawberry powder, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until fully incorporated.
Add Powdered Sugar and Cream
- Slowly add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, mixing until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Beat on medium-high speed for 3–5 minutes until light and fluffy.
Assemble the Cake
- If needed, level the cooled cake layers with a serrated knife. Place one layer on a cake board or serving plate. Spread a generous layer of the cooled strawberry filling over the top. Place the second cake layer on top.
Frost and Decorate
- Cover the top and sides of the cake with strawberry buttercream. Use a spatula or cake scraper to smooth the surface. Optionally, garnish with fresh strawberries, chocolate curls, or sprinkles. Refrigerate briefly to set if needed before serving.