Description
This indulgent three-layer masterpiece combines a moist cocoa-infused sponge with a vibrant, fresh strawberry buttercream. Elegantly finished with a glossy chocolate ganache drip, it is a quintessential Southern treat perfect for any special occasion.
Ingredients
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Boiling water or hot coffee
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Vegetable oil
- Buttermilk (room temperature)
- Eggs (room temperature)
- Vanilla extract
- Unsalted butter (room temperature)
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Fresh strawberries (chopped)
- Heavy cream
- Semi-sweet chocolate (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease three 9-inch round cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Sift the cocoa powder into a medium bowl, whisk in boiling water or hot coffee until dissolved, and let the mixture cool for 10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Whisk the vegetable oil, room temperature buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract into the cooled cocoa mixture.
- Gently pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until the batter is fully incorporated and smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly between the three pans and bake for 30 minutes, or until the tops are springy and edges pull away slightly.
- Cool cakes completely in their pans before inverting them onto wire racks for assembly.
- For the buttercream, beat butter and salt for 5 minutes until pale; gradually add sugar and chopped strawberries, beating until light and airy.
- Stack the layers with frosting, coat the exterior, and chill the cake for one hour before applying the ganache drip.
- Whisk simmering cream into chopped chocolate to create a ganache, then drip it over the chilled cake and garnish with fresh berries.
Notes
For a perfectly smooth ganache drip, ensure the cake is well-chilled before pouring; this helps the chocolate set quickly as it runs down the sides. Additionally, using high-quality cocoa powder with at least 20-22% fat content will result in a much richer, more flavorful sponge.
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American