This Chocolate Strawberry Cake is a luscious dessert that combines a moist chocolate sponge, creamy mascarpone filling, and fresh strawberries, all topped with a smooth dark chocolate ganache. Perfect for any celebration or special occasion, this cake is a true showstopper. The layers of chocolate and strawberries create a harmonious blend of flavors that will delight any dessert lover.
Why You'll Love This: You will love this cake for its rich chocolatey base, creamy filling, and the freshness of the strawberries. The combination of dark chocolate and mascarpone creates a luxurious texture, while the strawberries add a refreshing burst of flavor. This cake is not only delicious but also visually stunning, making it a perfect centerpiece for any dessert table.
Perfect Occasion: This Chocolate Strawberry Cake is ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special celebration. It's also perfect for impressing guests at dinner parties or for treating yourself and your loved ones to a special homemade dessert.
Decoration Tips: To enhance the cake's presentation, decorate it with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. You can also add chocolate shavings or a drizzle of white chocolate for an extra touch of elegance. For a festive look, consider using edible flowers or gold leaf.
Ingredients:
- For the Cake:
- 3 eggs
- 150g sugar
- 150ml vegetable oil
- 150ml mineral water
- 45g cocoa powder
- 180g all-purpose flour
- 75g cornstarch
- 1/2 packet baking powder
- For the Cream:
- 200g dark chocolate, melted
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 4-5 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 400ml heavy cream
- 250g mascarpone cheese
- 5 teaspoons stabilizer for whipping cream or 3 packets
- For the Ganache:
- 80ml heavy cream
- 100g dark chocolate
- Additional Ingredients:
- 300g strawberries
- 100ml heavy cream
- 1 packet stabilizer for whipping cream
Instructions:
- Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 22cm or 24cm springform pan.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs, vanilla sugar, and sugar on high speed for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the mineral water and oil, mixing well.
- Sift in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes. Start checking with a toothpick at the 30-minute mark. Let the cake cool completely.
- Prepare the Cream:
- In a large bowl, combine the melted chocolate, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, heavy cream, mascarpone, and cream stabilizer. Beat until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Once the cake is cool, cut the top to level it if necessary. Place a cake ring around the base.
- Slice some strawberries in half or thin slices and place them around the edge of the cake. Dice the remaining strawberries (reserving some for decoration) and spread them over the cake base.
- Spread the prepared cream evenly over the strawberries and smooth the top.
- Prepare the Ganache:
- Warm the heavy cream in a saucepan and add the dark chocolate, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Pour the ganache over the cream layer of the cake, spreading it evenly. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Decorate the Cake:
- Carefully remove the cake ring. Whip the 100ml of heavy cream with the stabilizer until stiff peaks form.
- Decorate the cake with the whipped cream and the reserved strawberries.
Enjoy this decadent Chocolate Strawberry Cake, a perfect blend of rich chocolate and fresh berries that will make any occasion special!