Craving something sweet, rich, and a little romantic? Say hello to the strawberry chocolate cake that’s about to steal your heart. Whether you’re baking for your family, a celebration, or just a cozy night in, this recipe is your new best friend. It’s quick, irresistible, and packed with bold strawberry flavor paired with luscious chocolate. Let’s make dessert the highlight of your day!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This strawberry chocolate cake isn’t just dessert—it’s a memory in the making. Miranda’s recipes are always rooted in love, and this one is no exception. Inspired by her childhood moments in Grandma’s kitchen, this sweet treat brings joy with every bite. The rich chocolate meets fresh, juicy strawberry for a flavor combo that feels both nostalgic and indulgent.
Strawberry Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ready to bake up something magical? This Strawberry Chocolate Cake Recipe is rich, fruity, and so easy, it might just become your signature dessert. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups finely chopped fresh strawberries
- ½ cup boiling water
- Optional: 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks for extra decadence
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Whisk wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat eggs with both sugars until fluffy. Add oil, vanilla, and buttermilk, mixing until smooth.
- Combine and fold: Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently, then fold in the chopped strawberries and chocolate chips if using.
- Add hot water: Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin—don’t panic! It makes the cake moist.
- Pour and bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and frost: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Frost with your favorite chocolate ganache or whipped cream—and top with extra strawberries for that wow factor.
Tips for the Best Results
Want your strawberry chocolate cake to turn out bakery-worthy every time? Use room temperature ingredients, don’t overmix the batter, and always check for doneness with a toothpick. Fresh, ripe strawberries make a big difference—trust us! And hey, if your ganache looks a little wild? That’s flavor personality. Embrace the mess—it’s part of the homemade charm!
Serving Suggestions
This strawberry chocolate cake is a showstopper all on its own, but why stop there? For a romantic touch, garnish with chocolate-dipped strawberries. Hosting brunch? Pair it with coffee or rosé for a sweet surprise. It’s versatile, indulgent, and always crowd-pleasing!
Recommended Recipes
Looking for more ways to keep the strawberry love going? These sweet, refreshing, and indulgent recipes from Miranda’s kitchen pair perfectly with your new favorite strawberry chocolate cake. Whether you’re hosting brunch or just craving something pretty and pink, here are five must-tries:
Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream Cake
A throwback to those nostalgic childhood ice cream bars—this no-bake dessert layers creamy vanilla, real strawberries, and that iconic crunchy topping. It’s cold, colorful, and completely irresistible.
Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail
Skip the rum, keep the fun! This vibrant mocktail is all about fresh strawberries, lime, and a tropical vibe that pairs beautifully with a slice of strawberry chocolate cake on the patio.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie (No Yogurt)
Need a lighter follow-up after dessert? This smoothie is creamy, naturally sweet, and perfect for breakfast—or a mid-morning mom break. No yogurt, no problem.
Vodka Lemonade with Strawberry
A grown-up sip with serious summer energy. This spiked lemonade with muddled strawberries is a zesty, pink refresher that tastes like a sunny day in a glass.
Strawberry Crunch Cake Cheesecake
What happens when cheesecake meets crunchy cake topping and a boatload of strawberries? Dessert magic. It’s rich, creamy, and a fun twist for your next gathering.
Notes
Want to prep your strawberry chocolate cake ahead of time? Bake it a day early and store it in an airtight container—it gets even more flavorful overnight. You can also freeze it (unfrosted) for up to a month. Just let it thaw, frost fresh, and serve. And don’t worry—yes, you can use frozen strawberries in a pinch. It’s still delicious!
FAQ
Why is it called depression cake?
Depression cake got its name from the Great Depression era, when ingredients like eggs, butter, and milk were scarce. Just like our strawberry chocolate cake, it proves that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make something seriously delicious.
What is the secret to keep cake moist?
The secret? Don’t overbake it, and always include moisture-loving ingredients like buttermilk or oil. Our Strawberry Chocolate Cake Recipe uses both—plus fresh strawberries—to keep every bite soft and tender.
What is it called when you mix chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry?
That delicious combo is called Neapolitan! While our chocolate strawberry cake skips the vanilla, the layered flavor magic still delivers big Neapolitan vibes with every forkful.
Conclusion
This strawberry chocolate cake is more than just dessert—it’s a hug from the past. Miranda still remembers the first time she made it with her grandmother, flour-dusted cheeks and all. It was love at first bite. Now, it’s your turn to create those sweet memories. Bake it, share it, and let the rich chocolate and fresh strawberries bring a little joy to your kitchen.
Print
Irresistible Strawberry Chocolate Cake – Easy & Moist Dessert Recipe for Any Occasion
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Description
A moist, rich strawberry chocolate cake made with real strawberries and cocoa—perfect for birthdays, brunch, or anytime you need a sweet hug from the oven. Inspired by Miranda’s family traditions, this crowd-pleaser is as nostalgic as it is delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups finely chopped fresh strawberries
- ½ cup boiling water
- Optional: 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat eggs and both sugars until fluffy. Add oil, vanilla, and buttermilk.
- Slowly combine wet and dry ingredients. Fold in chopped strawberries and chocolate chips.
- Stir in boiling water gently.
- Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 35–40 minutes.
- Let cool. Frost and top with extra strawberries if desired.
Notes
- Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Freeze (unfrosted) for up to a month.
- Frozen strawberries work too—just thaw and drain them first.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Keywords: strawberry chocolate cake