Chocolate Kahlua Strawberry Cake (Printable Version)
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cake Ingredients
01 -
3 cups all-purpose flour
02 -
3 cups granulated sugar
03 -
1 1/2 cups special dark chocolate cocoa powder
04 -
1 tablespoon baking powder
05 -
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
06 -
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
07 -
4 large eggs
08 -
1/2 cup sour cream
09 -
1 cup buttermilk
10 -
1 cup warm water
11 -
1/2 cup Kahlua
12 -
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
13 -
1/2 cup canola oil
14 -
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
→ Strawberry Buttercream Frosting Ingredients
15 -
2 cups unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
16 -
6 cups powdered sugar
17 -
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
18 -
1/2 cup finely diced strawberries
19 -
5 to 7 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
20 -
Strawberries for topping
→ Chocolate Ganache Ingredients
21 -
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
22 -
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease three 9-inch cake pans with nonstick baking spray. In a small bowl, whisk espresso powder, Kahlua, and warm water until dissolved. In a standing mixer, mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt until evenly combined. Gradually add eggs, sour cream, buttermilk, espresso mixture, canola oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated. Divide batter evenly into the prepared pans.
02 -
Transfer cake pans to the oven and bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cakes to cool in pans for 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
03 -
In a standing mixer, cream butter, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, diced strawberries, and heavy whipping cream until light and fluffy with stiff peaks. Scoop 1 cup of frosting into a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
04 -
Place one cake layer onto a cake board. Using a large ice cream scooper, add 4 to 6 scoops of frosting onto the layer and spread evenly. Place a second layer on top and repeat the frosting process. Position the final cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
05 -
Heat heavy whipping cream in a small saucepan until steaming. Place chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl. Pour hot cream over chocolate and let sit for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Transfer ganache into a squeeze bottle.
06 -
Pipe dollops of ganache around the edge of the frosted cake. Add frosting dollops to the top and place strawberries on top of each frosting dollop. Slice and serve.