Go Back
–+ servings
Closeup of slice of cake on white plate with roses.
Print

Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Filling

A deliciously decadent chocolate cake filled with strawberry filling and covered with creamy chocolate cream cheese frosting. It's easy, perfect for chocolate lovers, and a showstopper dessert for special occasions.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 319kcal
Author Linda Warren

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup strong coffee + 2 Tablespoons
  • 2 Tablespoons Grand Marnier (optional) if not using increase total quantity of coffee to 1 cup.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • ½ cup confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 Tablespoons sour cream
  • 4-5 strawberries, pureed (about ¼ cup)
  • 5-6 strawberries, diced

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 12 oz. full fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • ¾ cup butter, room temperature
  • 3 ½ cups confectioners sugar
  • ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 Tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 3 8" cake pans then line the bottom with parchment paper and grease it.
  • In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Stir well and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, coffee and Grand Marnier until well combined. Add to dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
  • Pour into prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until set. Cool in pans for 20 minutes then turn out and cool completely on a wire rack.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Beat cream cheese at high speed with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
  • Continue beating while adding butter and beat until well mixed.
  • Add sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon cream and beat until creamy. If too thick to spread, add the additional cream. I usually add both tablespoons.

Strawberry Cheesecake Filling

  • Cream together cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add vanilla & sour cream and mix well. Stir in pureed strawberries adding just enough to keep the cheesecake batter stiff. Stir in diced strawberries for that extra pop of flavor.

To Assemble

  • Place one cake layer on a serving dish. Pipe a line of frosting around the edge of the layer to keep the strawberry cheesecake filling from oozing out. Spread a generous layer of strawberry cheesecake filling in the center of the layer out to the frosting. Top with second layer, pipe frosting around edge, spread with strawberry cheesecake filling then top with the final layer.
  • Frost sides and top of cake and decorate with piped frosting, strawberries, whole or sliced, flowers or chocolate shavings.
  • Store in refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 223mg | Potassium: 254mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 218IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg