Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Filling and Ganache Topping
Looking for epitome of heaven in every bite? To age myself here with an appropriate song comparison: Truly Madly Deeply. This is a killer dessert, people!
Well, now I must explain, right?
Let’s set the stage here, you want to make a chocolate cake. Now, let’s say it’s an especially hectic day  you are lazy but want cake. Normally you might make that chocolate cake and add some of your favourite icing and call it done.
This is totally fine, I’ve been there. Yet, you deserve more. Better. Again, heaven in every bite.
Insert: Strawberry Cream Chocolate Cake with Ganache Topping
Let’s take this classic chocolate cake and raise the bar a little.
Have you ever tried ganache topping?
Up until recently, I had assumed it wasn’t that big of an addition, for the extra steps. Yet, I’m quite the icing snob as I’ve said before. So, a while back I decided to give ganache a try and very much fell in love with the taste and the creaminess when paired with moist cake.
For the filling, I decided to tempt Spring to come out of hiding and opt for a rich and fluffy strawberry filling. While I almost went for a cool whip based filling, I really wanted the filling to have more form so that it would stand up to being piped and the weight of the top layer of cake.Â
Plus, you just can’t go wrong with Philadelphia Cream Cheese.Â
The last addition is whipped topping and fresh strawberries, for the win. I found some lovely giant strawberries for a decent price this week. It’s so nice to see more affordable berries in stores again, Spring is coming!
I spent a lot of time making this baby pretty for you all to see {psst, wipe the drool off the keyboard}. So much that once I was happy with the photos captured, I turned to see my kids waiting with forks in hand.
This was one of those times when me having to take photos of food before eating, was excruciating for them.
‘It tastes even better than it looks’ applies here x 100. Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Filling and Ganache Topping is a mouthwatering strawberry dessert that is perfect for any and all occasions. ‘Cause you’ll just want to make it that often!
Strawberry filled Chocolate Cake with Ganache Topping
Ingredients
CAKE
- 1/2 box box Betty Crocker Supermoist Devil’s Food Cake mix (about 1 2/3 cups)
- 1/2 c water
- 1/4 c vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- FILLING
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- 2 cups icing sugar (sifted)
- 1/2 cup diced strawberries
- pinch of salt
GANACHE
- 1/3 cup whipping cream
- 1/2 cup semisweet baking chocolate (chopped)
TOPPING {optional}
- melted white chocolate for drizzle (whipped topping & fresh strawberries for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Spray two 8-inch round cake pans with baking spray and springkle some flour on the bottom as well.
- In large bowl: beat cake mix, water, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed. Then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pans and bake 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes and then remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Strawberry filling: puree strawberries in a food processor and then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds. Set aside. Beat the butter, cream cheese and salt using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add the icing sugar slowly and mix until combined. Lastly, add strawberry puree and mix until smooth.
- Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate and spread the strawberry filling generously over the cake {with a knife or piped for a fancier look as I did}. Top with second cake layer.
- Ganache: In a saucepan, heat whipping cream over low heat until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate until melted. Cool the ganache for about 10 minutes. Pour ganache onto top of cake slowly and stop when it just begins to flow over edge of cake. I immediately put mine in the fridge to harden the ganache and stop it from running more.
- When entirely cooled, garnish with melted white chocolate for drizzle, whipped topping & fresh strawberries for garnish. Garnish is optional but makes a lovely touch.
This looks absolutely decadent! I wish I’d had this recipe around Valentine’s Day, it would’ve been so perfect. Oh well, I think I can definitely find an occasion for it.
So true!
Do you know how difficult it was to scroll past the picture in order to read this post? Oh my gosh. Hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I think I might marry that cake.
Ha!! Thank you!
Looks heavenly! Now, I know there is NO WAY I could make it look as good as yours! Worth a try though! Beautiful pics! 🙂
Thank you, I spent A LOT of time perfecting this.
Oh my goodness I am drooling! This looks SO good!
I know … I’m craving it now
Oh my goodness. That looks absolutely amazing!
Thanks Ellen, it’s sooo good!
That just looks like layers of heaven. OMG. You have outdone yourself!!!
Thank you Jennifer! 🙂
mmm choclate and strawberries go so well together the perfect sweet pair.
This looks amazing. I have NEVER tried ganache, but I imagine it a taste of heaven mixed with clouds…hehehe
Yes, you are right! 🙂
I would inhale that if it was in front of me right now!
WOW, I hope you saved me a piece, cause I’m on my way over! Seriously looks amazing I can’t wait to try this one out!
Oh, this did not last once the last photo was taken. My kids? They even licked the plates. Seriously.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried ganache! I want to now though!! The cake is beautiful! I can’t wait to try it.
You would LOVE ganache Stacie!
Wow! These look so pretty and delicious! I would love these for my birthday since I am crazy over strawberries and chocolate together! Have a wonderful weekend! Angie xo
Great idea!
That cake looks amazing! I love how you dressed it up with something other than a canned frosting – that’s why I usually use. LOL!
Once I broke away from the usual, I haven’t gone back! lol
Oh wow, now this I have to try!!
yes, you must!!
What a beautiful photo Tammi! Chocolate and strawberries go so well together, Mmm! Off to Pin and tweet this now.
Thanks Jody!