Description
Chocolate Strawberry Garden Cake is a decadent, double-layer chocolate cake filled and frosted with chocolate ganache or buttercream and decorated with fresh strawberries and edible flowers. Styled like a blooming garden bed, it’s perfect for birthdays, spring parties, or any celebration where elegance meets fun.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup hot coffee or water
- For the Chocolate Frosting:
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- For the Garden Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups crushed chocolate cookies (for “soil”)
- 1 pint fresh strawberries
- Edible flowers (like pansies, violas, chamomile)
- Optional: mint leaves, rosemary sprigs, chocolate mushrooms, candy bugs
Instructions
- Bake the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat sugars with oil, then add eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in buttermilk, then stir in the dry ingredients and hot coffee or water.
- Divide between pans and bake for 30–35 minutes. Cool completely.
- Make the Frosting:
- Beat butter until creamy. Add cocoa, then slowly add powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Layer cakes with chocolate frosting between them. Frost the outside and top.
- Press crushed cookie “soil” on top.
- Arrange fresh strawberries to look like they’re growing, add edible flowers and herbs to create a garden look.
Notes
- Use small strawberries for a “planted” effect, and leave green tops on for a natural look.
- Add flower picks or decorative mushrooms for a fairy-garden twist.
- Store in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~560
- Sugar: ~50g
- Sodium: ~300mg
- Fat: ~28g
- Saturated Fat: ~17g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~9g
- Trans Fat: ~0.5g
- Carbohydrates: ~68g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Protein: ~6g
- Cholesterol: ~85mg
