Introduction
Ever wished you could whip up a decadent chocolate cake without spending hours in the kitchen? This recipe is your answer! We’re transforming everyday pantry staples into a moist, rich chocolate cake that’s perfect for any occasion, from a cozy night in to a family celebration. Get ready to impress everyone with this surprisingly simple dessert!
Why This Works
This recipe works because it’s a perfect blend of simple techniques and big flavor. The combination of rich cocoa powder and sweet strawberry jam creates a delightful contrast that’s both comforting and exciting. Plus, it’s incredibly forgiving – even beginner bakers will find success!
Key Ingredients
- 🍫 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 🍫 2 cups granulated sugar
- 🍓 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 🥛 1 cup buttermilk
- 🥚 2 large eggs
- 🧈 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 🥄 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 🧂 1 teaspoon salt
- 🍓 1 cup strawberry jam
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. This ensures your cake layers come out nice and clean!
2️⃣ In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined – no lumps allowed!
3️⃣ In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter.
4️⃣ Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix! Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
5️⃣ Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
6️⃣ Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7️⃣ Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8️⃣ Once the cakes are completely cool, frost with your favorite frosting and spread strawberry jam in the middle.
Handy Tips
- Use good quality cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
- Don’t overbake the cakes! Overbaked cakes can be dry.
- Let the cakes cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Heat Control
Baking at 350°F (175°C) ensures the cake bakes evenly and doesn’t burn. If your oven runs hot, you might need to reduce the temperature slightly and check for doneness a few minutes earlier.
Crunch Factor
While this cake isn’t particularly crunchy, the contrast between the soft, moist cake and the slightly tart strawberry jam provides a delightful textural experience.
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- For an even richer chocolate flavor, add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
- Use homemade strawberry jam for an extra special touch!
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
Storage Tips
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Gift Packaging Ideas
This cake makes a wonderful gift! Present it in a pretty cake carrier or box, decorated with a ribbon. A handwritten card with the recipe included would be a thoughtful addition.
Flavor Variations
🌟 Chocolate Chip Strawberry Swirl: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter and swirl in the strawberry jam before baking.
🌟 Raspberry Delight: Substitute raspberry jam for the strawberry jam.
🌟 Cream Cheese Frosting: Use cream cheese frosting instead of your usual frosting for a tangy twist.
🌟 Lemon Zest: Add the zest of one lemon to the batter for a citrusy boost.
Troubleshooting
- Cake is dry: You may have overbaked it. Next time, check for doneness a few minutes earlier.
- Cake is dense: You may have overmixed the batter. Try to mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Cake sunk in the middle: This could be due to underbaking or opening the oven door too frequently during baking.
FAQ
- Can I use other types of jam? Yes! Try raspberry, blackberry, or even apricot jam.
- Can I make this cake in a different shaped pan? Yes, you can adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Can I freeze this cake? Yes, you can freeze the baked cake layers before frosting them. Thaw completely before frosting and serving.
- What type of frosting should I use? Any type of frosting will work! Chocolate, vanilla, cream cheese – the choice is yours!
Conclusion
This Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Jam is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Its simple recipe, delicious flavors, and easy-to-follow instructions make it perfect for bakers of all skill levels. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to bake some happiness! Share your creations with us on Ratemyrecipes.com – we can’t wait to see your delicious results!
Strawberry Jam Surprise Chocolate Cake
A decadent chocolate cake with a delightful surprise of strawberry jam in the center, perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 u00be cups all-purpose flour
- 1 u00bd cups granulated sugar
- u00be cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 u00bd teaspoons baking powder
- 1 u00bd teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- u00bd cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- u00bd cup strawberry jam
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180u00b0C (350u00b0F). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth; it will be thin.
- Pour half of the batter into each prepared cake pan.
- Drop spoonfuls of strawberry jam onto the center of each cake batter, then cover with the remaining batter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
- Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips
- For a richer flavor, you can use dark chocolate cocoa powder.
- Make sure the strawberry jam is at room temperature before adding it to the batter for easier spreading.