Introduction
Ready to bake up some serious happiness? This Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Jam recipe is all about transforming everyday ingredients into a truly delightful dessert. It’s easy enough for even the youngest bakers to help with (under supervision, of course!), and the result? A moist, chocolatey cake with a sweet and tangy surprise in every bite. Get ready for family raves!
Why This Works
This recipe hits all the right notes! The rich, decadent chocolate cake provides the perfect base for the bright, fruity strawberry jam. It’s a delicious balance of flavors and textures that’s sure to please everyone. Plus, the recipe itself is super straightforward, making it a perfect weeknight dessert or a fun weekend baking project. No fancy equipment needed – just simple ingredients and a whole lot of love!
Key Ingredients
- 🍫 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ☕ 2 cups granulated sugar
- 🥄 ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 🥛 1 ½ cups milk
- 🥚 1 cup vegetable oil
- 🥚 3 large eggs
- 🥚 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 🥄 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 🧂 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 prevents sticking and ensures a beautiful cake release.
2️⃣ In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined – no lumps allowed!
3️⃣ In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, and eggs until smooth.
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 wooden skewer 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, spread a generous layer of strawberry jam between the two layers. You can even frost the top with your favorite chocolate frosting for an extra decadent treat!
Handy Tips
- Use good quality cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
- Don’t overbake the cakes! Slightly underbaked cakes are usually more moist.
- Let the cakes cool completely before frosting or assembling. This prevents the frosting from melting.
Heat Control
Baking at 350°F (175°C) ensures the cake bakes evenly and doesn’t burn. Using an oven thermometer can help ensure your oven is at the correct temperature. If your oven runs hot, you may need to reduce the baking time slightly.
Crunch Factor
This recipe focuses on a moist, tender crumb. The strawberry jam adds a delightful contrasting texture, offering a burst of juicy sweetness against the soft cake.
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- For extra chocolate intensity, add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
- A dollop of sour cream or buttermilk added to the wet ingredients will make the cake even more moist.
- Use different types of jam! Raspberry or blackberry would be delicious, too.
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! Wrap individual slices in pretty cellophane with a ribbon, or bake the cake in a smaller pan and present it in a decorative cake carrier.
Flavor Variations
🌟 Chocolate Chip Swirl: Fold in ½ cup chocolate chips to the batter before baking.
🌟 Cream Cheese Frosting: Top the cake with a creamy cream cheese frosting for a delightful contrast to the jam.
🌟 Lemon Strawberry Jam: Use a lemon-flavored strawberry jam for a zesty twist.
🌟 Added Nuts: Fold in ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) for added texture and flavor.
Troubleshooting
- Cake is dry: You may have overbaked it. Next time, check for doneness earlier.
- Cake is dense: You may have overmixed the batter. Try mixing until just combined next time.
- Cake stuck to the pan: Make sure you grease and flour the pans well.
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of jam? Absolutely! Experiment with your favorite fruit preserves.
- Can I make this cake in a bundt pan? Yes, adjust the baking time as needed.
- Can I freeze this cake? Yes, freeze unfrosted slices for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- What kind of frosting works best? Chocolate frosting is a classic pairing, but cream cheese frosting also complements the strawberry jam beautifully.
- How many servings does this recipe make? This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
Conclusion
So there you have it – a simple, delicious chocolate cake recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. We hope you enjoy baking and sharing this delightful treat with your loved ones! Don’t forget to share your creations and rate this recipe on RateMyRecipes.com – we’d love to hear from you! Happy baking!
Strawberry Jam Surprise Chocolate Cake
A delightful chocolate cake filled with a luscious strawberry jam surprise, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 u00be cups all-purpose flour
- u00bd cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- u00bd teaspoon baking powder
- u00bd teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- u00bd cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- u00bd cup strawberry jam
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350u00b0 F (175u00b0 C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk, and mix until just combined.
- Divide half of the batter between the prepared pans. Make a well in the center of each cake layer and spoon u00bc cup of strawberry jam into the well.
- Top with the remaining batter, covering the jam completely.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Once cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar and serve.
Tips
- Make sure the jam is thick enough to prevent it from leaking out during baking.
- For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder.