Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Brownie Cake

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
03 - 1 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
04 - 2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 3.5 oz semi-sweet chocolate bar (70%), melted
08 - 3/4 cup oil (canola or vegetable)
09 - 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
10 - 1 1/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
11 - 4 large eggs, room temperature
12 - 3/4 cup hot water, steaming

→ Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

13 - 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
14 - 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, slightly cold
15 - 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
16 - 2 oz freeze dried strawberries, grounded
17 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
18 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
19 - 1/3 cup heavy cream

→ Chocolate Drip

20 - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
21 - 3/4 cup heavy cream

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray three 8-inch cake pans with baking spray, line with parchment circles, and spray again.
02 - Melt chocolate in microwave in 30-second and 15-second intervals, stirring between each. Set aside to cool.
03 - Sift flour and cocoa powder in a large bowl. Add sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
04 - Mix oil, vanilla, buttermilk, eggs, and melted chocolate. Slowly stir in hot steaming water to avoid cooking eggs.
05 - Pour wet ingredients into dry and whisk until just combined. Divide batter between prepared pans.
06 - Bake for 25-27 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before transferring to rack.
07 - Beat butter and cream cheese 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar mixed with ground strawberries gradually. Mix in vanilla, salt, and cream until fluffy.
08 - Pour hot cream over chocolate chips, let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
09 - Level chilled cakes if needed. Layer with 1 cup frosting between each layer. Apply crumb coat, freeze briefly, then frost completely.
10 - Add chocolate drip and top with chocolate covered strawberries.

# Notes:

01 - Use spooned and leveled flour or kitchen scale for accuracy
02 - Add extra 2 tablespoons flour for high altitude
03 - Bring dairy ingredients to room temperature 2 hours before baking