CHOCOLATE-STRAWBERRY CELEBRATION CAKE

Chocolate-Strawberry Celebration Cake image

Although I have some great "from-scratch" recipes, this chocolate strawberry celebration cake uses a boxed mix with plenty of doctoring. It has become a popular groom's cake that gets more attention than the wedding cake. -Nora Fitzgerald, Sevierville, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size)
1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
FROSTING:
2 cups butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1/2 cup 2% milk
GARNISHES:
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled
Seedless strawberry jam, warmed, optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine the first seven ingredients; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Transfer to two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans., Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 28-32 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a large bowl, cream butter, confectioner's sugar and cocoa until light and fluffy. Beat in milk until smooth. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake., For ganache, place chocolate in a small bowl. Heat cream just to a boil; pour over chocolate and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over top of cake, allowing ganache to drape down the sides. Arrange strawberries on top of cake. If desired, brush jam onto strawberries.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 666 calories, Fat 40g fat (23g saturated fat), Cholesterol 120mg cholesterol, Sodium 485mg sodium, Carbohydrate 69g carbohydrate (50g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein.