Easy Valentines Cake with the BEST Strawberry Frosting (2024)

Cake

• 1 box chocolate cake mix*
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tbs vanilla
• ¾ cup sour cream
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 4 eggs
• ¼ cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional

Strawberry Buttercream

• ½ cup strawberries* about 6-8 strawberries
• ¼ cup water
• Pinch of salt
• 1 ½ cups butter slightly softened
• 1 ½ teaspoon Vanilla
• 6 ½ cups powdered sugar + more if needed
• 5 tbs heavy cream + more if needed
• 3-4 drops LorAnn Strawberry Oil* optional but recommended
• Neon Pink Food Gel- optional but really gives it that pink color you want

Ganache

• ¼ heavy cream
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Strawberries Sprinkles, Crushed Chocolate, Candies as toppings (optional)

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray two 8 in cake pans with a flouring baking spray (like baker’s joy)

• Mix together, either by hand or in a stand mixer, the oil, vanilla, sour cream, heavy cream and eggs. Then mix in the boxed cake mix, cocoa powder, and espresso powder if using.

  1 box chocolate cake mix*, ½ cup vegetable oil, 2 tbs vanilla, ¾ cup sour cream, ¾ cup heavy cream, 4 eggs, ¼ cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon espresso powder

• Pour batter into cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes- or until a toothpick comes out clean. *

  

• Once baked allow to cool and make your frosting.

  

Strawberry Buttercream

• In a medium sauce pan, combine water, strawberries, and salt. Heat over medium heat, mashing the strawberries as the liquid boils.

  ½ cup strawberries*, Pinch of salt, ¼ cup water

  

• Boil until liquid is reduced to about ¼ cup, 3-4 minutes. Once at ¼ cup, remove from heat and refrigerate until cool.*

  

• In a stand mixer beat butter on medium until fluffy. Mix in the vanilla, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until a buttercream forms.

  1 ½ cups butter, 1 ½ teaspoon Vanilla, 6 ½ cups powdered sugar + more if needed, 5 tbs heavy cream + more if needed

  

• Add in the strawberries, a few drops of the strawberry oil, and a few drops of the gel food coloring.

  3-4 drops LorAnn Strawberry Oil*, Neon Pink Food Gel- optional but really gives it that pink color you want

  

• Mix until fluffy. If the mixture is too runny add more powdered sugar (¼ cup at a time), and if it’s too stiff add more heavy cream (1tbs at a time).

  

Frost the Cake

• Place the first cake layer on your cake plate or board. Add a nice layer of strawberry buttercream, then place the second cake laver over that.

  

• Frost the cake with strawberry buttercream* the refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to allow the buttercream to setup.

  

• While refrigerating the cake, make your ganache. In a microwave safe dish combine heavy cream and chocolate chips. Microwave on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and combined. Usually takes about 1 minutes.

  ¼ heavy cream, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

  

• Pour the ganache over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Before it sets up place any candies or strawberries on top.

  Strawberries

  

• Enjoy!

  

Tips and Tricks

• *If you prefer a homemade chocolate cake, use this recipe but cut it half- it’s my favorite!
• *If you don’t have the extra ingredients to doctor the box mix just follow the directions on the back of the box and bake accordingly.
• *If you have a thermometer, the cakes will be done at an internal temperature of 205-210°F
• *Strawberry Oil can be found in the baking/decorating isle of most grocery stores. It comes in a tiny bottle but you only need a few drops. You can also buy it online here.
• *You can use fresh or frozen strawberries, just make sure they are thawed if using frozen.
• *If your strawberry mixture is too chunky you can smooth it out by using an immersion blender on it.
• *The strawberry buttercream makes enough for a single coat without a crumb coat. If you want a super smooth finish with a sharp edge (like seed here), I recommend doubling the frosting, doing crumb coat then a final coat.
• *Refrigerate cake and any leftovers. It’s best to keep sliced cake in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.