🍰 Decadent Chocolate Strawberry Cake 🍓

Savor Every Slice: A Delightful Treat for Dessert Lovers and Family Gatherings

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberry puree
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- Fresh strawberries for garnish

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round baking pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until well blended.
4. Slowly incorporate the boiling water, then increase the mixer speed and beat for about 1 minute to aerate the batter.
5. Evenly distribute the batter among the prepared baking pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. For the buttercream, whip the butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar on low speed, increasing to high speed once all sugar is mixed in.
8. Add the strawberry puree and additional vanilla extract to the buttercream, beating until fluffy.
9. Assemble the cake by spreading a generous layer of strawberry buttercream between each cake layer, then cover the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
10. Garnish with fresh strawberries before serving.

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎
- Calories: 480 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Fat: 22 g

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to achieve a smoother batter.
- For an extra touch of flavor, brush each cake layer with a simple syrup before frosting.

⏳ Preparation time 🍰
Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 35 minutes | Servings: 12

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