Monday, August 4, 2008

Chocolate Strawberry Cake

This just looked too good to pass up. You could also dip strawberries in chocolate to place around the base...yummy.
Ingredients:
2 cups boiling water
1 cup baking cocoa
1 cup butter, softened
2-1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 quart fresh strawberries
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, melted
FROSTING:
2/3 cup shortening
1 package (32 ounces) confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup water
ICING:
1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
Chocolate shavings and additional confectioners' sugar, optional
Directions: In a small bowl, stir water into cocoa until blended; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture alternately with cocoa mixture, beating well after each addition. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. heart-shaped pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Slice 10 strawberries; set aside. Dip remaining whole strawberries into melted chocolate, about three-fourths to top. Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet; refrigerate until set. For frosting, cream shortening and confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy; gradually add water, beating until smooth. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Set aside to dry, about 30 minutes. For icing, heat chocolate chips and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until chocolate is melted, stirring occasionally. Spread over frosted cake until smooth. Refrigerate until set. Before serving, arrange two rows of sliced strawberries on top of cake in a heart shape. Fill center with chocolate shavings and dust with confectioners' sugar if desired. Place dipped strawberries around base. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 10-12 servings.

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