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01
GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE LAYERS:
Spray two 8" cake pans with cooking oil.
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02
STRAWBERRIES:
While the cakes are cooling, wash the strawberries. Set aside 3-6 strawberries that look nice and leave them whole for dipping later (3 large or 6 smaller).
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03
CHOCOLATE GLAZE:
Add semi-sweet chocolate chunks, water, and butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second increments, stirring after every 30 seconds until chocolate is melted.
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04
HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM:
To the mixing bowl, add the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and pure vanilla extract. Use the whisk attachment to beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
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05
ASSEMBLE IT ALL:
Dip the reserved whole strawberries in the chocolate glaze and set on wax paper.
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06
GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE LAYERS:
In your mixing bowl, combine flour, xanthan gum (if needed), sugar, baking soda, and salt.
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07
STRAWBERRIES:
Cut the tops of remaining strawberries, then slice each strawberry in half. Set aside.
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08
CHOCOLATE GLAZE:
Whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
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09
ASSEMBLE IT ALL:
On your cake stand or platter, place one of the cake layers.
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10
GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE LAYERS:
In a medium saucepan, combine butter, cocoa, and 1 cup water. Bring just to boiling, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and add to dry ingredients, beat until combined.
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11
ASSEMBLE IT ALL:
Place half of the strawberries on the cake layer. You can just dump them, or you can hand place them flat as I did so the edges look pretty.
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12
GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE LAYERS:
Add buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla to mixing bowl and beat for one minute on low-medium speed.
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13
ASSEMBLE IT ALL:
Drizzle with half of the chocolate glaze.
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14
GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE LAYERS:
Pour batter into greased pan. Bake at 350℉ for 32 minutes. A toothpick inserted into cakes near the center will come out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. I also rotated my cake pans partway through baking to help them bake evenly.
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15
ASSEMBLE IT ALL:
Gently spread half of the whipped cream.
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16
GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CAKE LAYERS:
Place pans on a cooling rack to cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Then I like to use a plastic knife to loosen the cake around the edges of the pan and place the pan upside down on a cooling rack to allow the cake to fall free from the pan. (Do this carefully!)
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17
ASSEMBLE IT ALL:
Repeat layers exactly the same, except don't spread the whipped cream all the way to the edge - leave about 3/4" -1" ring so that the top looks pretty!
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18
ASSEMBLE IT ALL:
Place the dipped whole strawberries on top!
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19
ASSEMBLE IT ALL:
Chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours.
Carefully slice and serve. Refrigerate leftovers.