Chocolate And Strawberries Cake

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs

Ganache

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate pieces
• 1 1/2 cups strawberry jam
• 8 large strawberries, halved

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease 2 x 9 inch round cake pans.
3. In large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
4. In separate bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and boiling water.
5. Add sugar, milk and vanilla.
6. Beat together eggs and butter and add to wet mixture.
7. Blend well then add in flour mixture, mixing well.
8. Pour batter evenly into cake pans and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Allow to cool completely before icing.

Ganache

1. In large saucepan, heat cream and chocolate over medium heat until chocolate melts, stirring frequently.
2. Set aside to cool before icing.

Assembly

1. Whip room temperature ganache until it is light and fluffy.
2. Spread one cake layer evenly with straberry jam, then place the second layer on top.
3. Frost stacked cakes with ganache, including sides.
4. Place large dollops of ganache in 16 even spaces around upper edge of cake.
5. Place 1/2 strawberry on each dollop of ganache.