This White Chocolate Strawberry Mud Cake recipe offers a delightful twist on classic strawberry cake recipes. You’ll create a rich, moist cake bursting with strawberry flavor, complemented by creamy white chocolate. It’s a perfect dessert for any occasion and surprisingly simple to master.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Fresh Strawberries: Essential for that vibrant taste; frozen strawberries can work in a pinch if thawed and drained well.
- White Chocolate: Use good quality white chocolate chips or a chopped bar for best melting.
- All-Purpose Flour: Standard for cake structure; a gluten-free all-purpose blend can be substituted.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness; margarine can be used but may alter flavor slightly.
- Sour Cream: Contributes to moisture and tenderness; plain yogurt is a suitable alternative.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and finely diced
For the White Chocolate Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled
- ¼ cup milk (if needed for consistency)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-65 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Tools Needed: 9×13 inch baking pan, mixing bowls, electric mixer, saucepan
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, ensuring it’s ready for your strawberry cake mixture. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside. This step evenly distributes your leavening agents for a light cake.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This creates air pockets for a tender crumb.
4. Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the sour cream and buttermilk, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix at this stage.
5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Strawberries
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Fold in the finely diced fresh strawberries gently. This prevents overdeveloping the gluten.
6. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
7. Make the White Chocolate Frosting
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then the vanilla extract and cooled melted white chocolate. Beat until fluffy, adding milk a tablespoon at a time if you need a thinner consistency.
8. Frost and Garnish
Once the strawberry cake is completely cool, spread the white chocolate frosting evenly over the top. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices if desired.
Variation Ideas:
- Chocolate Drizzle: Add a dark chocolate drizzle over the white chocolate frosting for extra richness.
- Strawberry Puree: Swirl a little extra strawberry puree into the batter for a more intense fruit flavor.
- Mini Cakes: Bake the batter in a muffin tin for individual white chocolate strawberry mud cakes.
Storage Instructions:
Store your white chocolate strawberry mud cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices, tightly wrapped, for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Can you use frozen strawberries? Yes, but thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid to avoid a watery cake.
- How do you prevent the cake from sticking? Always grease and flour your baking pan thoroughly, or use parchment paper.
- Can you make this cake gluten-free? Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Why is my cake dry? Overmixing the batter or baking for too long can lead to a dry cake. Follow baking times closely.
- How do you melt white chocolate without burning it? Use a double boiler or microwave in short 15-second intervals, stirring in between.
- Can you make this cake ahead of time? Yes, the cake can be baked a day in advance and frosted the next day.