Chocolate Vanilla Strawberry Cake Layers (Printable Version)
Classic triple-layer dessert with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Base
01 - 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ¼ teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 2 cups granulated sugar
07 - 4 large eggs
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
09 - 1¼ cups whole milk
→ Chocolate Layer
10 - ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
11 - 3 tablespoons milk
→ Strawberry Layer
12 - ½ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries or ¼ cup strawberry puree
13 - Pink or red food coloring (optional)
14 - ½ teaspoon strawberry extract (optional)
→ Buttercream Frosting
15 - 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
16 - 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
17 - ¼ cup heavy cream or milk
18 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
19 - Pinch of salt
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
04 - Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the batter, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide the batter equally into three bowls.
06 - For the chocolate layer, mix cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons milk in a small bowl until smooth, then fold into one portion of batter.
07 - For the strawberry layer, fold in strawberries or puree, strawberry extract, and coloring if using, into the second portion.
08 - The third portion is your vanilla layer—leave as is.
09 - Pour each batter into its prepared pan. Smooth the tops. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10 - Allow cakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
11 - Beat butter until creamy, gradually add powdered sugar and salt, mixing well. Add vanilla and cream; beat until fluffy.
12 - Trim cakes for even layers if necessary. Place the chocolate layer on a serving plate, spread a layer of buttercream. Repeat with strawberry and vanilla layers.
13 - Cover the entire cake with a thin crumb coat of frosting. Chill 30 minutes, then frost with remaining buttercream.
14 - Decorate as desired—classic or with sprinkles, strawberries, or chocolate shavings.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get three beloved flavors in every single slice, making everyone at the table happy
- The visual wow factor when you cut into those distinct colorful layers is absolutely worth the extra effort
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients are absolutely essential for proper batter texture and even baking
- Measuring your batter portions by weight instead of volume ensures all three layers are the same height
03 -
- Invest in an offset spatula if you make layered cakes regularly, it makes all the difference in smooth frosting application
- Rotate your cake pans halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots, ensuring all three layers bake evenly