Strawberry Nutella Chocolate Cake

Cake Ingredients:

·         2 sticks Butter

·         4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa Powder

·         1 cup Boiling Water

·         2 cups Flour

·         2 cups Sugar

·         1/4 teaspoon Salt

·         1/2 cup Buttermilk

·         2 whole Eggs

·         1 teaspoon Baking Soda

·         1 teaspoon Vanilla

·         1-1/2 cup Nutella

 Strawberries:

·         2 pints Strawberries, Hulled And Sliced

·         1/4 cup Sugar

·         1 teaspoon Vanilla (optional, I prefer without)

Whipped Cream Or Use Cool Whip

·         1 cups Heavy Cream

·         1/4 cup Powdered Sugar

Preparation Instructions:

·         Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 round baking pans with parchment, then spray the parchment with baking spray.

·         In a large mixing bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, and salt.

·         In a measuring pitcher or bowl, mix together the buttermilk, baking soda, eggs, and vanilla. Set aside

·         In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the cocoa and stir it until smooth. Pour in the boiling water, let the mixture bubble up for 20 seconds or so, then turn it off and set it aside.

·         

·         Stir in the hot chocolate mixture into the flour mixture, stirring gently until it's halfway combined and less hot. Pour in the buttermilk mixture and continue stirring gently until the batter is all combined.

·         Pour the batter into the pans and bake them for 20-25 minutes (start with 20 and check, you don't want to over cook), until they're just set. Remove them from the pans and set them aside to cool completely.

·         Prepare the strawberries by stirring them with the sugar and the vanilla. Let them macerate for 15 minutes, then drain off the excess juice.

·         Whip the cream with the powdered sugar.

Note: Don't assemble more than an hour before serving

·         To assemble: Cut the top of each cake off so it is flat. Turn one layer upside down on a serving platter. Spread half the Nutella all over the surface. Spread a thin layer of whipped cream (half or less) and top with half the strawberries Place the second layer upside down on top and repeat with the rest of the Nutella, whipped cream, and strawberries. Keep chilled until serving. Cut with a serrated knife!