From JOANN

Mountain of strawberry and chocolate goodness

YOU’LL NEED
Strawberry Whipped Cream
2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 1/2 cups strawberries, pureed & strained

Cake
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk

Chocolate Ganache
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 cups strawberries, sliced + additional for garnish

Basic cooking supplies
Wilton Easy Layers! Cake Pan Set
Wilton Cooling grid
Cake board or serving plate

DIRECTIONS

1. For whipped cream, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over cold water. Let stand until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Heat in microwave 10 to 15 seconds; stir until dissolved and liquid; repeat if needed. In large bowl, whip cream and confectioners’ sugar to soft peaks. Add dissolved gelatin and strawberry puree; whip until well combined. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours, or until gelatin has set and cream is spreadable.

2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare Easy Layers! cake pans with vegetable pan spray.

3. In large bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Add vanilla; mix well. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating until just combined. Divide evenly into prepared pans.

4. Bake 18 to 21 minutes, rotating pans half way between baking. Cakes are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pans on cooling grid; remove from pans and cool completely.

5. For ganache, heat cream until steaming. Add chocolate and let sit until softened. Stir until combined. Cool to room temperature.

6. To assemble, cut the crowns off of each cake layer. Place first layer on cake board or serving plate. Spread a thin layer of ganache to edges of cake. Cover with a thicker layer of strawberry whipped cream. Add a single layer of sliced strawberries, pressing gently into whipped cream. Repeat with remaining cake layers. Garnish top with additional whole strawberries.

Find this recipe and more holiday treats at joann.com