There’s nothing quite like a homemade cake to bring smiles to a party, but who has hours to spend in the kitchen? This strawberry chocolate skillet cake is here to save the day, offering all the joy of a celebratory dessert with a fraction of the effort. It’s a true crowd-pleaser that looks as impressive as it tastes, making you the star of any gathering.
This recipe is designed for real life – busy schedules, impromptu get-togethers, and the desire for something delicious without the fuss. We’re talking fresh strawberries, rich chocolate, and a single skillet for minimal cleanup. Get ready to discover your new go-to dessert for every celebration!
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Strawberry Chocolate Skillet Cake
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This strawberry chocolate skillet cake is a quick and easy dessert that combines fresh strawberries and rich chocolate, baked in a single skillet for minimal cleanup. It’s perfect for parties, family dinners, or any casual celebration, offering a rustic charm and delicious flavor with little effort.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Prepare your skillet and oven: Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C). Lightly grease a 10-inch oven-safe skillet (cast iron works wonderfully) with butter or cooking spray. Dust with a little cocoa powder to prevent sticking and enhance the chocolate flavor, tapping out any excess.
2. 2. Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined and there are no lumps.
3. 3. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. 4. Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula or whisk until just combined. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
5. 5. Add hot water: Carefully pour the hot water into the batter and stir until just incorporated. The batter will be thin, which is exactly what you want for a moist cake.
6. 6. Assemble and bake: Pour half of the batter into the prepared skillet. Arrange half of the sliced strawberries evenly over the batter, then sprinkle with half of the chocolate chips. Pour the remaining batter over the fruit and chocolate, then top with the rest of the strawberries and chocolate chips.
7. 7. Bake until done: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. The edges should be set and slightly pulled away from the skillet.
8. 8. Cool and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the cake cool in the skillet on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows it to set properly. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving, if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
Keywords: skillet cake, strawberry, chocolate, easy dessert, quick cake, party food, homemade, fruit dessert, chocolate cake, baking
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This strawberry chocolate skillet cake is an absolute winner for so many reasons. First and foremost, it’s incredibly straightforward to make, perfect for anyone from baking beginners to seasoned home cooks looking for a speedy dessert. The beauty of baking it in a single skillet means less cleanup, which is always a bonus when you’re hosting or just trying to get dinner on the table. It’s a fantastic option for family dinners, potlucks, birthday parties, or any casual celebration where you want to serve something special without a lot of stress. The combination of sweet, juicy fresh strawberries and decadent chocolate is a classic pairing that appeals to almost everyone, ensuring there won’t be a crumb left behind. Plus, serving a cake directly from the skillet adds a rustic, charming touch that guests adore.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start is key to a smooth baking process. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh produce, making it easy to pull together even on short notice. Don’t worry about fancy equipment; a standard oven-safe skillet is all you’ll need!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
For simple substitutions, if you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then filling the rest with regular milk until it reaches 1 cup. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. For the chocolate chips, feel free to use your favorite kind – dark chocolate chips would add a more intense chocolate flavor, while white chocolate chips could offer a sweeter contrast. If fresh strawberries aren’t in season, you can use thawed frozen strawberries, just be sure to drain any excess liquid.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
One of the best features of this skillet cake is its efficiency. You won’t be spending your whole day in the kitchen, allowing you more time to enjoy your party or relax.
Preparation time: 15 minutes Baking time: 30-35 minutes Total time: Approximately 45-50 minutes
This timing includes a little bit of cooling time before serving, ensuring the cake is perfectly set and ready to enjoy.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making this strawberry chocolate skillet cake is a breeze. Follow these steps for a perfectly moist and delicious dessert every time.
- Prepare your skillet and oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 10-inch oven-safe skillet (cast iron works wonderfully) with butter or cooking spray. Dust with a little cocoa powder to prevent sticking and enhance the chocolate flavor, tapping out any excess.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined and there are no lumps.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula or whisk until just combined. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
- Add hot water: Carefully pour the hot water into the batter and stir until just incorporated. The batter will be thin, which is exactly what you want for a moist cake.
- Assemble and bake: Pour half of the batter into the prepared skillet. Arrange half of the sliced strawberries evenly over the batter, then sprinkle with half of the chocolate chips. Pour the remaining batter over the fruit and chocolate, then top with the rest of the strawberries and chocolate chips.
- Bake until done: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs, but not wet batter. The edges should be set and slightly pulled away from the skillet.
- Cool and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the cake cool in the skillet on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows it to set properly. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving, if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This strawberry chocolate skillet cake is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you could add a handful of mini marshmallows on top during the last 5 minutes of baking for a gooey, melted topping. Another fun idea is to swap out some of the strawberries for raspberries or cherries for a different berry flavor profile.
When serving for a party or buffet, you can simply place the warm skillet cake in the center of the table with a serving spoon. Offer a variety of toppings on the side, such as a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. This allows guests to customize their slice. For a more elegant presentation, you can cut slices directly from the skillet and transfer them to individual plates. This cake is also fantastic for a cozy night in; just grab a fork and eat it straight from the skillet!
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even the simplest recipes can have a few pitfalls. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for when making your skillet cake:
- Overmixing the batter: This is a common baking mistake that can lead to a tough, dense cake. Once the wet and dry ingredients are just combined, stop mixing. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
- Not greasing the skillet properly: If your skillet isn’t adequately greased and floured (or cocoa powdered), the cake might stick, making it difficult to serve cleanly. Be generous with your grease and cocoa.
- Opening the oven door too often: Resist the urge to constantly check on your cake. Opening the oven door too frequently can cause the temperature to drop, leading to uneven baking or a sunken cake.
- Not letting it cool enough: While tempting to dive in immediately, allowing the cake to cool for at least 15-20 minutes in the skillet helps it set and makes it easier to slice without crumbling.
- Using cold ingredients: For best results, ensure your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify better with other ingredients, leading to a smoother batter and a more even texture.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This strawberry chocolate skillet cake is best enjoyed fresh and warm, but it stores well if you have leftovers or want to make it a few hours ahead of time.
Storage: If you have any cake left over, cover the skillet tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The texture might become slightly denser when chilled, but it will still be delicious.
Reheating: To reheat, you can warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-30 seconds until just warm. Alternatively, place the entire skillet (if cast iron and suitable for oven use) back into a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. This can help bring back some of its original moistness.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the cake batter up to 1-2 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. However, it’s generally best to bake it fresh. If you want to get a head start, you can slice your strawberries and measure out all your dry ingredients in advance, storing them separately until you’re ready to mix and bake. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving, not when storing, to prevent it from dissolving.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Here are some common questions that often come up when people are preparing this delicious skillet cake.
Can I use frozen strawberries? Yes, you can! If using frozen strawberries, make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before adding them to the batter
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
