Chocolate Sour Cream Cake-Part 1

This is the kind of cake that makes people put down their phones and pay attention.

Sour cream keeps the chocolate layers impossibly moist, while a filling of toasted nuts and coconut adds texture between them. The fluffy cocoa frosting goes on thick, and the whole thing gets crowned with chocolate-dipped strawberries and fresh mint.

It takes some effort, but every layer earns its place.

Pro Tips

• Bloom the cocoa in boiling water and let it cool before adding to the batter. This deepens the chocolate flavor dramatically.
• Use cake flour, not all-purpose. It gives the crumb that tender, velvety texture sour cream cakes are known for.
• Dip strawberries in melted semi-sweet chips mixed with a little shortening for a smooth, glossy coat that sets firm.
• Let the cake layers cool completely before frosting, or the cocoa buttercream will slide right off.