Chocolate Cake with Caramel, Strawberry & Peanut Topping

 🍫🍓 Chocolate Cake with Caramel, Strawberry & Peanut Topping 🥜🍰

A rich, moist chocolate cake layered with silky frosting and gooey caramel, topped with juicy strawberries and crunchy peanuts! 😍

Ingredients:

* 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

* ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

* 1 ½ tsp baking powder

* 1 ½ tsp baking soda

* ½ tsp salt

* 2 cups granulated sugar

* 2 large eggs

* 1 cup whole milk

* ½ cup vegetable oil

* 2 tsp vanilla extract

* 1 cup boiling water

**For the filling and frosting:**

* 1 ½ cups chocolate whipped cream or chocolate buttercream

* ½ cup caramel sauce (plus extra for topping)

**For the topping:**

* 2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts

* 2-3 fresh strawberries

* Melted chocolate for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).

4. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 28–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

5. Cool cakes completely, then slice each in half horizontally to create 4 thin layers.

6. Layer the cake: Place one layer on a plate, spread chocolate frosting, then top with a layer of caramel. Repeat until all layers are stacked.

7. Pour caramel over the top, drizzle with melted chocolate, and sprinkle with chopped peanuts.

8. Garnish with fresh strawberries and chill for 20 minutes before serving.

Pro Tip:

Warm the caramel sauce slightly before drizzling for that perfect, mouthwatering drip effect! 😋