Decadent Red Wine Chocolate Strawberry Cake: The Ultimate Adult Birthday & Celebration Recipe

There’s something universally enchanting about cake. More than just a dessert, it’s a symbol of joy, a centerpiece for every significant moment in life. From the first slice at a baby shower to the grand cutting at a wedding, and all the birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries in between, cake marks our milestones. It’s the sweet punctuation at the end of every cherished memory. My love affair with cake runs deep, and I believe everyone deserves a truly exceptional cake to celebrate these precious occasions.

A delectable slice of red wine chocolate cake with a creamy filling, positioned in front of a whole cake with a missing piece, ready to be enjoyed.

For those special adult celebrations, or simply for an indulgent treat, allow me to introduce you to a creation that I hold in high esteem: this incredible Red Wine Chocolate Strawberry Cake. Imagine layers of rich, fudgy red wine chocolate cake, perfectly complemented by a luscious, whipped mascarpone strawberry kirsch filling. But the decadence doesn’t stop there. The entire masterpiece is enveloped in a velvety red wine dark chocolate ganache, artfully topped with ganache-dipped strawberries. The best part? Despite its sophisticated appearance and gourmet flavors, this cake requires absolutely no fancy decorating skills. It’s an elegant showstopper that’s surprisingly approachable to make, making it the ultimate adult birthday cake or a romantic Valentine’s Day dessert for your sweetheart. This recipe was inspired by my widely loved Sour Cream Chocolate Cake, taking that beloved moist texture to a new level of richness.

Why This Red Wine Chocolate Strawberry Cake is a Must-Try

As someone who has dedicated over two decades to baking and decorating cakes, I’ve had my fair share of triumphs and learning experiences in the kitchen. Over these 20 years, I’ve honed my craft and developed a keen understanding of what truly makes a great cake. And I can say, without a doubt, that this Red Wine Chocolate Strawberry Cake stands out as one of the very best I have ever created. It’s a testament to balancing complex flavors with a surprisingly simple execution. If you’re searching for adult birthday cake ideas that impress without the stress, this is undoubtedly the one.

My journey through the world of cake making has seen many phases. There was a time when I reveled in creating elaborately decorated fondant character cakes. I remember one year, for my own birthday at a workplace that encouraged employees to bring their own cakes, I crafted a detailed wine bottle-shaped cake. The entire thing was edible, with a fondant bottle hand-painted with confectioner’s glaze for that realistic sheen, and a custom “Mommy Juice” label printed on a frosting sheet. “Mommy Juice” was a playful term my best friend and I used for wine when our children were young, a little secret code to enjoy our adult beverages in peace. That cake was special and delicious, but the hours I spent meticulously decorating it were countless. It was a labor of love, but a labor nonetheless.

A highly detailed birthday cake shaped like a wine bottle, complete with an edible label, showcasing intricate fondant work.

This elaborate decorating phase extended to my family as well. For years, it became a cherished tradition to create unique character cakes for my husband and children, often making two or three for each child’s birthday—one for the actual day, one for their party, and sometimes even one for daycare. While looking back at creations like the two birthday cakes and cupcakes I made for my daughter’s fourth birthday, I realize now that it was, frankly, insanity! The sheer amount of time and effort was staggering.

But over time, my priorities shifted. Nowadays, I recognize that such elaborate decorating is simply too much work for regular celebrations. My focus has moved from the external spectacle to the internal perfection: the flavor, the texture, and the overall eating experience. When I recently asked my best friend whether she preferred an intricately decorated cake or this elegant Red Wine Chocolate Cake for her birthday, her choice was immediate and unsurprising. She chose the Red Wine Chocolate Cake, and the result, my friends, was nothing short of amazing!

An overhead view of the Red Wine Chocolate Strawberry cake, beautifully presented with a glass of red wine in the background, highlighting its rich ganache.

This cake is a true game-changer for anyone who loves baking but isn’t a professional cake decorator. The beauty lies in its simplicity. You don’t need piping bags, intricate tools, or hours of practice. You simply pour the luscious ganache over the cooled cake, and as it begins to set, you can easily smooth it with an offset spatula. The result is a stunning, glossy finish that looks incredibly sophisticated without any complex techniques. It’s truly a gourmet red wine cake recipe with glaze that anyone can master, leaving you with more time to enjoy the celebration.

Essential Ingredients for Your Red Wine Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Crafting this exquisite chocolate cake with strawberry filling and decadent chocolate ganache requires a selection of quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt
Brown sugar
Unsalted butter
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Unsweetened applesauce
Sour cream
Boiling water
Red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz for depth of flavor)
Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate baking bar
White granulated sugar
Kirsch (cherry brandy)
Heavy whipping cream
Fresh strawberries
Mascarpone cheese
Dark Swiss chocolate (at least 70% cocoa for the rich ganache)
Powdered sugar (also known as icing sugar)

*Refer to the detailed recipe card below for precise quantities and measurements.

A whole, beautifully garnished Red Wine Chocolate Strawberry cake resting on a white platter, with a glass of rich red wine in the background.

Serving Suggestions

This grand Red Wine Chocolate Strawberry Cake is designed to be shared and enjoyed. It generously serves 12 individuals, providing substantial, satisfying slices perfect for any festive gathering or dinner party.

Recommended Equipment

To achieve the best results with this recipe, you will need a stand mixer or a reliable hand mixer for creaming butter and whipping cream. Additionally, a double boiler or a microwave is essential for safely melting the chocolates for both the cake batter and the luscious ganache.

Storing Your Decadent Cake

Due to its rich mascarpone strawberry kirsch filling, this cake is perishable and must be stored in the refrigerator. To prevent it from drying out, which cakes tend to do quickly in the fridge, always keep it in a sealed cake container. Once you’ve cut into the cake, it’s crucial to cover any exposed areas with plastic wrap to maintain its moisture and freshness. Properly stored, this delightful cake can be enjoyed for up to 3 days.

So, why not elevate your next celebration? Whether it’s for a wine lover’s birthday, an anniversary, or just a special weekend gathering, this cake offers a sophisticated yet accessible way to celebrate. Embrace the ease of its preparation and let the rich flavors of red wine, chocolate, and strawberry speak for themselves. Because every milestone, big or small, deserves a cake that’s truly extraordinary, without the need for elaborate decorations.

Red Wine Chocolate Strawberry cake top view with glass of red wine in the background

📋 Red Wine Strawberry Chocolate Cake

This decadent Red Wine Strawberry Chocolate Cake is the ultimate adult birthday cake! A whipped creamy mascarpone strawberry kirsch filling is sandwiched between luscious red wine chocolate cake, all encased in a rich red wine dark chocolate ganache with ganache dipped strawberries on top.

5 from 1 vote

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Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
Italian, North American

Servings:

12
slices

Calories:

1099
kcal

Author:

Terri Gilson

Prep Time:

45
minutes

Cook Time:

40
minutes

Total Time:

1
hour
25
minutes

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Ingredients

Cake:

3 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoon all purpose flour
3 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
3 cups brown sugar
¾ cup butter softened
3 eggs
½ cup applesauce (unsweetened)
4.5 squares (ounces) Bakers semi sweet Chocolate melted ** not chocolate chips!
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cup sour cream
⅓ cup boiling water
¾ cup red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz

Filling:

1 ¼ cups mascarpone cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoon granulated sugar add sweetness to liking
3 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon kirsch
⅔ cup strawberries hulled and finely chopped

Red Wine Chocolate Glaze:

454 grams dark swiss chocolate (at least 70 % cocoa) 16 oz
2 cup butter (unsalted)
1 cup red wine Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon
4 tablespoon powdered sugar a.k.a. icing sugar

Garnish:

6 strawberries whole, hulled

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Red Wine Chocolate Cake:

Sift together flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
Cream butter. Gradually add brown sugar and continue beating for 5 minutes.
Melt chocolate in microwave on ½ power (5 on my microwave) for 60 seconds, then remove and stir. If it needs more time, put back in for 20 second intervals, removing and stirring until just melted.

**Do not get any water/liquid near chocolate or it will seize.

*If you are more comfortable using a double boiler to melt your chocolate you can do that.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add applesauce, then vanilla and melted chocolate.
Alternately blend in flour mixture and sour cream, one third at a time, on low speed of electric mixer.
Add boiling water and red wine; blend well. (Batter will be thin.)

Pour into three greased and floured (I used Wilton Cake Release to prevent sticking) 8 inches layer pans to about ⅔ full.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cake tester inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove and finish cooling on racks.
When cake is cool, slice ‘humps off cakes’ to even out.

Mascarpone Strawberry Whipped Cream Filling:

Beat whipping cream to soft peaks, then add granulated sugar and beat to stiff peaks.
Stir in mascarpone cheese until blended, then add vanilla and kirsch. Fold in strawberries. Set aside in fridge.
When ready, fill cake with mascarpone strawberry whipped cream filling between the first and second cakes, then between the second and third. Top with third cake.

Red Wine Chocolate Glaze/Ganache:

Melt chocolate in microwave on ½ power (5 on my microwave) for 60 seconds, then remove and stir. If it needs more time, put back in for 20 second intervals, removing and stirring until just melted.
Melt butter in microwave until liquid (check at 45 seconds and add more time if needed) Stir melted butter into chocolate.
Meanwhile, bring wine just to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat.
Whisk wine and powdered sugar into chocolate butter mixture. You need to move quickly, as the glaze will begin to set.
Set filled cake on a wire rack set over parchment. Pour glaze over cake and spread it across the top and over the edges and begin to smooth with an offset spatula. Let cake stand at room temperature and smooth again. Then refrigerate until glaze is set (15 – 20 minutes).

Garnish:

Dip each strawberry halfway into remaining glaze/ganache and set on parchment paper to harden. You can put them into the fridge to speed up the process.
Pipe a little whipped cream on the spot where you plan to place strawberries on cake and add 6-8 strawberries. Pipe some whipped cream around the bottom of the cake, if desired (optional).

Notes

👪 Serving

This cake serves 12 (large slices).

🍽 Equipment

You will need a stand or hand mixer and a double boiler or microwave to melt chocolate.

🌡️Storing

You need to store this cake in the fridge, as it has a perishable filling. Cake dries out quite quickly in the fridge, so you’re going to want to keep it in a sealed cake container (affiliate link). And once you cut it, be sure to cover the exposed area with plastic wrap. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

NOTE: I buy a 454 g container of strawberries and that is enough.

Nutrition

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🎂 More Adult Birthday Cake Ideas

Chocolate (Genoise) Italian Sponge Cake with Berries
Lemon Poppy Seed Torte with Raspberry Curd Filling & White Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting
White Chocolate Pistachio Cake with Pistachio Pudding Filling
Root Beer Float Cake

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