Chocolate Strawberry Celebration Cake

A special thanks to Maaret from OK Maybe Just A Sliver for this amazing recipe!

CAKE:
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix
1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted

FROSTING:
2 sticks butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1/4-1/2 cup 2% milk

GARNISHES:
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled

GANACHE:
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:Combine the first seven ingredients; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Transfer to two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Beat the butter, confectioner's sugar and cocoa until blended; add milk until desired consistency and beat until smooth. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Pipe or spoon melted chocolate onto waxed paper in decorative designs; let stand until set. Arrange strawberries on top of cake. For ganache, place chocolate in a small bowl. Heat cream just to a boil; pour over chocolate and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over top of cake, allowing ganache to drape down the sides. Top with chocolate garnishes. Yield: 12 servings.

Next time I make this (and YES...there WILL be a next time.) I think I will try baking in 3 nine inch cake pans. It seemed pretty full for 2.
Note: I decreased the butter in the frosting from 2 cups to 1 and it tasted just fine!

This is theeeee most amazing cake. I even dare say the best chocolate cake I've EVER had.

Moist Cinnamon Breakfast Cake*

This recipe comes from my friend Angeline {which is a great cook BTW)! I've loved EVERY recipes I've ever tried of hers! You can check out her cooking blog HERE.

1/2 C. shortening
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. cinnamon applesauce
8 oz. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 C. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Grease a 9*13 pan. Preheat oven to 350*. Cream together shortening, sugar, applesauce, sour cream and vanilla. Add in flour, baking powder, soda and salt...blend til moist. With a spatula spread half the batter into the pan. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle half the cinnamon mixture onto batter. Layer with remaining batter and top with cinnamon mixture. Bake for 30-35 minutes or til knife comes out clean.

My Kids and I really enjoyed this cake. It is a perfect morning breakfast. It was gone within a matter of minutes.
My kids thought it would taste yummy with cooked apples. {We'll have to try that next}.