Chocolate-Strawberry Celebration Cake

This is a bit late, but I had trouble downloading pictures. For Valentine's Day this year, I made a scrumptious chocolate cake! For your next BIG occasion, try making this cake.....It's impressive!

(Thanks to cousin. Andrea Murray, for ever sending me this recipe!)




Ingredients:
1 pkg chocolate cake mix
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) instant choc. pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil
4 oz. semisweet chocolate, melted

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

GARNISHES:
2 oz. semisweet chocolate, melted
1 lb. fresh strawberries, hulled

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

Directions:
Combine the first 7 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 degrees for 28-32 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Beat in butter, confectioners’ sugar and cocoa until blended; add milk 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 over sides. Top with chocolate garnishes.