This is an amazingly decadent strawberry brownie cake with a luscious filling made with sweetened condensed milk and cream.
Everybody loves brownies, at least I don't know anybody who doesn't! But this strawberry brownie cake is more than just a regular brownie; it is a brownie brought to the highest possible level!
This is a moist and rich strawberry torte with a brownie cake base and an amazingly sweet and decadent condensed milk filling! You will just love this cake!
Try these Cherry Chocolate Brownies and Tres Leches Cake, which is also made with condensed milk.
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Recipe ingredients
Cocoa powder: Use good-quality, unsweetened cocoa powder; you will notice if the cocoa is not the best kind.
Oil: You will need neutral-tasting vegetable oil, not olive oil or any other flavorful oil.
Cream: Use heavy/double cream and not sweetened whipped cream, Cool Whip, or similar products. Pure heavy cream, which you will whip yourself, tastes best.
Vanilla pudding: I live in Germany, so I used 1 package of Dr. Oetker Galletta Instant Cremepulver for 500 ml of milk.
In the US, you can use 1 package of instant vanilla pudding (4 oz). Try the American Strawberry Shortcake, too.
Strawberries: Buy good-quality, ripe, and sweet strawberries.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make a brownie cake from scratch?
Most of the brownie cake recipes I see online use brownie mix. You don't need to do that; it only takes 5 minutes more to mix the necessary ingredients for a brownie cake.
Step #1: Whisk oil, vanilla extract, sugar, and eggs until well combined – it takes 2 minutes to weigh and place the ingredients into a bowl and less than another minute to mix them well.
Step #2: Mix flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt, and add slowly to the wet mixture – it takes 2 minutes to weigh the ingredients (probably less if using a kitchen scale) and less than a minute to combine.
Step #3: Pour into the prepared form and bake.
So, about 5 minutes of prep time and 20–25 minutes of baking! I really think it’s worth it!
How to make the filling?
Making the filling for the strawberry torte is super easy as well.
Step #4: Pour the condensed milk into a bowl and add the water. Mix well.
Step #5: If using instant vanilla pudding powder (the one recommended above), beat it in for 1 minute. Chill while you whip the heavy cream.
Step #6: If using a package of instant vanilla pudding, beat it into the condensed milk mixture and chill for 5 minutes.
Step #7: Whip the heavy cream and fold it carefully into the condensed milk–pudding mixture. Chill for about 10-15 minutes or until thickened.
Assemble the brownie strawberry cake
Step #8: Wash and dry the strawberries. Only hull them after you wash them, or they might become watery. Slice them thickly.
Step #9: Slice the brownie base horizontally, using a long, jagged knife, to obtain two slices.
Step #10: Place one slice on a cake platter. Spread half of the filling and some of the sliced strawberries on top. Place the second brownie slice on top, press gently, and top with the rest of the filling. Arrange the remaining strawberries on top.
Step #11: Drizzle with some chocolate glaze, if using any. The chocolate glaze is optional, but good.
Strawberry Brownie Cake
Equipment
- springform 9-inch/ 24 cm
- Bowls
Ingredients
Brownie base:
- ¾ cup neutral-tasting vegetable oil for instance, canola
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour Note 1
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder unsweetened
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- a pinch of salt
Filling:
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 oz/ 400 g
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding Note 2
- ½ cup cold water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lb strawberries
- some chocolate glaze for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/ 180°C. Grease and line the base and the sides of the springform with parchment paper.
- Wet ingredients: Mix oil, vanilla extract, sugar, and eggs and whisk until well combined.¾ cup neutral-tasting vegetable oil + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract + 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar + 3 eggs
- Dry ingredients: Mix the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt, and add slowly to the wet mixture. Combine well and pour the mixture into the prepared pan. ¾ cup all-purpose flour + ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder + ½ teaspoon baking powder + a pinch of salt
- Bake: Level the batter, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only a few crumbs. Leave the brownie base cool completely.
- Filling: Mix the sweetened condensed milk and the cold water in a large bowl.1 can sweetened condensed milk + ½ cup cold water
- Vanilla pudding: If using instant vanilla pudding powder (the one recommended in the notes), beat it for 1 minute. Chill while you whip the heavy cream.1 package instant vanilla pudding + 1 cup heavy creamIf using a package of instant vanilla pudding, beat it into the condensed milk mixture and chill for 5 minutes.
- Whip the heavy cream until stiff and fold into the pudding mixture. Chill the mixture for about 10 minutes to allow it to thicken a bit.
- Strawberries: Wash and dry the strawberries very thoroughly. Slice them thickly.1 lb strawberries
- Assemble: Cut the brownie base horizontally with a long, jagged knife to obtain two slices. Place one piece on a cake platter. Spread half of the filling and some of the sliced strawberries on top. Place the second brownie slice on top, press gently, and top with the rest of the filling. Arrange the remaining strawberries on top. Drizzle with some chocolate glaze if using any.
- Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- Measurements: Always use a digital kitchen scale in baking; it ensures the best results (Amazon affiliate link).
- Instant vanilla pudding: I live in Germany, so I used 1 package of Dr. Oetker Galletta Instant Cremepulver for 500 ml of milk. In the US, you can use 1 package of instant vanilla pudding (4 oz).
Sweet Treats by Dani says
almost too pretty to eat.... but just almost 😉
Susan @ My Wholefood Family says
This looks stunning Adina! I so enjoyed having your blog this month 🙂
Tara says
Such a beautiful torte! That filling with condensed milk sounds incredible!
Anne says
I am drooling over this - it looks delicious!
Sarah E. says
Love that you conquered some improvisations! I always worry that non-US bloggers will have problems finding different ingredients because there are so many US bloggers in the club. But y'all international bloggers never cease to amaze me. Y'all are so quick on your feet and your recipes always look amazing! 😉
Stephanie says
This Brownie Torte looks divine! Wonderful SRC post.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
This is a stunner! I Brownie, sweet creamy pudding filling and juicy sweet berries...just irresistible.
Adina says
Thank you, Angie!
🙂
Sissi says
What a gorgeous summer cake! And such a beautiful presentation. I find the filling particularly interesting: it sounds creamy but fresh and not too fatty (not like old-fashioned butter creams...).
Adina says
I'm with you concerning butter cream, not really my thing, a little bit it's ok, but I could never eat it in this quantity.
Rebekah @ Making Miracles says
That is just GORGEOUS!! Perfect treat for summer berries.
Adina says
Thank you, Rebekah, I can imagine this being also good with raspberries or blueberries or a mixture of many different berries...
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
This looks like a delicious recipe! Those strawberries on top adds such a pretty touch. I'm a brownie fan so this would be a recipe I'm sure to love as well. Sounds like the Secret Recipe Club has some great recipes! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Adina says
Thank you, Dawn. You should check the other recipes too, I think this month there were several brownies on the list.
kirstin troyer says
Yay! Glad you chose it and glad you all liked it, it's one of our favorites. I haven't made it in awhile. I chuckled because you were saying you had to change some ingredients, etc....I had a blog from an aussie gal and struggled with a few recipes/ingredients/measurements, because of conversions or not knowing or having access to certain things. Glad you were able to improvise and it looks so good I might try your version 🙂 I made a dessert yesterday that called for instant pudding but in trying to avoid processed stuff as much as possible, made my own. It turned out good. I'll be trying your version of this recipe this summer.
Adina says
Thank you for the recipe, Kirstin, we loved it!!! I hope I was close enough when choosing the ingredients... 🙂
Amy (Savory Moments) says
This looks awesome! So pretty and very tasty. Nice SRC pick!
Adina says
Thank you, Amy.
Anca says
It's the first time I hear about the Secret Recipe Club and it sounds interesting. I will apply these days, after I'll change a few things to my blog.
The cake looks beautiful and it must be delicious too. xx
Adina says
I hope you will join, Anca. I think you would like it, I love discovering a new blog every month, the best part for me is searching for a recipe. 🙂
Rafeeda@The Big Sweet Tooth says
Oh goodness! This is so beautiful... I don't blame your boy for stretching his hands for a third piece... the brownie, the creamy layer and the strawberry just seemed to have married into each other quite well... Lovely selection for this month's task... We all look for easy recipes so appreciate you trying your hands on one with a bit of work... 🙂
Adina says
Thank you for the nice words, Rafeeda. But I would say this cake looks more complicated than it actually is, everything went quite fast and was really no-fuss.
Rosa says
This looks and sounds delicious!!
Adina says
Thank you, Rosa. 🙂