Fudge Lover's Strawberry Truffle Cake

Makes 12 servings

Cake
1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist chocolate fudge cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box

Ganache Filling and Topping
2 packages (8 ounces each) semisweet baking chocolate,
    finely chopped
1 1/3 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup butter (do not use margarine)
2 cups cut-up fresh strawberries

Garnish
6 fresh strawberries, cut in half lengthwise through stem
1/4 cup white vanilla baking chips
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 13 x 9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray. Make cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs.

2. Bake as directed on box for 13 x 9-inch pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

3. Meanwhile, in large bowl, place chopped chocolate; set aside. In 2-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream and butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted and mixture comes to a boil. Pour cream mixture over chocolate; stir until smooth.

4. Line bottom of 9-inch springform pan with waxed paper round. Cut cake into 1-inch cubes. In large bowl, beat half of the cake cubes on low speed until cake is crumbly. Add remaining cake cubes and 1 3/4 cups of the ganache (reserve remaining ganache for topping). Beat on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed until well combined (mixture will look like fudge). Fold in 2 cups cut-up strawberries. Spoon mixture into springform pan; smooth top. Cover with plastic wrap; freeze 45 minutes or until firm enough to unmold.

5. Run knife around side of pan to loosen cake mixture. Place serving plate upside down on pan; turn pan and plate over. Frost side and top of cake with reserved ganache. Arrange strawberry halves on top of cake.

6. In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips and 1/2 teaspoon oil uncovered on High 45 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted. Place in small resealable food-storage plastic bag; cut off tiny corner of bag. Drizzle over top of cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Cake is best served the same day.

High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude cake mix directions on box for 13 x 9-inch pan.

Do-Ahead
You can bake the cake ahead. Store the completely cooled and tightly covered cake for up to two months in the freezer.

Nutrition Information: 1 Serving: Calories 630 (Calories from Fat 350); Total Fat 38g (Saturated Fat 18g, Trans Fat 1g); Cholesterol 95mg; Sodium 410mg; Total Carbohydrate 65g (Dietary Fiber 4g, Sugars 47g); Protein 6g

Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 10%; Vitamin C 35%; Calcium 10%; Iron 15%

Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 4 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 6 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 4

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of Betty Crocker 2007/TM General Mills.