1 1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. white vinegar
1/4 c. baking cocoa
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. cold water
1/2 tsp. salt
chocolate ganache (see recipe below)
strawberry sauce (see recipe below)

Heat oven to 350°F.

Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt in mixer bowl. In a small bowl, mix oil, vinegar and vanilla. Mix oil mixture and water alternately into dry ingredients until well blended.

Pour into greased and floured 9 inch round pan.

Bake 30-35 minutes. Let cool in pan 5 minutes.

Chocolate Ganache:

2/3 cup whipping cream
6 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped

Heat whipping cream in sauce pan on low heat until hot, but not boiling. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted. Let stand about 5 minutes.

Strawberry Sauce:

1 pint fresh strawberries
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in pot on medium/high heat until strawberries soften. Let cool and puree in blender until totally smooth. Chill until cold.

Remove cake from pan and let cool on rack 5 minutes more.

Place wax paper under rack and pour ganache over cake while still on rack.

Just before serving, lightly drizzle strawberry sauce over top of cake and use to garnish plate. Best served still warm. (If desired, place single fanned strawberry on each slice when serving.)

Submitted by: Jessica Underwood