Valentine’s Day Cake

INGREDIENTS

For the cake::

Butter, for greasing

1 3/4 cups

all-purpose flour, plus more for pans

2 cups

sugar

3/4 cup

good cocoa powder

2 tsp

baking soda

1 tsp

baking powder

1 tsp

kosher salt

1 cup

buttermilk, shaken

1/2 cup

vegetable oil

extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp

pure vanilla extract

1 cup

freshly brewed hot coffee

For the strawberry buttercream::

6 cups

powdered sugar, sifted

16 oz

or 2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2/3 cup

seedless strawberry preserves

1/2 tsp

fine salt

2 tsp

pure vanilla extract

Red gel food coloring, if desired

[url]Chocolate Covered Strawberries∞../chocolate-covered-strawberries/[/url], for garnish