If you’re a fan of Netflix’s Stranger Things and love a good theatrical dessert, this Stranger Things Strawberry Upside Down Cake brings all the “Upside Down” vibes - literally. This dramatic black-cocoa cake flips perfectly to reveal juicy strawberries designed to look like Demogorgons, with black licorice “vines” creeping over the top. It's the ultimate themed bake for viewing parties, Halloween, or any time you want a dessert with a dark twist.
My other recipes are also really delicious! Check out the matcha cheesecake tart as well as my strawberry matcha basque cheesecake.
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What Is Stranger Things?
Stranger Things is a hit Netflix sci-fi horror series set in the 1980s that blends supernatural mystery, small-town adventure, and retro nostalgia. The story follows a group of kids in Hawkins, Indiana, whose lives are upended when strange government experiments, psychic abilities, and interdimensional creatures begin to seep into their world. Central to the show is the Upside Down, a dark, decaying parallel dimension filled with eerie spores, monstrous entities, and creeping vine-like tendrils, imagery that inspired the dark black-cocoa base and licorice “vines” in this cake. With themes of friendship, courage, and the uncanny, Stranger Things has become a cultural touchstone for fans who love its blend of suspense, heart, and 80s-style weirdness - making it the perfect backdrop for a spooky, fun, upside-down dessert.
What Is Black Cocoa?
Black cocoa is a deeply alkalized form of cocoa powder known for its rich, dark color and smooth Oreo-like flavor. It creates a nearly jet-black cake without artificial dyes -- perfect for capturing the ominous look of the Upside Down. It brings mild cocoa flavor, soft texture, and a striking aesthetic contrast to the bright strawberries.
🥣Ingredients
- Strawberries, halved – Juicy, sweet berries that caramelize into a ruby-red topping.
- Lemon juice – Brightens the strawberry flavor and balances sweetness.
- Melted butter – Creates a glossy, rich base for the upside-down fruit layer.
- Sugar (two types) – Sweetens both the topping and the cake batter.
- Cornstarch – Helps thicken the strawberry juices.
- All-purpose flour – The structural base for a tender cake crumb.
- Salt – Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
- Baking soda – Helps the cake rise properly.
- Black cocoa powder – Gives the cake its signature dark, Upside Down color.
- Unsalted butter, softened – Creams with sugar for a light, fluffy cake texture.
- Eggs – Provide richness and bind the batter.
- Buttermilk – Adds moisture and subtle tang, keeping the cake soft.
- White chocolate – Used for decorative demogorgon “teeth.”
- Strawberry slices (extra) – For decorating demogorgon “petals.”
- Black licorice rope – Serves as edible tentacles and vines.
See recipe card for quantities.
📖Instructions
Step 1:
Prepare the pan
Line the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) closed-form cake pan with parchment. If using a springform pan, place a tray beneath in case of drips. Add melted butter, swirling to coat the base and sides. Sift sugar and cornstarch over the butter - do not mix. Toss strawberries in lemon juice, then arrange them over the butter-sugar layer.
Step 2:
Prep the oven and dry ingredients
Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and black cocoa. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time.
Combine wet and dry
Add the dry mixture in 2–3 additions, alternating with buttermilk, ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
Step 3:
Spread the batter over the strawberries.
Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean or with light crumbs and the center no longer wobbles.
Step 4:
Cool and decorate
Allow the cake to cool fully. Flip it upside down and release from the pan. Decorate the surface with strawberry slices arranged like demogorgon petals, white chocolate “teeth,” and black licorice vines for that eerie Upside Down aesthetic.
Hint: Make sure to keep your cake is completely cooled before removing from the pan. Be careful as there might be a lot of juices.
Substitutions and Variations
- Black cocoa → regular cocoa + a spoon of espresso powder (won’t be as dark, but still flavorful). Use black food coloring to supplement.
- Buttermilk → milk + a splash of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Strawberries → raspberries or cherries for a different berry profile.
- Black licorice → chocolate rope candy if you prefer milder flavor.
- Stranger Things Layer Cake: Double the recipe and stack two layers with strawberry compote between them.
- Mini Upside Down Cakes: Bake in jumbo muffin tins for single-serve demogorgon treats.
- Chocolate-Chip Upside Down Cake: Add mini chocolate chips to the black cocoa batter.
- Glowing Neon Icing: Add a thin drizzle of bright red or neon-green glaze for extra 80s sci-fi flair.
Equipment
You do need some equipment for this recipe.
- 8-inch (20 cm) closed-form or springform cake pan
- Electric stand mixer or hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Small piping bag (optional, for white chocolate details)
Storage
Store the cake covered at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate up to 4 days. For best texture, let chilled slices sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving. The decorated toppings hold up well, but add licorice right before serving to prevent softening.
Top Tip
For the most dramatic Upside Down reveal, pack the strawberries tightly in the bottom of the pan. This prevents gaps and ensures a glossy, ruby-red “portal” effect when you flip the cake. If you're using a spring-form pan, make sure to bake it on with something underneath to catch the juices. I had this issue, but a closed form pan would not have this issue.
FAQ
Yes - bake the cake the night before and decorate the next day.
It’s milder and smoother than natural cocoa, with an Oreo-like profile. Its main effect is deep color.
Fresh is best for clean Demogorgon shapes, but frozen can be used if thawed and drained well.
No - the licorice is only decorative and doesn’t flavor the cake unless eaten with the slice.
Stranger Things Strawberry Upside Down Cake
If you’re a fan of Netflix’s Stranger Things and love a good theatrical dessert, this Stranger Things Strawberry Upside Down Cake brings all the “Upside Down” vibes - literally. Black cocoa cake with juicy strawberries.
Ingredients
Berry topping
- 2 cups halved strawberries
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 30g butter, melted
- 60g sugar
- 4g cornstarch
Cake
- 190g all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt salt
- 2g baking soda
- 30g black cocoa powder
- 125g unsalted butter, softened
- 215g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 130 ml buttermilk, room temperature
- Optional for Stranger Things theme: strawberry slices, white chocolate, black licorice rope.
Instructions
- Prepare the bottom of an 8-inch(20cm) closed form cake pan with parchment paper. If using a springform pan, prepare something under to catch the juices. Pour in the melted butter and swirl to cover the bottom and sides. Sift in sugar and cornstarch, do not mix. Toss strawberries in lemon juice. Then arrange strawberries on top of the butter sugar mixture.
- Preheat oven oven to 175°C (350°F). In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and black cocoa powder. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat the softened butter and sugar until pale, light, and fluffy (2–3 minutes). Beat in the 2 eggs one at a time.
- Add the flour mixture in 2–3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk, but ending with flour mixture. Mix gently and stop as soon as it’s combined, do not overmix. Spread batter evenly over the strawberries. Bake 40-50 minutes. It’s done when a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The center should not be wobbly. Let the cake cool completely, turn upside down, and remove from pan.
- Create the Stranger Things Demogorgan with strawberry slices, white chocolate, and black licorice as tentacles.
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