Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

This is real easy and everybody seemed to like it. From the kitchen of Chris Court, Saint Louis MO.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 1 cake

Ingredients

• 2  pints strawberries, cut in half
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2 (9 inch)  chocolate cake layers (any box mix baked according to package directions)
• 8  ounces Cool Whip, thawed
•  chocolate-dipped strawberry (optional)

• CHOCOLATE GLAZE

• 3  squares  baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate
• 3  tablespoons water
• 1  tablespoon margarine or 1  tablespoon butter
• 1  cup powdered sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Mix strawberries, sugar and vanilla. Spoon 1/2 of the strawberries on 1 cake layer. Drizzle with 1/2 the chocolate glaze; top with 1/2 the whipped topping. Repeat layers. Garnish with chocolate-dipped strawberries, if desired. Refrigerate.
2. To prepare chocolate glaze, microwave chocolate, water and margarine in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 to 2 minutes until chocolate is almost melted, stirring once. Remove from microwave and stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar and vanilla until smooth. For thinner glaze, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon additional water.
3. NOTE: Recipe time does not include baking the chocolate cake mix.