Have chocolate in a large bowl. Heat cream to a simmer either on stovetop or microwave. Pour hot cream over chocolate, let sit one minute than stir until smooth. Cool 5 minutes then stir in peppermint extract. Chill, uncovered until very cold. At least 2 hours or longer

In a bowl, whisk flour, cocoa,powder, baking powder and salt.

Separate egg yolks and egg whites, yolks in one large bowl whites in another large bowl. Beat the whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks, slowly add 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and beat until stiff peaks form

Beat egg yolks with remaining 1/2.cup sugar and vanilla until thick and light 2 to 4 minutes. Fold in chocolate/ flour mixture just until combined

Fold 1/4 egg white mixture into yolk mixture, then fold on remaining being careful not to deflate but mixing thoroughly

Spread batter evenly Into prepared pan. Bake 12 to 14 minutes until a toothpick comes out just clean

Cool 2 minutes in pan on wire rack. Meanwhile dust a clean kitchen towel lightly with confectioners sugar. Run a small sharp knife around all edges of cake to release and stuck pieces. Invert cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off parchment and cool completely on wire rack

When cake is cool.cut into 4 even slices as shown below

WHIP CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT FILLING AND ASSEMBLE CAKE, beat cold chocolate peppermint cream just until light and fluffy. Place one of the 4 layers of cake on serving platter and frost with 1/3 of the chocolate peppermint filling

Add a second layer of cake and frost with another 1/3 of the chocolate peppermint filling. Add third layer of cake and frost with remaining frosting. Finally add the forth top layer and make chocolate glaze for this layer

Melt chocolate chips in the microwave just until melted, stir until.smooth an pour over cake top.while warm. Decorate while chocolate is still.warm.with the shaved mint candy and sprinkles so they will stick. Refrigerate to set chocolate topping

Serve with whipped cream and strawberries