Chocolate cherry cake is a delightful dessert that combines the rich, velvety texture of chocolate with the burst of sweet, tart cherries. Imagine sinking your teeth into a slice where the chocolate melts in your mouth while juicy cherries dance on your palate, creating a party for your taste buds.
This cake brings back memories of family gatherings where laughter and good food were in abundance. It’s perfect for special occasions or just a cozy evening at home when you need a treat. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable flavor experience that will make you crave more!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This chocolate cherry cake recipe is easy to prepare, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers
- The flavor profile is a heavenly mix of rich chocolate and sweet cherries, guaranteed to impress your guests
- Visually, the deep brown cake with vibrant red cherry specks creates an eye-catching centerpiece for any table
- Enjoy this versatile cake as a dessert or a special breakfast treat alongside coffee
Friends couldn’t stop raving about this cake after I brought it to our last potluck—definitely one for the recipe book!
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
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All-Purpose Flour: Use high-quality flour for the best structure; sift it before measuring to avoid clumps.
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Cocoa Powder: Opt for unsweetened cocoa powder to get that deep chocolate flavor without extra sugar.
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Baking Powder: This helps the cake rise beautifully; make sure it’s fresh for optimal results.
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Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness, but you can experiment with brown sugar for a richer flavor.
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Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature so it blends into the batter smoothly.
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Eggs: Large eggs provide moisture and richness; they should be at room temperature for better mixing.
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Milk: Whole milk gives moisture and tenderness; feel free to substitute with almond or oat milk.
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Fresh Cherries: Pitted cherries are essential; use ripe ones for maximum sweetness and juiciness.
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Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances the flavors; avoid imitation varieties if possible.
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Powdered Sugar (for frosting): This will create a smooth frosting; sift before using to avoid lumps.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Preheat and Prepare Your Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two round cake pans with butter and dust them lightly with flour.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sugar until fully combined. The aroma will be heavenly!
Cream Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually add sugar. Blend until light and fluffy—this takes about 3-5 minutes.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract until well incorporated. You’ll notice how much richer the batter looks!
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold in the dry ingredients into the butter mixture alternating with milk until smooth. Be careful not to overmix—it’s all about those tender crumbs!
Add Cherries and Bake!: Gently fold in pitted cherries until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Divide equally between prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Enjoy every step of this process! The kitchen will smell amazing as you wait patiently (or impatiently) for that delicious chocolate cherry cake to bake!
Now that we’ve baked our cake perfectly, let it cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them onto wire racks to cool completely. Once cooled, frost as desired or simply dust with powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
There you have it—a chocolate cherry cake that’s as delightful as it sounds! Whether it’s for birthdays or just because you want something sweet, this recipe guarantees smiles all around!
You Must Know
- This chocolate cherry cake recipe is a delightful treat that marries rich chocolate with the tartness of cherries
- The combination not only pleases the palate but also fills your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma that lingers long after the cake is gone
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preheating your oven and preparing your baking pan. Mix wet ingredients first, then fold in dry ingredients for a smooth batter. This order prevents lumps and ensures even mixing.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap fresh cherries for frozen ones or add nuts for extra crunch. A hint of almond extract can elevate the flavor profile and make it uniquely yours.
Storing & Reheating
Store the chocolate cherry cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate it, but remember to bring it back to room temperature before serving.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Using high-quality cocoa powder makes a noticeable difference in flavor; don’t skimp on this ingredient
- Adding a touch of salt enhances the sweetness and balances flavors beautifully
- Always let the cake cool completely before frosting to avoid melty disasters!
Baking this chocolate cherry cake reminds me of my sister’s birthday bash last year. Her friends devoured it within minutes, and I felt like a rockstar chef, basking in their compliments.
FAQ
Can I use frozen cherries for this chocolate cherry cake?
Absolutely! Just thaw and drain excess liquid before adding them to the batter.
How should I store my leftover chocolate cherry cake?
Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for longer freshness.
What’s the best way to frost my chocolate cherry cake?
Wait until the cake is completely cool, then use cream cheese or chocolate ganache for a delicious finish.
Chocolate Cherry Cake
Chocolate Cherry Cake is a luscious dessert that harmonizes the rich flavors of chocolate with the sweetness of ripe cherries. This delightful cake offers a melt-in-your-mouth experience, making it perfect for any occasion—be it a family gathering or an intimate evening at home. With its vibrant cherry specks against the deep chocolate backdrop, this cake is not only delicious but visually stunning. Prepare to impress your guests and indulge your taste buds with every slice!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar for richness)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk)
- 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two round cake pans with butter, lightly dusting with flour.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sugar.
- In another bowl, cream softened butter until fluffy; gradually add sugar and beat until light and airy (about 3-5 minutes).
- Incorporate eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract until well blended.
- Gradually fold in dry ingredients into the butter mixture alternating with milk until smooth.
- Gently fold in pitted cherries and divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
