Description
Indulgent chocolate cherry cake blends rich cocoa with sweet cherries for a delightful dessert. Layers of moist chocolate and tart cherry compote create a memorable experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base Ingredients:
- 1.75 cups (420 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water
Filling and Optional Ingredients:
- 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
- 1 cup (170 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and prepare two 9-inch round baking pans with grease and flour coating.
- Combine dry ingredients including flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute evenly.
- Incorporate wet ingredients – eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract – into the dry mixture, blending on medium speed for approximately 2 minutes until smooth and consistent.
- Gently fold in boiling water, stirring until the batter becomes completely integrated; note that the consistency will appear thin and liquid.
- Distribute the batter equally between the prepared baking pans, ensuring even coverage.
- Position pans in preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake’s center – it should emerge clean without batter residue.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks to reach room temperature.
- Apply cherry pie filling across the surface of the first cake layer, then carefully position the second layer on top.
- Optional: Melt chocolate chips and create an elegant drizzle pattern over the cake’s surface just before serving to enhance visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Swap regular milk with almond or oat milk to make the cake dairy-free and lighter in texture.
- Add a splash of kirsch or cherry liqueur to the cherry pie filling for an adult version with deeper flavor complexity.
- Use gluten-free flour blend as a direct substitute to accommodate wheat-sensitive guests, ensuring the cake remains moist and tender.
- Reduce sugar by 25% and use dark cocoa powder for a more intense, less sweet chocolate experience that highlights the rich cherry notes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 343 kcal
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 255 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg