Decadent Chocolate Cake with Fresh Cherries

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I still remember the first time I tasted chocolate and cherries in a dessert. It was at a family gathering during the warm days of summer. The rich bitterness of chocolate and the tangy sweetness of cherries was an epiphany! Over the years, I’ve worked to perfect my rendition, and this Chocolate Cherry Cake is the culmination of those efforts.

My recipe for the chocolate cherry cake is a dream come true for chocolate lovers! The rich, velvety chocolate is smooth and creamy, leaving you wanting more. Trust me; just one slice won’t be enough. With fresh cherries, slivered almonds, and dark chocolate, this cake is sweet and tangy and has the perfect mix of ingredients. Not only is this chocolate cherry cake super delicious, but it is also easy to make! You don’t need an electric mixer; everything can be made in one bowl. 

Whether you are baking a cake for a birthday or holiday or want to enjoy a tasty dessert at home, this chocolate cherry cake is the perfect recipe. You can even decorate the cake for special events. 

Maraschino Cherries vs. Fresh Cherries 

While some people like to use maraschino cherries for cakes, fresh cherries have a slight tartness and juicy, irreplaceable texture. They can usually be used interchangeably in recipes, but I love the taste of fresh cherries. Cherries are also in season in the summer, so it is the perfect time for a fresh cherry chocolate cake. Fresh cherries also have the perfect sweetness and a more authentic, natural flavor. 

Tips For the Best Chocolate Cherry Cake 

  • Melt the coconut oil before measuring 4 oz of oil 
  • Pit the cherries using a tool
  • I like the taste of big bites of cherries, so I cut the cherries in half, but you can also cut them into fourths if you want them even smaller. Then, fold them into the batter. 
  • You can sweeten the fresh cherries by cutting them into small bites and cooking them with one tablespoon of sugar. This will help to release some water and sweeten them a little more. If you do that, wait for the cherries to cool before adding them to the batter.  
  • To prevent the cake from sticking to the pan, cut some parchment paper and place it in the bottom of the pan. 

What Size Cake Pan Does This Recipe Make?

This recipe is for a small 9-inch round cake about 1 ½ inches tall. Although it may not sound huge, it can feed about ten people. You can also use this recipe to make a giant cake by doubling the ingredients. 

Can You Mix a Cake Without a Mixer? 

A handheld or stand mixer can be handy for making a cake since it makes the process faster and easier; however, if you don’t have one, no worries! It is not necessary. When making my cake, I like to go old school and whisk everything by hand. If you do not have a hand mixer, ensure you have the correct kitchen tools to make a cake. You will need a large mixing bowl, a whisk, and a wooden spoon. You will also need significant arm strength since you must mix everything so the cake batter becomes homogeneous.

How to Make Decadent Chocolate Cake with Fresh Cherries

Preparation

1.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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2.
Line a 9-inch nonstick round baking pan with parchment paper.
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3.
In a large bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil and sugar. Add eggs and almond extract, whisking continuously for about 3 minutes
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4.
Incorporate the yogurt into the mixture and whisk again.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt.
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5.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Using a spatula, mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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6.
Gently fold in the cherries until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Bake for 25 minutes.

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7.
Once done, remove the cake from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow it to come to room temperature.
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8.
Using a double boiler, bring some water to a boil. Place chocolate chips in the top bowl, stirring until fully melted.

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9.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled cake. You can use a whisk or fork for this step.
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10.
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Cake?
Once the cake has cooled and you have decorated it with chocolate glaze, toasted almonds, and cherries, you can cut yourself a slice of tasty chocolate cake and sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. You can serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and let the creamy taste of ice cream melt into the dense chocolate cake.
Sprinkle the cake with toasted almonds, top with additional cherries, and dust with powdered sugar.
Serve and enjoy the burst of flavors in each bite!
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Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X
Adjust Servings
4 oz melted coconut oil
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup yogurt
1 cup flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon salt
6 oz pitted whole fresh cherries
For the topping:
3 oz dark chocolate chip
oz cocoa nibs
1 oz toasted slivered almond
2 oz fresh pitted cherries
1 teaspoon powdered sugar

Preparation

1
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2
Line a 9-inch nonstick round baking pan with parchment paper.
3
In a large bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil and sugar. Add eggs and almond extract, whisking continuously for about 3 minutes
4
Incorporate the yogurt into the mixture and whisk again. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt.
5
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Using a spatula, mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6
Gently fold in the cherries until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Bake for 25 minutes.
7
Once done, remove the cake from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow it to come to room temperature.
8
Using a double boiler, bring some water to a boil. Place chocolate chips in the top bowl, stirring until fully melted.
9
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled cake. You can use a whisk or fork for this step.
10
How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Cake?
Sprinkle the cake with toasted almonds, top with additional cherries, and dust with powdered sugar. Serve and enjoy the burst of flavors in each bite!

Rana’s Notes!

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Cake Once the cake has cooled and you have decorated it with chocolate glaze, toasted almonds, and cherries, you can cut yourself a slice of tasty chocolate cake and sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. You can serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and let the creamy taste of ice cream melt into the dense chocolate cake.

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

rana

By Rana

Thanks for visiting my Mediterranean food blog and welcome to my virtual kitchen! Here, you’ll find mouth-watering, wholesome, and nutritious Mediterranean recipes that will change the way you view cooking.

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