Decadent Chocolate Cake with Fresh Cherries

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.