Decadent Chocolate Cake with Fresh Cherries

I still remember the first time I tasted the combination of chocolate and cherries in a dessert. It was at a family gathering during the warm days of summer. The rich bitterness of chocolate combined with the tangy sweetness of cherries was an epiphany! Over the years, I’ve worked to perfect my own 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 lots of dark chocolate, this cake is sweet, 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 just want to enjoy a tasty dessert at home, this chocolate cherry cake is the perfect recipe for you. You can even decorate the cake for special events. 

Maraschino Cherries vs. Fresh Cherries 

While some people like to use maraschino cherries for their 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 are also the perfect amount of sweetness and have 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, just wait for the cherries to cool before adding them to the batter.  
• Make sure the cake doesn’t stick to the pan by cutting some parchment paper and placing it in the bottom of the pan. 

What Size Cake Does This Recipe Make?

This recipe is for a small 9-inch round cake that is about 1 ½ inches in height. 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 a significant amount of arm strength since you must mix everything so the cake batter becomes homogeneous.