Embark on a delightful culinary journey with this sumptuous layered cake, meticulously crafted to combine tender sponge, tart cherries, creamy custard, and a decadent chocolate ganache. This dessert is baked to perfection in a large rectangular dish, ensuring each layer melds beautifully with the next, offering a taste and texture that are both rich and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This:
This cake strikes the perfect balance between the sweetness of the sponge and the slight tartness of the cherries, complemented by the smooth custard and the luxurious richness of chocolate ganache. It’s not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, making it a showstopper at any event.
Perfect Occasion:
Ideal for any festive occasion—from birthdays and anniversaries to holiday gatherings and potlucks—this layered cake is sure to impress your guests and become a memorable part of your celebrations.
Decoration Tips:
Enhance the elegance of this cake by garnishing with shavings or curls of white chocolate spread artfully across the ganache. A few fresh cherries placed on top can add a splash of color and hint at the delicious flavors hidden within.
Ingredients:
- For the Cake:
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups flour
- 1 packet vanilla
- 2 packets baking powder
- Canned cherries
- For the Cocoa Layer:
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons milk
- For the Custard:
- 4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 80 grams butter
- For the Ganache:
- 200 grams cream
- 180 grams dark chocolate
Method:
- Cake Preparation:
- Beat eggs and sugar with a mixer for 5-6 minutes. Add milk, oil, and vanilla, and mix briefly. Incorporate flour and baking powder with one final mix. Pour three-fourths of the batter into a greased rectangular baking dish. Mix cocoa powder and milk into the remaining batter and drizzle over the base. Scatter cherries on top.
- Bake at 356°F (180°C) for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Custard:
- In a pot, combine milk, sugar, flour, and cornstarch. Stir continuously until it thickens. Cover with foil immediately after removing from heat to prevent a skin from forming. Once cool, whisk in butter for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
- Ganache:
- Heat cream to just before boiling, remove from heat, add chopped dark chocolate, and stir until melted and smooth. Let cool.
- Assembly:
- Spread the custard evenly over the cooled cake. Pour the ganache over the custard.
- Refrigerate the cake for 5-6 hours or overnight to set.
- Final Touches:
- Garnish with white chocolate pieces before serving.
Enjoy this luxurious and delightful cake, perfect for making your special occasions even more extraordinary.
