Dive into the rich and indulgent world of this Sumptuous Chocolate Cherry Cake, a delightful creation that combines deep chocolate flavors with the sweet tang of fresh cherries. This cake is layered with a silky chocolate pudding and topped off with a luxurious whipped cream, making every bite a decadent treat. The blend of dutch process cocoa and espresso in the cake enhances the chocolate's richness, while the fresh cherries add a burst of brightness that balances the flavor beautifully.
Why You'll Love This:
Chocolate and cherry is a classic combination that never fails to please, and this cake takes it to the next level with its moist texture and complex flavors. The addition of sour cream in the cake base ensures a rich and tender crumb, and the chocolate pudding layer adds an extra dimension of creaminess. Topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream, this cake is both a visual and gastronomic delight, perfect for those who appreciate a truly luxurious dessert experience.
Perfect Occasion:
This Chocolate Cherry Cake is perfect for celebratory events such as birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion that calls for an impressive dessert. It's also ideal for holiday gatherings where you want to offer something a little special. Serve this cake at a dinner party or a family gathering, and it's sure to be a conversation starter.
Decoration Tips:
For an elegant presentation, top the cake with a generous amount of whipped cream and scatter over some fresh cherries for a pop of color and freshness. You can also drizzle some melted chocolate over the whipped cream for a stunning visual effect. If available, a sprinkle of chocolate shavings or cherry compote can add both texture and flavor, enhancing the luxurious feel of the dessert.
Ingredients:
- Chocolate Cherry Cake:
- 30 g Dutch process cocoa powder
- 1 tsp instant espresso
- 65 g whole milk
- 75 g vegetable oil
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 1 room temperature egg
- 90 g room temperature sour cream
- 80 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 80 g fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- Chocolate Pudding:
- 1 packet instant chocolate pudding (96g)
- 335 g heavy whipping cream
- 115 g whole milk
- 100 g fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- Whipped Cream:
- 225 g heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- ⅛ tsp salt
- Additional cherries for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix cocoa powder, espresso, and milk until smooth. Add vegetable oil, sugar, egg, and sour cream; mix until well combined.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chopped cherries.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- For the pudding, whisk together pudding mix, cream, and milk until thick. Fold in cherries and spread over the cooled cake.
- Whip the cream with sugar, vanilla bean paste, and salt until stiff peaks form. Spread over the pudding layer.
- Garnish with fresh cherries and serve chilled.
Enjoy this sumptuous dessert that perfectly marries the rich depth of chocolate with the bright zest of fresh cherries, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion!