Description
A rich and dramatic dessert with moist chocolate cake layers, vibrant cherry filling, and silky chocolate ganache. Perfect for celebrations or as a make-ahead showstopper.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons (8 g) baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (6 g) baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot coffee or hot water
- 3 cups (450 g) cherries, pitted (fresh, frozen, or jarred)
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons (24 g) cornstarch
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) cherry juice or water
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
- 2 cups (300 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped semi-sweet chocolate
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) butter
- Chocolate chips or chocolate shavings (for decoration)
- Fresh cherries (for decoration)
Instructions
- Make the cherry filling: In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, cherry juice (or water), and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and glossy. Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Bake the cake layers: Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F. Grease and line two 20 cm (8-inch) cake pans. In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla, and beat until smooth. Gradually add hot coffee or water. Divide batter between pans and bake for 35–40 minutes. Cool completely and slice each cake in half to make 4 layers.
- Prepare the ganache: Heat heavy cream until hot (not boiling). Pour over chocolate and let sit for 1 minute. Add butter and stir until smooth. Let rest 10–15 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Assemble the cake: Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread with cooled cherry filling. Repeat with remaining layers, finishing with the fourth cake layer on top.
- Finish and decorate: Pour ganache over the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Optionally, use remaining ganache to lightly coat the sides. Decorate with chocolate shavings and fresh cherries.
Notes
- Ensure cherry filling is completely cooled before assembling to avoid sliding layers.
- Use dark chocolate in ganache for a richer flavor.
- Bake cake layers ahead and refrigerate for easy stacking.
- Chill the cake before slicing for clean cuts.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days; flavor improves over time.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
