Description
This indulgent chocolate cake is a perfect combination of rich cocoa flavor, moist crumb, and the tart sweetness of cherries. Topped with a smooth, velvety chocolate ganache and garnished with maraschino cherries, it’s a showstopper for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk (substitute: 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice, left to sit for 5 minutes)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (neutral oil like canola works best)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup hot water (enhances the cocoa flavor)
- For the Ganache:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (use high-quality chocolate for the best ganache)
- For the Garnish:
- 1 cup cherry pie filling (store-bought or homemade)
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until combined.
- Gradually add the hot water, stirring until smooth. The batter will be thin.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, make the ganache. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
- Pour the hot cream over the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of cherry pie filling over the cake.
- Top with the second cake layer and pour the chocolate ganache over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries on top of the cake and around the edges.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For a more intense cherry flavor, add a few tablespoons of cherry juice to the ganache or mix some into the batter.
- You can use fresh cherries instead of cherry pie filling if desired. Just be sure to pit and chop them before use.
- This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American