Are you craving a dessert that's both elegant and incredibly satisfying? Look no further! This Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake is the perfect recipe for satisfying your sweet tooth. It's a moist, chocolatey masterpiece studded with the rich sweetness of cherries, creating a flavor combination that's simply irresistible. This easy recipe is perfect for both beginner bakers and experienced cooks looking for a delicious addition to their repertoire of homemade cooking. Whether you're searching for quick dinner ideas or a special occasion dessert, this cake is sure to impress.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Cherry Filling:
- 1 (15 ounce) can cherry pie filling
Instructions:
Getting Started:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. This ensures your cake layers will release easily.
Making the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Thoroughly combining the dry ingredients prevents lumps in your batter.
- Add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
- Gradually pour in the boiling water while mixing on low speed. The batter will be thin – that's perfectly normal!
Baking the Cake Layers:
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Overbaking can result in a dry cake, so keep an eye on it.
Assembling the Cake:
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cakes from breaking.
- While the cakes cool, prepare the chocolate ganache. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
- Remove from heat and pour over the chocolate chips. Let it sit for a few minutes, then whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer with a generous amount of cherry pie filling.
- Top with the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the chocolate ganache.
Tips for Success:
- Use good quality cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor.
- Don't overmix the batter, as this can lead to a tough cake.
- Let the cakes cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- For an extra special touch, garnish the cake with chocolate shavings or fresh cherries.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts would be a delicious addition to the batter.
- Use different cherries: Try substituting fresh cherries for the pie filling for a more intense cherry flavor.
- Make it a layer cake: Use three cake layers for a taller, more impressive cake.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 450
- Fat: Approximately 25g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 15g
- Sugar: Approximately 60g
- Protein: Approximately 5g
This Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its rich chocolate flavor combined with the sweet tartness of cherries creates a truly unforgettable dessert experience. It's the perfect homemade treat for any occasion, from casual weeknight gatherings to special celebrations. Enjoy!