Description
This luxurious cake is moist, fudgy, and loaded with the bold flavors of dark chocolate and cherries. A silky ganache cascades over the top, finished with luscious glazed cherries. It’s an absolute showstopper for any special occasion — or any day you want to spoil yourself.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (70 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ¾ cup (180 ml) vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- ½ cup (120 ml) hot coffee or boiling water
- 1 can (21 oz / 595 g) cherry pie filling (or use 2 cups pitted fresh cherries simmered in ¼ cup sugar + 1 tsp lemon juice for 10 minutes)
- 1 cup (170 g) dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter (optional, for shine)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) pan or two 8-inch (20 cm) rounds.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in buttermilk.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Pour in hot coffee and stir gently until smooth. (The batter will be thin — that’s perfect!)
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely before assembling.
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the cooled cake. If using fresh cherries, make sure the mixture has cooled before adding.
- Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until steaming (don’t boil). Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit 1 minute. Stir until smooth, glossy, and fully melted. Mix in butter if desired for a silkier finish.
- Pour the ganache over the cherry layer, spreading gently so it drips beautifully down the sides. Add a few extra whole cherries on top for garnish. Chill for 30 minutes to set slightly before serving.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality dark chocolate for the ganache.
- This cake can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg