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Chocolate Cherry Cake Recipe

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Tired of dry, flavorless chocolate cakes? This chocolate cherry cake recipe transforms simple ingredients into a moist, rich dessert that rivals any bakery creation. After perfecting countless variations, including testing against the famous Pioneer Woman chocolate cherry cake recipe, we've created the best chocolate cherry cake recipe that delivers consistent, impressive results.

A rich and moist chocolate cherry cake made from scratch with deep chocolate flavor, real cherries, and luscious frosting. Perfect for special occasions or a treat for family dinners.
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A slice of homemade chocolate cherry cake with rich chocolate layers, creamy frosting, and a topping of fresh cherries and cherry sauce, dripping onto a white plate.
A slice of homemade chocolate cherry cake with rich chocolate layers, creamy frosting, and a topping of fresh cherries and cherry sauce, dripping onto a white plate.

A Classic Made Better

Unlike basic chocolate cakes, this cherry chocolate cake recipe from scratch combines deep chocolate flavor with two forms of cherries - both in the batter and between layers. Whether you're seeking a simple chocolate cherry cake recipe for family dinner or planning to wow guests with a Black Forest inspired creation, this versatile recipe delivers bakery-worthy results.

Why This Recipe Becomes a Family Favorite

Our chocolate cherry cake recipe stands out for its perfect blend of rich chocolate and real cherry flavor. The moist texture and make-ahead convenience make it ideal for both special occasions and casual desserts. Whether dressed up with ganache or simply dusted with cocoa, this cherry chocolate cake recipe delivers consistent, impressive results that keep families coming back for more.

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Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Cake

For the Cake:

  • Quality cocoa powder
  • All-purpose flour
  • Fresh or frozen cherries
  • Unsalted butter
  • Large eggs
  • Buttermilk
  • Coffee
  • Vanilla extract

For the Cherry Filling:

  • Fresh cherries
  • Cherry preserves
  • Kirsch (optional)
  • Sugar
  • Cornstarch

For the Frosting:

  • Dark chocolate
  • Heavy cream
  • Cream cheese
  • Butter
  • Powdered sugar
Ingredients for chocolate cherry cake on a white kitchen counter with handwritten labels.

Why These Ingredients Matter:

Quality cocoa creates deep chocolate flavor, while buttermilk ensures moisture. Fresh cherries provide authentic taste, but frozen work well in this chocolate cherry cake recipe. Coffee enhances chocolate depth without adding coffee flavor.

Pro Tip: For the best chocolate cherry cake recipe results, use natural cocoa powder rather than Dutch-processed.

See recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Chocolate Cherry Cake

Core Steps:

  1. Prep Work:
    • Pit and chop cherries
    • Combine dry ingredients
    • Preheat oven to 350°F
  2. Mixing:
    • Cream butter and sugar
    • Add eggs one at a time
    • Alternate dry and wet
    • Fold in cherries
  3. Baking and Assembly:
    • Pour into prepared pans
    • Bake 25-30 minutes
    • Cool before filling
    • Layer with cherries
    • Frost and decorate
Chopped cherries on a cutting board with a cherry pitter and knife on a white kitchen counter.
"Creaming butter and sugar in a mixing bowl with a stand mixer.
Chocolate cherry cake layers cooling on racks with a spatula, cherry juice, and a pastry brush nearby.

Pro Tip: For the best chocolate cherry cake recipe results, don't overmix after adding flour - this ensures tenderness.

Chocolate Cherry Cake Recipe Substitutions

Core Swaps:

  • All-purpose flour → Cake flour
  • Buttermilk → Milk + vinegar
  • Fresh cherries → Frozen/canned
  • Coffee → Hot water
  • Butter → Oil

Dietary Options:

  • Regular flour → Gluten-free blend
  • Dairy → Plant-based alternatives
  • Eggs → Flax eggs
  • Sugar → Monk fruit/stevia

Frosting Alternatives:

  • Butter → Plant-based butter
  • Cream cheese → Vegan cream cheese
  • Heavy cream → Coconut cream
  • Dark chocolate → Dairy-free chocolate

Tasty Chocolate Cherry Cake Recipe Variations

Classic Takes:

  • Black Forest Style: • Kirsch-soaked cherries • Whipped cream layers • Dark chocolate curls
  • German Traditional: • Cherry brandy • Rich ganache • Fresh cherries

Layer Options:

  • Triple Layer
  • Sheet Cake
  • Cupcakes
  • Bundt Version

Flavor Twists:

  • White Chocolate Cherry
  • Cherry Almond
  • Chocolate Cherry Truffle
  • Spiced Cherry

Special Occasions:

  • Wedding Tier
  • Birthday Style
  • Holiday Version
  • Anniversary Special

For any variation of this chocolate cherry cake recipe, maintain proper cherry-to-batter ratio for best texture.

Equipment for Cherry Chocolate Cake

Essential Tools:

  • 9-inch cake pans (2-3)
  • Stand or hand mixer
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Measuring tools
  • Cooling racks
  • Offset spatula
  • Cake board
  • Serrated knife

Pro Tools:

  • Digital scale
  • Cake strips
  • Turntable
  • Leveler
  • Pastry brush
  • Piping bags/tips
  • Cherry pitter

Note: For the best chocolate cherry cake recipe results, use light-colored aluminum pans for even baking.

Storage Needs:

  • Freezer bags
  • Cake keeper
  • Plastic wrap
  • Airtight containers

Cherry Chocolate Cake Storage

Fresh Storage:

  • Room temp: 1-2 days
  • Refrigerated: 5-7 days
  • Keep in cake keeper
  • Away from strong odors

Freezing Options:

  1. Unfrosted:
    • Wrap layers well
    • Double wrap in foil
    • Freeze up to 3 months
    • Thaw in fridge
  2. Frosted:
    • Freeze until solid
    • Wrap carefully
    • Use within 1 month
    • Thaw overnight

Top Tip

Here's what transforms a good chocolate cherry cake into an extraordinary one: Start with room temperature ingredients, then add ¼ cup cherry juice to your buttermilk and let it sit for 5 minutes before mixing. While baking, place a shallow pan of hot water on the bottom rack - this creates the perfect environment for a moist, tender cherry chocolate cake recipe every time.

This moisture-control method ensures your cake stays fresh longer and develops even deeper flavor overnight. For the richest chocolate cherry taste, brush each layer with a mixture of cherry juice and coffee before frosting.

Ready to Share Some Chocolate Cherry Magic?

Now you're equipped to create a chocolate cherry cake that rivals any bakery version. This recipe proves that homemade always tastes better, especially with our moisture-control method and cherry-juice trick.

If you’re in the mood for more sweet and irresistible cakes, why not explore a few of our favorite dessert recipes? From the rich and velvety Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe to the indulgent layers of our Mounds Cake Recipe, there’s something to delight every palate. For those seeking a unique and refreshing twist, the Vegan Matcha Cake Recipe offers a perfect balance of flavor and creativity. These recipes are not just treats—they’re a chance to create moments of joy and bring a little sweetness to your day.

Share your cake creation here or on social media and Tag @HannahAndMaxCook and #CherryChocolateHeaven - we love seeing your baking adventures.

Rate this recipe and join our baking family! And save the recipe for later.

Need answers about chocolate cherry cake? Check our FAQ section below.

FAQs

What does adding sour cream to a box cake mix do?

While our chocolate cherry cake recipe is from scratch, sour cream adds moisture and richness to any cake. It creates a denser, more velvety texture while keeping the crumb tender. The tanginess also enhances chocolate flavor.

Why is it called Robert Redford cake?

This classic cherry chocolate cake recipe is different from Robert Redford cake, which is actually a layered dessert with chocolate, cream cheese, and pudding layers. Our recipe focuses on real cherry and chocolate flavors.

How do you keep cherries from sinking in cherry cake?

For this chocolate cherry cake recipe, we prevent sinking by:
Coating cherries in flour before adding
Using room temperature batter
Chopping cherries into smaller pieces
Adding them gradually while pouring batter

What is the main ingredient that makes a cake moist?

Several ingredients ensure moisture in this cherry chocolate cake recipe:
Buttermilk provides tenderness
Oil or butter adds richness
Cherry juice adds natural moisture
Proper sugar ratio helps retain moisture The key is balancing these ingredients while not overmixing.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with:

A slice of homemade chocolate cherry cake with rich chocolate layers, creamy frosting, and a topping of fresh cherries and cherry sauce, dripping onto a white plate.

Easy Chocolate cherry cake Recipe

A rich and moist chocolate cherry cake made from scratch with deep chocolate flavor, real cherries, and luscious frosting. Perfect for special occasions or a treat for family dinners.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, European
Keyword: best chocolate cherry cake recipe, chocolate cherry cake, moist chocolate cherry cake
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 430kcal
Cost: 15$

Equipment

  • 2-3 9-inch cake pans (Use light-colored aluminum pans for even baking.)
  • 1 Stand or hand mixer (To cream butter and sugar.)
  • 1 Mixing bowls (For dry and wet ingredients.)
  • 1 Offset spatula (For spreading frosting.)
  • 1 Pastry brush (To apply cherry juice on layers.)
  • 1 Cherry pitter (For preparing fresh cherries.)
  • 1 Serrated knife (To level cake layers if needed.)

Ingredients

  • ¾ cups All-purpose flour - Can be swapped with cake flour.
  • ½ cup Cocoa powder - Use natural not Dutch-processed.
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon Baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ cup Butter - Unsalted softened.
  • 1 ½ cups Sugar - Granulated.
  • 2 Large Eggs - room temperature.
  • 1 cup Buttermilk - Add ¼ cup cherry juice to buttermilk.
  • ½ cup Coffee - Hot enhances chocolate flavor.
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1 cup Cherries - Fresh chopped.

For the Cherry Filling:

  • 1 cup Cherries - Fresh or frozen.
  • ½ cup Cherry preserves
  • 1 tablespoon Kirsch - Optional for Black Forest style.
  • 2 tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch

For the Frosting:

  • 8 oz Dark chocolate - Melted.
  • ½ cup Heavy cream
  • 4 oz Cream cheese - Softened.
  • ½ cup Butter - Unsalted softened.
  • 1 ½ cups Powdered sugar

Instructions 

Prep Work

  • Preheat oven, grease pans, pit and chop cherries, mix dry

Mixing

  • Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, alternate dry ingredients and wet, fold in cherries.

Baking

  • Divide batter into pans, bake 25-30 mins at 350°F, cool completely.

Cherry Filling

  • Cook cherries, preserves, sugar, and cornstarch until thickened.

Assembly

  • Layer with filling, frost, and decorate with cherries.

Nutrition

Serving: 120g | Calories: 430kcal (22%) | Carbohydrates: 55g (18%) | Protein: 6g (12%) | Fat: 22g (34%) | Saturated Fat: 12g (75%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 65mg (22%) | Sodium: 180mg (8%) | Potassium: 220mg (6%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 35g (39%) | Vitamin A: 580IU (12%) | Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) | Calcium: 40mg (4%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)

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