Description
Indulge in the decadence of this Easy Chocolate Cherry Cake, a luscious dessert featuring layers of moist chocolate cake, tangy cherry jam, and creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any celebration or sweet craving!
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients (Cake)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients (Cake)
- ½ cup neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk, room temperature
Add-Ins (Optional)
- ½ cup chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
- Cherry Jam
1 ½ cups pitted cherries (fresh or frozen) - ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 2 cups full-fat cream cheese, cold (about 16 oz)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 to 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 2–3 tablespoon cooled cherry jam from above
- Optional: 1 tablespoon cornstarch or milk powder for stability
- ½ lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Cake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk oil and sugar until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix gently until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips if using.
- Divide batter between pans and bake for 30–35 minutes. Cool cakes on a wire rack.
- Cherry Jam
In a saucepan, simmer cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Thicken with cornstarch if desired. Let cool.
- Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat butter until fluffy. Add cream cheese and combine. Mix in vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar until fluffy. Fold in cherry jam.
- Assemble the Cake
Level cake layers if needed. Spread frosting and jam between layers. Frost the cake and decorate as desired.
Notes
- For a more intense cherry flavor, add a layer of cherry jam between the cake layers.
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter are at the correct temperatures for optimal frosting texture.
- Allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: chocolate cherry cake, cream cheese frosting, easy dessert recipe
