There is something unforgettable about slicing into a tall Chocolate Cake with Cherries. The glossy chocolate ganache slowly drips down the sides, the silky chocolate buttercream holds everything together, and the sweet cherry filling peeks through each layer. It is the kind of dessert that turns an ordinary gathering into a memorable celebration.
Whether you’re baking for a birthday, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or simply because you’re craving a luxurious homemade dessert, this recipe delivers bakery-quality results using simple ingredients. Every bite combines moist chocolate cake, juicy cherries, creamy frosting, and rich dark chocolate for the perfect balance of sweetness and depth.
If you enjoy elegant homemade desserts, you’ll also love our Chocolate Dessert Collection on RecipesMind:
https://recipesmind.com/
JUMP TO
Chocolate Cake with Cherries
This Chocolate Cake with Cherries combines ultra-moist chocolate cake layers, homemade cherry filling, silky chocolate buttercream, and glossy dark chocolate ganache. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or any special celebration.
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes (including cooling & decorating)
- Yield: 12 slices
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (65 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp fine salt
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (room temperature)
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot brewed coffee
Cherry Filling
- 2½ cups fresh sweet cherries, pitted
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Chocolate Buttercream
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache
- 8 oz (225 g) dark chocolate (60–70%)
- ½ cup heavy cream
Decoration
- Fresh cherries
- Chocolate curls
- Chocolate shavings
- Ganache drip
- Gold sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease three 8-inch cake pans.
Line each with parchment paper.
Lightly grease again.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together
- flour
- cocoa
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- sugar
Sifting the cocoa helps remove lumps.
3. Add Wet Ingredients
Add
- eggs
- buttermilk
- oil
- vanilla
Mix until smooth.
Slowly pour in the hot coffee.
The batter will be thin.
That is completely normal.
4. Bake
Divide evenly between the pans.
Bake for
28–30 minutes
The cakes are ready when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Cool inside the pans for 15 minutes.
Transfer to a cooling rack.
Allow to cool completely.
5. Cherry Filling
Combine
- cherries
- sugar
- cornstarch
- lemon juice
Cook over medium heat for 8–10 minutes.
The filling should become thick like jam.
Cool completely before using.
6. Chocolate Buttercream
Beat butter for 4–5 minutes.
Gradually mix in
- powdered sugar
- cocoa powder
Add cream.
Finish with vanilla.
Beat until fluffy.
7. Assemble
Place one cake layer.
Spread buttercream.
Pipe a frosting border.
Fill the center with cherry filling.
Repeat.
Apply a crumb coat.
Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Finish frosting.
8. Ganache
Heat the cream until steaming.
Pour over chopped chocolate.
Wait 2 minutes.
Stir until smooth.
Cool 10 minutes.
Create ganache drips around the cake.
9. Decorate
Top with
- fresh cherries
- chocolate curls
- chocolate shavings
Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
✔ All refrigerated ingredients should be at room temperature.
✔ Do not skip the coffee. It deepens the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.
✔ Use a kitchen scale for evenly sized cake layers.
✔ Chill the cherry filling completely before assembling.
✔ Apply a crumb coat before the final frosting.
✔ The best ganache drip temperature is about 88–92°F (31–33°C).
✔ For clean slices, chill the cake for 30 minutes and wipe the knife between cuts.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cake with Cherries
Unlike many chocolate cakes that can become dry or overly sweet, this version stays incredibly moist thanks to a combination of buttermilk, vegetable oil, and hot coffee.
The cherries add freshness and a slight tang that perfectly balances the richness of the chocolate. Instead of tasting heavy, every slice feels smooth, soft, and full of flavor.
This cake is perfect for:
- Birthday parties
- Christmas desserts
- Valentine’s Day
- Mother’s Day
- Anniversary dinners
- Family celebrations
- Holiday dessert tables
- Weekend baking projects
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chocolate Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot brewed coffee
Cherry Filling
- 2½ cups pitted sweet cherries
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Chocolate Buttercream
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache
- 8 ounces dark chocolate
- ½ cup heavy cream
Decoration
- Fresh cherries
- Chocolate curls
- Chocolate shavings
- Ganache drip
- Gold sprinkles (optional)
Professional Baking Tips Before You Start
Small details often make the difference between an average homemade cake and one that looks like it came from a professional bakery.
Always use room-temperature ingredients. Cold eggs and buttermilk don’t blend as smoothly, which can affect the cake’s texture.
Measure flour using a spoon and level method instead of scooping directly with the measuring cup. Too much flour creates a dry cake.
Sift together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and baking soda. This removes lumps and creates a lighter batter.
Do not skip the hot coffee. It doesn’t make the cake taste like coffee. Instead, it brings out the natural richness of the cocoa and gives the cake a deeper chocolate flavor.
Line each cake pan with parchment paper after greasing it lightly. This helps the cakes release perfectly without sticking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease three 8-inch round cake pans with butter or baking spray.
Place parchment paper circles in the bottom of each pan and lightly grease the paper.
Dust lightly with cocoa powder instead of flour to prevent white marks on the finished cake.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Sugar
Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly combined.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add:
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
Mix on medium speed until fully incorporated.
Finally, slowly pour in the hot coffee while mixing on low speed.
The batter will be thinner than many cake batters. This is completely normal and helps create an incredibly moist crumb.
Step 4: Bake
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
Bake for 28 to 30 minutes.
Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out with only a few moist crumbs.
Avoid opening the oven door during the first 25 minutes, as this may cause the cakes to sink.
Cool the cakes in their pans for 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
Making the Cherry Filling
Combine the cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a saucepan.
Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly.
As the cherries soften, they release their juices and the mixture gradually thickens.
Continue cooking until the filling reaches a jam-like consistency.
Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until completely cold.
Warm filling can melt your buttercream and make the cake unstable.
Making the Chocolate Buttercream
Beat the softened butter for about five minutes until pale and fluffy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar.
Mix in the cocoa powder.
Add the heavy cream one tablespoon at a time.
Finish with vanilla extract.
Continue beating until the buttercream becomes light, smooth, and spreadable.
If the frosting feels too thick, add another tablespoon of cream.
If it’s too soft, chill it for 15 minutes before using.
Assemble the Cake
Place the first cake layer on your serving board.
Spread an even layer of chocolate buttercream.
Pipe a buttercream border around the edge to hold the cherry filling in place.
Fill the center with cooled cherry compote.
Repeat with the second layer.
Place the final cake layer upside down so the top is perfectly flat.
Apply a thin crumb coat and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Finish with a smooth final layer of buttercream.
Make the Chocolate Ganache
Finely chop the dark chocolate.
Heat the heavy cream until steaming but not boiling.
Pour it over the chocolate.
Let it sit for two minutes.
Stir gently until smooth and glossy.
Allow the ganache to cool for about 10 minutes.
It should slowly run from a spoon without being watery.
Too warm and it will slide off the cake.
Too cold and it won’t drip beautifully.
Decorating Like a Bakery
This is what gives the cake its stunning appearance.
Use a spoon or squeeze bottle to create slow ganache drips around the edge.
Pour the remaining ganache over the center.
Smooth gently with an offset spatula.
Finish with:
- Fresh cherries
- Chocolate curls
- Chocolate shavings
- Optional edible gold sprinkles
For an elegant finish, chill the decorated cake for 20 minutes before serving.
How to Get Beautiful Cake Layers
Professional-looking cakes are all about consistency.
Use a digital kitchen scale to divide the batter equally between the pans.
Trim the cake tops with a serrated knife if necessary.
Apply even layers of frosting throughout the cake.
Rotate the cake while frosting for smoother sides.
Using an offset spatula and cake scraper produces the cleanest finish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced bakers occasionally make these mistakes.
Using cold ingredients
Cold butter and eggs create an uneven batter.
Overmixing
Too much mixing develops gluten, making the cake dense.
Adding hot ganache immediately
Allow it to cool slightly before pouring.
Warm cherry filling
Always chill completely before assembling.
Skipping the crumb coat
The crumb coat traps loose crumbs and creates a smooth final finish.
Storage Tips
Store the finished cake in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Remove it about 30 minutes before serving so the buttercream softens.
Cover tightly to prevent the cake from drying out.
Can You Freeze It?
Absolutely.
Freeze unfrosted cake layers individually for up to three months.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil.
Buttercream also freezes well.
The cherry filling can be prepared several days ahead and refrigerated until needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the coffee make the cake taste like coffee?
No. Hot coffee simply deepens the chocolate flavor without adding a noticeable coffee taste.
Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes. Thaw and drain them well before making the filling to avoid excess liquid.
Which chocolate is best for ganache?
Dark chocolate containing 60–70% cocoa creates the richest flavor and smoothest texture.
Can I make the cake one day ahead?
Yes. In fact, the flavors become even better after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
Can I use canned cherry pie filling?
Fresh homemade cherry filling gives the best flavor and texture, but canned filling can be used if you’re short on time.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Cake with Cherries is more than just another chocolate cake. Its soft, moist layers, rich buttercream, glossy ganache, and vibrant cherry filling create a dessert worthy of any special occasion.
By following the extra professional tips—using room-temperature ingredients, measuring accurately, cooling each component completely, and assembling the cake patiently—you can achieve a bakery-style result in your own kitchen.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a holiday dinner, or simply treating your family to something extraordinary, this elegant cake is sure to impress from the very first slice to the last.