Description
This Easy Chocolate Cherry Cake combines rich cocoa flavor with a sweet cherry jam filling and a luscious cream cheese frosting. Moist, indulgent, and beautifully balanced with fruity brightness, it’s perfect for birthdays, gatherings, or as a special treat.
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 teaspoons 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 tablespoons cooled cherry jam (from above)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon cornstarch or milk powder (for stability)
- ½ lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk oil and sugar until combined. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips if using.
- Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
- Meanwhile, prepare the cherry jam: In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 10–12 minutes until thickened. Let cool.
- Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, lemon juice, and 2–3 tablespoons cherry jam. Mix until fluffy.
- Assemble the cake: Spread a layer of cherry jam between cake layers. Frost with cream cheese frosting, adding extra cherry jam swirls if desired.
- Chill for 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is cold for a stable frosting.
- You can prepare the cherry jam a day ahead and refrigerate.
- Stabilize frosting with cornstarch or milk powder if serving in warm weather.
- Decorate with extra cherries or chocolate shavings for a festive look.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: chocolate cherry cake, cherry jam cake, cream cheese frosting cake, moist chocolate cake