Cherry, walnut, and mascarpone cake

Cherry and chocolate cake is a delicacy that combines the intense flavors of chocolate with the pleasant acidity of cherries, creating a dessert that not only delights the taste buds but also the eyes. We start by thoroughly washing the cherries, then carefully removing the pits to ensure that each piece of cake will be a pure pleasure. After cleaning them, we place them in a sieve to drain the excess juice, thus avoiding the cake becoming too wet.

In a large bowl, we add the milk, diced butter, and dark chocolate. We transfer these ingredients to low heat, stirring continuously to ensure that the butter and chocolate melt evenly without boiling the mixture. It is essential to pay attention to this step, as too high a temperature can affect the texture of the chocolate. Once we have a homogeneous mixture, we let it cool slightly.

Meanwhile, in another bowl, we beat the egg yolks with the sugar until we obtain a fluffy and light-colored foam. We carefully add the cooled chocolate mixture, gently mixing to combine the ingredients. We extinguish the baking soda with lemon juice and add it to the mixture, followed by the vanilla essence and baking powder. We sift the flour, then gradually incorporate it, using the mixer on low speed to avoid forming lumps.

We beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they become a firm foam, then we carefully fold them into the chocolate mixture using a spatula and slow movements to maintain the aeration of the dough. For baking, we grease a 22/26 cm pan with butter and line it with parchment paper. We carefully pour the mixture into the pan, leveling it evenly. It is recommended to use a slightly larger pan than indicated, as the cake will rise considerably in the oven.

On top of the batter, we add the drained cherries and a few pieces of walnut to add a textural contrast. We place the pan in the preheated oven at an appropriate temperature and bake the cake for 30-35 minutes. We do the toothpick test: if it comes out clean, the cake is ready. We let it cool.

For the cream, in a bowl, we combine the mascarpone, sour cream, and powdered sugar, mixing until we obtain a fluffy and airy texture. Finally, we flavor the cream with vanilla essence, adding a touch of elegance. After the cake has completely cooled, we cut it into pieces, spread each slice with cream, and let it chill for 1-2 hours. Before serving, we sprinkle a little instant coffee on top for added flavor. Enjoy this delicious dessert and let yourself be carried away by its flavors!