Chocolate and cherry cake

Chocolate and Cherry Cake - A Decadent Treat for Adults

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 35-40 minutes
Cooling time: a few hours (the idea is to prepare it the night before)
Number of servings: 12

In every culinary culture, desserts hold a special place, and the chocolate and cherry cake stands out with its amazing combination of intense flavors and fine textures. This rather sophisticated cake, intended exclusively for adults, blends rich chocolate with the juicy taste of cherries, creating a memorable culinary experience. I invite you to discover this delight step by step, providing you with some useful tips along the way.

Ingredients

For the base:
- 6 eggs
- 6 tablespoons cherry juice
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 3 tablespoons good quality cocoa
- 1 tablespoon ground coffee
- 3 tablespoons cherry liqueur (or cognac)
- ½ packet baking powder

For Cream 1 (ganache):
- 400 ml liquid cream
- 100 g dark chocolate
- 200 g milk chocolate
- 300 g fresh cherries (or from a jar)

For Cream 2:
- 150 ml liquid cream
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 7-8 chocolate truffles (or chocolate candies)

For soaking:
- 150 ml cherry liqueur (or more, to taste)
- 200 ml cherry syrup

For decoration:
- 150 g milk chocolate
- 200 g cherries
- 1 packet gelatin for cake

Preparing the cake

1. Ganache cream - The first step is to prepare the ganache cream, as it needs to sit in the fridge for a few hours to set properly. Break the dark and milk chocolate into small cubes and place them in a heatproof bowl. Heat the liquid cream in a saucepan over low heat, being careful not to boil it, then pour it over the chocolate. Stir well until the chocolate is completely melted and a homogeneous mixture forms. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. For optimal results, it is recommended to prepare this cream a day in advance.

2. Preparing the base - In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar using a mixer on high speed for about 25 minutes, until the mixture doubles in volume and becomes frothy. Add the cherry juice and mix gently.

3. Mixing the dry ingredients - Sift the flour, baking powder, and cocoa into another bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the egg mixture, gently folding with a spatula from top to bottom to avoid losing air. Add the ground coffee and cherry liqueur, mixing again.

4. Baking - Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a cake pan with butter and dust it with flour. Pour the mixture into the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the base to cool completely in the pan before removing it.

5. Cream 2 - In a bowl, whip the liquid cream with the vanilla sugar until firm. Add the chocolate truffles cut into thirds and gently mix.

6. Assembling the cake - Once the base has cooled, cut it into 3 equal parts. Soak each layer with a mixture of cherry liqueur and cherry syrup. Assemble the cake as follows: first layer of base, ganache cream with cherries, second layer of base, cream with truffles, third layer of base, and again ganache cream with cherries. Cover with the last layer of base.

7. Decorating - Melt the milk chocolate and pour it into a uniform container, then use it to cover the edges of the cake, helping with a baking paper cut to the height of the cake. Leave in the fridge until set.

8. Finalizing - After the chocolate has set, remove the baking paper. Decorate the cake with cherries and pour the gelatin prepared according to the package instructions.

Serving suggestions
This decadent cake pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream or warm chocolate sauce. A cup of aromatic coffee or a glass of red wine will further enhance the intense flavors of the cake.

Practical tips
- Use high-quality chocolate for the ganache, as it will significantly influence the final taste of the cake.
- If you prefer a more intense cherry flavor, you can add some dried cherries between the layers of the cake.
- You can replace the cherry liqueur with another type of fruit liqueur, such as orange liqueur, to experiment with flavors.

Nutritional information
A serving of chocolate and cherry cake contains approximately 350-400 kcal, being rich in carbohydrates from sugar and flour, proteins from eggs, and fats from chocolate and cream. This dessert also provides antioxidants from cherries, which are known for their health benefits.

Frequently asked questions
- Can I use canned cherries? Yes, canned cherries are a good alternative, but make sure to drain them well to avoid adding excess moisture.
- What can I do if the ganache cream doesn't set? Make sure you have left the cream in the fridge long enough. If it is too soft, you can whip it with a mixer until it becomes firmer.
- Can the cake be frozen? Yes, this cake freezes well. Cut it into slices and wrap each slice in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.

Experiment with this delicious chocolate and cherry cake recipe and enjoy a dessert that is sure to impress anyone who tastes it. Enjoy!