Chocolate cake with cherries and walnuts

Chocolate, Cherry, and Walnut Cake: A Delight for Anniversaries

Are you looking for a cake recipe that is not only delicious but also full of emotions and memories? I invite you to discover this chocolate, cherry, and walnut cake recipe, which I prepared with great love for my husband's anniversary. This cake brings together ingredients he loves, offering a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity, enriched with a deep chocolate flavor. Let’s embark on this culinary journey!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Servings: 12

Necessary Ingredients

*For the Cocoa Base:*
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons fructose (or sugar, to taste)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon cocoa

*For the Raisin Base:*
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons fructose
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 handful of raisins

*For the Chocolate Cream:*
- 200 ml whipping cream
- 200 g chocolate (recommended Milka for a creamier taste)

*For the Mascarpone Creams:*
- 750 g mascarpone
- 6 tablespoons fructose
- Vanilla sugar (to taste)
- 300 g cherries (frozen or fresh)
- 3 g gelatin
- 5 g agar-agar
- 1 handful of caramelized walnuts (optional)

*For Decoration:*
- 150 ml whipping cream
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- Walnuts (for decoration)
- Crushed chocolate (for decoration)

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preparing the Cocoa Base:
- Start by preheating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. This is the first essential step to achieve a well-baked base.
- Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gradually add the fructose, continuing to mix until you achieve a glossy foam.
- Gently fold in the yolks using a spatula.
- Sift the flour and cocoa over the mixture and gently mix, being careful not to deflate the batter.
- Pour the mixture into a round baking pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes. Check with a toothpick to see if it’s done – it should come out clean.

2. Preparing the Raisin Base:
- Repeat the same steps as above, this time for the raisin base. Beat the egg whites, add the fructose, then the yolks.
- Fold in the flour and raisins, mixing gently.
- Bake in the same pan for about 20 minutes. Ensure the base is baked using the same checking method.

3. Chocolate Cream:
- In a bowl, add chopped chocolate and whipping cream. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, stirring to ensure even melting.
- Let cool for about 2 hours in the fridge until thickened. Once cooled, whip the cream with a mixer until it becomes airy and fluffy.

4. Mascarpone Creams:
- In a small pot, dissolve the agar-agar in 100 ml of water and boil for a few seconds. This will help thicken the cream.
- In a large bowl, mix half of the mascarpone with the cooled agar-agar. Add the rest of the mascarpone, vanilla sugar, and fructose. Beat until it becomes a smooth cream.
- Divide the cream in two, mixing one half with the caramelized walnuts and leaving the other plain.

5. Preparing the Cherries:
- Boil the cherries with 2 tablespoons of fructose for 3 minutes. Once off the heat, add the gelatin (prepared according to package instructions) and let cool.

6. Assembling the Cake:
- Cut each base into two equal discs. Start with a cocoa base disc and add a layer of cherry jelly, followed by the plain mascarpone cream.
- Place a raisin base disc, then the chocolate cream, followed by another raisin base disc, the cream with caramelized walnuts, and finally, the second cocoa base disc.
- Finish by covering the cake with whipped cream mixed with vanilla sugar, decorating with walnuts and crushed chocolate.

Practical Tips:
- For an even more intense flavor, you can add a splash of rum essence to the chocolate cream.
- If you prefer a sweeter cake, you can replace fructose with regular sugar in all mixtures.
- Make sure the bases are completely cooled before assembling, so the cream doesn’t melt.
- The cake can be kept in the fridge, but it is recommended to consume it within 3 days to maintain freshness.

Vegan Option:
If you want to turn this recipe into a vegan option, you can use chia or flax eggs instead of eggs, coconut cream instead of whipping cream, and vegan dark chocolate.

Nutritional Benefits:
This cake provides protein from eggs and mascarpone, while cherries add antioxidants and essential vitamins. Walnuts are an excellent source of healthy fats, providing an energy boost.

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use other fruits instead of cherries?
Yes, you can experiment with strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries to diversify the flavors.

2. How can I keep the cake fresh longer?
It’s best to keep it covered in the fridge. You can also freeze the bases separately before assembly.

3. What drinks pair best with this cake?
A sweet wine or a fruit tea would perfectly complement the rich flavors of the cake.

This chocolate, cherry, and walnut cake is not just a dessert, but also an unforgettable experience, full of love and creativity. Don’t hesitate to try it and adapt it to your personal tastes! Enjoy!