A Sweet Symphony: Cherry Chocolate Ganache Cake That Melts in Your Mouth

Photo byAngie Bright

The Cherry Chocolate Ganache Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s an experience in every bite. The combination of rich chocolate cake, sweet cherry preserves, and silky chocolate ganache is enough to tempt anyone with a love for indulgent treats. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving something sweet, this cake is sure to impress.

A Classic Combination Elevated

Chocolate and cherries have long been a beloved pairing, offering a balance between deep, rich flavors and bright, fruity sweetness. This recipe takes that classic duo to the next level with the addition of luscious chocolate ganache. The cake is soft, moist, and infused with the slight tang of buttermilk, while the ganache gives it a smooth, glossy finish that elevates the entire presentation.

Perfect for Any Occasion

This Cherry Chocolate Ganache Cake isn’t just for birthdays or holidays. It’s the perfect cake for dinner parties, family gatherings, or when you simply want to treat yourself. The rich flavors are sure to impress, and the fresh cherries and chocolate shavings on top add a touch of elegance that makes it look just as good as it tastes.

Recipe: Cherry Chocolate Ganache Cake

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 and 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water

For the Ganache:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

For the Filling:

• 1 cup cherry preserves

For Garnish:

• Fresh cherries
• Chocolate shavings

Directions:

1. Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat the mixture until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. Gradually pour in the hot water while mixing until the batter is smooth and slightly runny.
3. Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing them and transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
4. Make the Ganache: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer, but don’t let it boil. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Allow the ganache to cool slightly before using it.
5. Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes have fully cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread the cherry preserves evenly over the top of the first layer. Place the second cake layer on top. Pour the chocolate ganache over the entire cake, letting it drip down the sides for a beautiful, glossy finish.
6. Garnish and Serve: Top the cake with fresh cherries and sprinkle chocolate shavings on top. This final touch adds a burst of freshness and a visually appealing contrast to the rich, chocolatey cake.

The Sweet Reward

As you slice into the cake, you’ll notice how the dense, chocolatey layers blend perfectly with the tartness of the cherries and the richness of the ganache. Every bite is a combination of textures—moist cake, silky ganache, and juicy cherries—that will keep your guests coming back for more.

With its elegant appearance and mouthwatering flavor, the Cherry Chocolate Ganache Cake is sure to become a favorite in your home. It’s more than just dessert—it’s a celebration of flavors that will leave you feeling satisfied and delighted.

The Cherry Chocolate Ganache Cake combines rich, moist chocolate layers with a sweet cherry filling and a smooth, decadent ganache topping. This cake is a great choice for special occasions, offering both elegance and irresistible flavor.

For the base, the cake uses simple ingredients like flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and buttermilk to create a soft and moist texture. The addition of cherry preserves between the cake layers introduces a sweet yet slightly tart contrast, while the chocolate ganache brings a silky richness. This combination makes each bite a balance of textures and flavors.

To make the ganache, heavy cream is heated and poured over chopped bittersweet chocolate, which is then stirred until smooth. After spreading the cherry preserves between the cooled cake layers, the ganache is poured over the top, creating a beautiful, glossy finish. Garnishing with fresh cherries and chocolate shavings adds an extra touch of sophistication and freshness.

This recipe offers flexibility for customization. For example, you can add a cherry liqueur for an adult twist, or switch out the cherry preserves for a different fruit filling to suit your tastes​Renee's Kitchen Adventures​Goodtaste with Tanji​BakeSpace.

If you’d like to explore similar recipes or variations, websites like Renee’s Kitchen Adventures and Good Taste with Tanjihave great alternatives, such as using cherry pie filling or brandied cherries for a deeper flavor​Goodtaste with Tanji​Renee's Kitchen Adventures.

Feel free to try out these techniques to elevate your Cherry Chocolate Ganache Cake!