Decadent Cherry Devil’s Food Cake: A Recipe for Chocolate Lovers
Are you ready to embark on a baking adventure that culminates in a rich, moist, and utterly irresistible dessert? Look no further! This Cherry Devil’s Food Cake recipe combines the deep, dark allure of devil’s food cake with the sweet, tart burst of cherries, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a well-deserved treat, this cake is guaranteed to be a showstopper.
This recipe is designed to be approachable for bakers of all skill levels, with clear instructions and helpful tips along the way. We’ll break down each step, from preparing the cake batter to crafting the luscious cherry frosting, ensuring that you achieve a perfect result every time. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let’s get baking!
Why This Cherry Devil’s Food Cake is Special
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s explore what makes this cake so exceptional:
* **Intense Chocolate Flavor:** Devil’s food cake is renowned for its deep, rich chocolate flavor, achieved through the use of cocoa powder and often a touch of coffee or hot water to enhance the chocolate notes. This recipe stays true to the classic, delivering an unparalleled chocolate experience.
* **Moist and Tender Crumb:** The use of buttermilk and oil in the batter ensures a moist and tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth. No dry cake here!
* **Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart:** The sweet cherries provide a delightful counterpoint to the rich chocolate, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that prevents the cake from being overly rich or cloying.
* **Stunning Visual Appeal:** The combination of the deep red cherries and the dark chocolate cake creates a visually stunning dessert that is sure to impress.
* **Versatile and Adaptable:** This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your preferences. You can use fresh, frozen, or jarred cherries, and you can adjust the amount of cherry flavoring to your liking.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a comprehensive list of the ingredients you’ll need to create this masterpiece. Make sure to have everything on hand before you start baking!
**For the Devil’s Food Cake:**
* 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
* 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
* ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
* 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
* ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
* 2 large eggs, at room temperature
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 cup (240ml) hot coffee or hot water
**For the Cherry Filling:**
* 2 cups (about 1 pound) fresh or frozen cherries, pitted (if using fresh)
* ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* ¼ cup water
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
**For the Cherry Buttercream Frosting:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
* ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream or milk
* 1 teaspoon cherry extract (or to taste)
* Pinch of salt
* Optional: Red food coloring (gel is recommended)
Equipment You’ll Need
* Two 9-inch round cake pans
* Parchment paper
* Mixing bowls
* Electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer)
* Rubber spatula
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Saucepan
* Whisk
* Offset spatula or frosting knife
* Optional: Cake decorating turntable
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now, let’s get down to the baking! Follow these detailed instructions carefully to ensure a successful outcome.
**Step 1: Prepare the Cake Pans**
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Alternatively, you can grease the pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds. This will make it easier to remove the cakes after baking.
**Step 2: Make the Devil’s Food Cake Batter**
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.
3. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough cake.
4. Slowly pour in the hot coffee or hot water while mixing on low speed. The batter will be thin, but don’t worry, this is normal for devil’s food cake.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
**Step 3: Bake the Cakes**
1. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
2. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
**Step 4: Make the Cherry Filling**
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and water.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the cherries are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Stir in the lemon juice.
4. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
**Step 5: Make the Cherry Buttercream Frosting**
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined. If the mixture seems too dry, add a tablespoon of heavy cream or milk at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
3. Add the cherry extract and salt. Beat until smooth and creamy.
4. If desired, add a few drops of red food coloring (gel is recommended) to achieve a vibrant pink color.
**Step 6: Assemble the Cake**
1. Once the cakes are completely cool, level them with a serrated knife if necessary. This will ensure that the cake layers stack evenly.
2. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.
3. Spread a layer of cherry filling evenly over the cake layer.
4. Top with the second cake layer.
5. Frost the entire cake with the cherry buttercream frosting.
6. Decorate as desired. You can pipe swirls, rosettes, or other designs using a piping bag and tip. You can also garnish with fresh cherries or chocolate shavings.
Tips for Success
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Room temperature ingredients blend together more easily, resulting in a smoother batter and a more evenly baked cake.
* **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
* **Use High-Quality Cocoa Powder:** The quality of the cocoa powder will greatly impact the flavor of the cake. Use a Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a richer, smoother flavor.
* **Let the Cakes Cool Completely:** Frosting a warm cake can cause the frosting to melt and slide off. Make sure the cakes are completely cool before frosting.
* **Adjust the Cherry Flavor to Your Liking:** You can adjust the amount of cherry extract in the frosting to your liking. Start with a small amount and add more until you achieve the desired flavor.
* **Chill the Cake Before Serving:** Chilling the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving will allow the frosting to set and the flavors to meld together.
Variations and Substitutions
* **Chocolate Chips:** Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the cake batter for an extra chocolatey treat.
* **Nuts:** Add ½ cup of chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) to the cake batter or sprinkle them on top of the frosting.
* **Different Extracts:** Experiment with different extracts, such as almond extract or raspberry extract, in the frosting.
* **Liqueur:** Add a tablespoon of cherry liqueur or Kirsch to the cherry filling for an extra layer of flavor.
* **Chocolate Ganache:** Instead of buttercream frosting, you can frost the cake with a rich chocolate ganache.
* **Cupcakes:** This recipe can also be used to make cupcakes. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Serving Suggestions
* Serve chilled or at room temperature.
* Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
* Dust with cocoa powder or powdered sugar.
* Garnish with fresh cherries or chocolate shavings.
* Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
Storage Instructions
* Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* You can also freeze the cake for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Nutrition Information (approximate, per serving)
* Calories: 450-550
* Fat: 25-35g
* Saturated Fat: 15-20g
* Cholesterol: 75-100mg
* Sodium: 200-300mg
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g
* Sugar: 40-50g
* Protein: 3-5g
*Note: Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*
Conclusion
This Cherry Devil’s Food Cake is a truly decadent and unforgettable dessert. The combination of the rich chocolate cake, the sweet and tart cherry filling, and the creamy cherry buttercream frosting is simply irresistible. With its stunning visual appeal and its delightful flavor, this cake is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. So, don’t hesitate to give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Happy Baking!