Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake
This Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake combines the rich flavor of chocolate with the sweet juiciness of cherries, creating a decadent and easy-to-make dessert. Perfect for any occasion, this cake offers a moist, flavorful base with a stunning cherry topping. Whether using fresh or frozen cherries, this treat is a year-round favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cherry Layer:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
For the Chocolate Cake Batter:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup soured milk (add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to ½ cup milk)
- ½ cup brewed black coffee
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Prepare the Cherry Layer
- Mix the sugar and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Toss the pitted cherries in this mixture until well-coated. If using frozen cherries, allow them to thaw for about 20 minutes.
- Grease and flour a 9-inch round pan (at least 2 inches deep) or an 8×8 square baking dish. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Evenly spread the cherry mixture over the bottom of the prepared pan.
-
Prepare the Chocolate Cake Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the eggs, soured milk, brewed coffee, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to beat the mixture for 2 minutes until smooth.
- Carefully pour the batter over the cherries in the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
-
Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
-
Cool and Serve
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Place a heatproof serving plate over the pan and carefully invert the cake onto the plate.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- Nutty Addition: Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the cherry layer for extra crunch.
- Berry Blend: Combine cherries with other berries like raspberries or blueberries for a mixed berry upside-down cake.
- Healthier Twist: Substitute half of the flour with whole wheat flour and reduce sugar slightly for a healthier version.
