Rich Cherry Chocolate Recipe

Indulge in a Heavenly Cherry Chocolate Recipe Today

Sweet chocolate and luscious cherries dance together in this decadent cherry chocolate delight recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Layers of rich flavors meld perfectly in every single bite.

chocolate lovers will adore this delectable dessert that balances intense cocoa with bright cherry notes.

The combination creates a symphony of taste that feels both elegant and comforting.

Each spoonful delivers a luxurious experience that melts smoothly on your tongue.

Stunning yet simple, this dessert transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable celebration of flavor.

Dive into this irresistible treat that will become your new favorite sweet sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients That Make Decadent Cherry Chocolate Shine

For Cake Base:
  • Chocolate Cake Mix: Creates the rich, decadent foundation of the dessert, choose a high-quality mix with deep chocolate flavor for best results.
  • Boxed Chocolate Cake: Provides convenience and consistent texture, select a brand known for moist and flavorful cakes.
For Creamy Elements:
  • Heavy Cream: Whips into luxurious, cloud-like texture that adds elegance and smoothness to the dessert.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream, ensuring a silky, consistent peak.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic essence.
  • Vanilla Pudding: Brings creamy, smooth layer that complements chocolate and cherries perfectly.
For Fruity Accent:
  • Canned Cherries: Delivers sweet-tart burst of flavor, choose pitted cherries in light syrup for best taste.
  • Fresh Cherries: Provides vibrant, juicy texture and natural sweetness when in season.
  • Cherry Juice/Syrup: Adds moisture and intensifies cherry flavor throughout the dessert.
For Decorative Finishing:
  • Dark Chocolate: Creates elegant shavings that add visual appeal and intense chocolate notes.

Tools You’ll Use for This Chocolate-Cherry Combo

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for whipping cream and combining ingredients smoothly.
  • Trifle dish: Deep glass dish perfect for creating beautiful layered dessert presentation.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Crucial for beating cream to stiff peaks quickly and efficiently.
  • Cutting board: Needed for slicing cake into precise 1-inch cubes.
  • Sharp knife: Helps create clean, even cake cubes for uniform layering.
  • Small bowl: Used for marinating cherries and keeping juices separate.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements for consistent results.

How to Layer and Chill a Cherry Chocolate Dessert

Cherry Chocolate Heaven

  • Cake Foundation

Craft a moist chocolate cake using your favorite recipe or boxed mix. Cool completely before transforming into delectable cubes.

  • Cream Cloud

Whip heavy cream into billowy peaks, blending softly with powdered sugar and a whisper of vanilla. Let the creamy mixture rest, anticipating its delicious destiny.

  • Cherry Magic

Select plump cherries, either fresh or canned. Gently bathe them in their own sweet syrup, releasing their vibrant flavor and juicy essence.

  • Trifle Architecture

Begin building your dessert masterpiece in a clear glass dish. Layer chocolate cake cubes as your foundation, then cascade creamy clouds and glistening cherries in elegant waves. Repeat these delightful layers, creating a mesmerizing edible landscape.

  • Chocolate Crescendo

Crown your creation with delicate chocolate shavings, letting dark chocolate curls dance across the creamy summit. Scatter a few cherries like precious jewels for the final dramatic touch.

  • Chill and Shine

Refrigerate your luxurious dessert for at least two hours, allowing flavors to mingle and textures to harmonize into a sublime culinary experience.

Helpful Notes for Texture and Balance

  • Cherry Chocolate Magic Tricks: Elevate Your Dessert Game
  • Cake Cube Perfection: Use slightly stale cake for better absorption of cherry juice and more intense flavor. Fresh cake works too, but day-old cake holds its shape better during layering.
  • Cream Whipping Wisdom: Chill your mixing bowl and whisk beforehand for fluffier, more stable whipped cream that holds its shape longer in the trifle.
  • Cherry Boost Option: Splash a touch of kirsch or cherry liqueur into the cherry marinade for an adult twist that deepens the fruit's rich flavor profile.
  • Texture Play: Experiment with adding toasted almond slivers or chocolate cookie crumbs between layers for unexpected crunch and complexity.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: This dessert actually tastes better after chilling overnight, letting flavors meld and develop a more harmonious taste experience.

Plating Ideas for Cherry Chocolates

  • Sweet Romantic Date Night: Serve this decadent cherry chocolate delight as the ultimate dessert during an intimate dinner, creating a magical moment with your special someone.
  • Dinner Party Showstopper: Wow your guests by presenting this stunning trifle as a centerpiece dessert that looks professionally crafted and tastes absolutely incredible.
  • Weekend Family Treat: Create a delightful weekend dessert that brings everyone together, offering generous spoonfuls of chocolatey cherry goodness that will make kids and adults smile with pure joy.
  • Summer Picnic Perfection: Pack individual servings in mason jars for a portable, elegant dessert that travels beautifully and keeps everyone cool and satisfied during outdoor gatherings.

Saving Extras for the Next Sweet Craving

  • Delightful Storage Solutions: Keep your Cherry Chocolate Delight looking and tasting amazing!
  • Chilled Perfection: Refrigerate the trifle immediately after assembling, covering loosely with plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert up to 24 hours in advance for enhanced flavor melding, allowing ingredients to blend beautifully and develop a richer taste profile.
  • Smart Serving Strategy: Store in a sealed container in the coldest part of your refrigerator, keeping the dessert away from strong-smelling foods to maintain its delicate cherry and chocolate essence.
  • Leftover Love: Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste and texture, using a clean spoon each time to prevent bacterial growth and maintain the trifle's pristine appearance.
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Rich Cherry Chocolate Recipe

Rich Cherry Chocolate Recipe


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4.8 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Sumptuous cherry chocolate delight merges rich Belgian chocolate with ripe summer cherries in a luxurious dessert. Silky ganache and fresh cherry compote create an irresistible flavor profile you’ll savor to the last delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cherries (canned or fresh, pitted, with juice or syrup reserved)
  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (or homemade chocolate cake)
  • 2 cups vanilla pudding (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (for whipping)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup cherry juice (from the canned cherries or fresh)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup dark chocolate shavings (or grated chocolate)
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cake Preparation: Bake chocolate cake using preferred method until perfectly moist and golden, allowing complete cooling before further handling.
  2. Cake Transformation: Slice cooled cake into precise one-inch cubes, creating uniform geometric pieces for layered construction.
  3. Cream Compilation: Whip heavy cream vigorously with powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until achieving luxurious peaks that hold their structured form.
  4. Cherry Preparation: Drain canned cherries or pit fresh cherries, then gently macerate in their natural juice to intensify flavor complexity.
  5. Trifle Foundation: Layer chocolate cake cubes as the initial base in a transparent serving vessel, pressing gently to create a compact foundation.
  6. Layering Technique: Systematically build dessert by spreading vanilla pudding over cake cubes, scattering cherries, and draping with pillowy whipped cream.
  7. Vertical Construction: Continue layering ingredients, progressively building height and intricate flavor dimensions until dish reaches near capacity.
  8. Artistic Finishing: Crown the trifle with remaining whipped cream, delicately garnish with dark chocolate shavings and strategically placed whole cherries for sophisticated visual appeal.

Notes

  • Perfect Cake Texture: Ensure cake is completely cooled to prevent whipped cream from melting and maintain structural integrity of the trifle layers.
  • Cherry Selection Strategy: Choose sweet, plump cherries without bruising; drain thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making cake soggy.
  • Whipping Cream Precision: Chill mixing bowl and whisk beforehand for faster, more stable whipped cream with consistently stiff peaks.
  • Chocolate Enhancement Tip: Use high-quality dark chocolate for shavings to add depth and sophisticated flavor contrast to the sweet dessert.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

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