6.1.12

My Favorite Cake


I really love cake. So when I say this cake is my favorite, you know it's some serious business.
I don't think there's anything more romantic or heavenly than chocolate and cherries. Maybe chocolate and strawberries, but it's a close tie. This cake is moist, rich but not too rich, and will blow your mind at the first bite. Make this for that special someone and if they're not already in love with you, they sure will be now.


Chocolate & Cherries Cake with Rich Chocolate Frosting (adapted from Cookie and Kate)

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup strong coffee, cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp chocolate extract (or more vanilla)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 bag frozen cherries (thawed), or about 2 cups fresh and pitted

1. Make your cup of coffee and stick it in the fridge to cool down. Preheat the oven to 375ยบ and line the bottom of an 8" or 9" round pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and sugar.
3. In a measuring cup, mix the oil, cooled coffee, and vanilla & chocolate extracts. Pour this into the dry and stir until combined. 
4. Add in the vinegar and you will see little bubbles appear in the batter. Mix until the vinegar seems to be evenly distributed.
5. Pour the cake batter into your prepared pan. Sprinkle the cherries evenly over the batter and press them towards the bottom of the pan with your finger. Bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before you frost it.


Frosting:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp soy milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, or if you don't have a microwave like me, in a double broiler until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the soy milk and vanilla. Spread frosting evenly over the cake and top with a sprinkling of powdered sugar. 




Just one bite...


Yum.


Put down whatever you're doing and go make this cake. Now.

On a completely non-cake related note... I'm going to California tomorrow for my College Winter Term project! I will be working at a natural history museum taking photos and setting up galleries for them. I'm staying with some friends who also love to bake and are excited to try some vegan baking with me. I can't wait to post recipes from the land of sun, surf and sand!

9 comments:

  1. This cake sounds scrumptious! What a combination of flavors. I love that bite shot too!

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  2. your cake looks perfectly moist and chocolatey! when i was little, my favorite chocolate cake and brownies ALWAYS had powdered sugar on top.

    ps- the bite shot is adorable!!

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  3. Oh my, this looks awesome! Especially with cherries. I really love(and am totally impressed :D) that it's made with all whole wheat. It looks great! I'm going to bookmark this to try some time :)

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  4. Thanks everyone!
    Caitlin- Same here, powdered sugar just makes everything so much prettier.
    Heidi- I was amazed at how great it turned out with all whole wheat flour too! Let me know if you give it a try.

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  5. I LOVE this cake. The deep dark cherries burst with rich juiciness in every bite of chocolate cake-iness-- love the photos! I think this could be my favorite cake too!

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  6. So glad to hear that you love my cherry chocolate cake recipe!

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  7. Yes it's amazing! Thanks for posting it :)

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  8. This looks SO good. Do you think frozen strawberries would work instead? I ask only because that's what's in my freezer at the moment! lol :)

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    1. Oh definitely! That would be delicious. Let me know how it turns out if you try!

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