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Homemade Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake photo

Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake

This Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake is a luscious, easy dessert combining rich cocoa with fresh cherries for a moist, stunning treat.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • 9-inch Round Cake Pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or hand whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula
  • Cooling rack
  • Cherry pitter or small knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup fresh cherries pitted
  • 1 cup sugar divided
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cup milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter the 9-inch cake pan generously to prevent sticking. Evenly sprinkle 1/2 cup of sugar in the bottom of the pan, then layer the pitted fresh cherries on top.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the creamed mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined—avoid overmixing.
  • Pour the chocolate batter evenly over the cherries and sugar in the pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a cooling rack for about 10-15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen the cake, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate so the cherries and caramelized sugar are on top.

Notes

  • Ensure cherries are fully pitted to avoid unpleasant bites.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and fluffy.
  • Butter the pan well to prevent sticking and ensure a smooth inversion.
  • Let the cake cool slightly before flipping to keep the topping intact.
  • Use thawed and drained frozen cherries if fresh ones are unavailable to maintain texture.
Keyword Baking, Cherry, Chocolate, Easy, Fruit, Quick, Upside Down Cake