Description
This Cherry Garcia Chocolate Cherry Cake Delight is a luscious, layered dessert combining moist French vanilla cake studded with Maraschino cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips, layered and frosted with rich cherry and vanilla buttercream. Perfect for cherry and chocolate lovers, this cake features a beautiful presentation with piping, chocolate shavings, and cherry toppings, making it an indulgent centerpiece for any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake:
- 2 boxes French vanilla cake mix
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 1 cup Unsalted sweet cream butter (softened)
- 6 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups Chopped Maraschino cherries
- 2 cups Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cherry Frosting:
- 2 cups Unsalted sweet cream butter (softened)
- 4 cups Powdered sugar
- 3 teaspoons Cherry extract
- 3-6 drops Red gel food coloring (adjust for desired hue)
Vanilla Frosting:
- 3 cups Unsalted sweet cream butter (softened)
- 6 cups Powdered sugar
- 3 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 3-6 tablespoons Heavy whipping cream (to adjust consistency)
Decoration:
- 1 cup Mini chocolate chips
- Chocolate shaving sprinkles (for decoration)
- 1/2 cup Maraschino cherries with stem (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray three round cake pans with baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a standing mixer, combine all the cake ingredients — cake mix, whole milk, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract — and beat until thoroughly blended and smooth.
- Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in the chopped Maraschino cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
- Divide Batter: Evenly divide the batter among the three prepared cake pans to ensure equally sized layers.
- Bake the Cakes: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Remove from oven and allow the cakes to cool completely on the counter before frosting.
- Prepare Cherry Frosting: Beat together all cherry frosting ingredients — softened butter, powdered sugar, cherry extract, and red gel food coloring — for 5-7 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Prepare Vanilla Frosting: In a separate bowl, beat the vanilla frosting ingredients — softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream — for 5-7 minutes until creamy and smooth. Adjust consistency with cream as needed.
- Set Aside Piping Frosting: Scoop 1 ½ cups of the vanilla frosting into a piping bag for decorating the top of the cake later.
- Level the Cake Layers: Use a serrated knife or cake leveler to trim the tops of the cake rounds for even layers.
- Assemble First Layer: Place one cake round on your cake board with the flat side facing up.
- Spread Cherry Frosting: Spread 1 ½ cups of cherry frosting evenly over the first cake layer.
- Second Layer: Place the second cake round on top and press down gently to secure.
- Spread More Cherry Frosting: Spread another 1 ½ cups of cherry frosting onto the second layer.
- Top Layer Placement: Place the final cake round on top.
- Frost Entire Cake: Use the remaining vanilla frosting to cover the entire assembled cake evenly.
- Add Mini Chocolate Chips: Decorate the base of the cake by gently pressing mini chocolate chips around the bottom edge.
- Pipe Frosting Dollops: Using the prepared piping bag filled with vanilla frosting, pipe dollops evenly spaced along the top edge of the cake.
- Decorate Dollops: Sprinkle chocolate shavings onto the frosted dollops for a textured look.
- Top with Cherries: Finish by placing Maraschino cherries with stems on top of each frosting dollop for an elegant presentation.
- Serve: Slice your delicious Cherry Garcia Chocolate Cherry Cake and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the cake layers are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting or sliding of frosting.
- Adjust the amount of red gel food coloring according to your preferred color intensity in the cherry frosting.
- Use good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips for best flavor.
- For a smoother frosting texture, sift powdered sugar before mixing.
- Decorate the cake just before serving to keep the cherries fresh and vibrant.
- Leftover cake can be stored covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
