Description
Decadent chocolate cake soaked in cherry rose syrup, layered with cherry rose buttercream and rich chocolate ganache. A truly indulgent dessert!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cherry juice (from maraschino cherries)
- 1 tablespoon rose water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup cherry juice (from maraschino cherries)
- 1 tablespoon rose water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: Red food coloring (gel)
- Maraschino cherries, halved or whole
- Edible rose petals (optional)
- Chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Use parchment paper rounds at the bottom for extra insurance against sticking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Slowly pour in the boiling water while mixing on low speed. The batter will be very thin.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cherry juice, rose water, and lemon juice.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from heat and let the syrup cool completely.
- Finely chop the semi-sweet chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl.
- In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Don’t let it boil!
- Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for a minute or two to allow the heat to melt the chocolate.
- Gently stir the mixture, starting from the center and working your way outwards, until the chocolate is completely melted and the ganache is smooth and glossy.
- Stir in the softened butter until it is fully incorporated.
- Let the ganache cool slightly before using it to frost the cake. It should be thick enough to spread but still pourable.
- In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), beat the softened butter until it is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined.
- Add the cherry juice, rose water, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
- If the buttercream is too thick, add a little more cherry juice, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- If you want a more vibrant pink color, add a few drops of red food coloring (gel) and mix until evenly colored.
- If your cake layers are uneven, use a serrated knife to level them.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Brush the top of the cake layer generously with the cherry rose syrup.
- Spread a generous layer of cherry rose buttercream over the soaked cake layer.
- Drizzle some of the chocolate ganache over the buttercream layer.
- Carefully place the second cake layer on top.
- Brush the top of the second cake layer with the remaining cherry rose syrup.
- Apply a thin layer of buttercream over the entire cake (top and sides). This is called a crumb coat and it will trap any loose crumbs.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.
- Apply a final, thicker layer of cherry rose buttercream over the entire cake. Smooth it out with a spatula or cake smoother.
- If you want a dramatic drip effect, warm the remaining chocolate ganache slightly and pour it over the edges of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Decorate the cake with maraschino cherries, edible rose petals, and chocolate shavings.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to set completely.
Notes
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature unless otherwise specified.
- Don’t overmix the cake batter, as this can result in a tough cake.
- The boiling water in the cake batter is essential for a moist and flavorful cake.
- Cool the cake layers completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- The cherry rose syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- The chocolate ganache can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before using.
- Adjust the amount of cherry juice in the buttercream to achieve your desired consistency and flavor.
- Get creative with the decorations!
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 35 minutes