Next, take the jar of cherry pie filling and pour it evenly over the poked cake, making sure the filling gets into those little holes you created. Don’t be shy with it! Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, which should take about another 30 minutes. While it’s cooling, I love to prepare the chocolate ganache for the topping. In a saucepan over low heat, combine the heavy whipping cream and milk chocolate chips, stirring frequently until it’s completely melted and smooth. Remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly – it will thicken up nicely as it cools!
Once the cake is cool, pour the chocolate ganache over the top, spreading it evenly with a spatula for a nice, even layer. The dessert starts to come together beautifully at this point! Next, in a large mixing bowl, whip the remaining heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Spread this whipped cream over the ganache layer, and you can even make swirls with the spatula for a pretty finish. To top it off, sprinkle with chocolate shavings or add a few pitted cherries if you’d like. It looks so decadent!
Now, cover the cake with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least a couple of hours, but overnight is even better! This gives the flavors time to meld together beautifully, and you’ll get that lovely, moist cake texture. Trust me, the wait is totally worth it!
Pro Tips for Best Results
When I first started making this cake, I experimented with different chocolate cake mixes. Some worked better than others in terms of moisture and flavor. After some trial and error, I found that using a cake mix made with real cocoa powder produces a richer flavor that really stands out against the cherries.
Another tip is to allow your chocolate ganache to cool for about 10-15 minutes before pouring it over the cake. If it’s too hot, it can melt the whipped cream layer underneath, and we want to keep those beautiful layers intact!
Finally, I always like to add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of my whipped cream layer. It enhances the sweet, chocolatey flavors and offers a nice contrast. I promise, a little sprinkle goes a long way!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One mistake I made early on was not letting the cake cool long enough before pouring the cherry filling on top. The filling can seep into the cake too quickly if it’s still warm, resulting in a soggy bottom layer that no one wants. Make sure to give it enough time to cool to room temperature! (See the next page below to continue…)