Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake: A Fall Dessert Masterpiece

Introduction

Few desserts embody the cozy spirit of fall quite like a Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake. This masterpiece layers rich, fudgy chocolate cake over a luscious, jewel-toned cherry topping, creating a stunning dessert that looks as good as it tastes. The caramelized cherries not only bring a burst of tart-sweet flavor but also create an eye-catching presentation perfect for autumn gatherings.

Why Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake Stands Out

This cake is a showstopper thanks to the marriage of intense chocolate flavor with juicy, sweet-tart cherries. The upside down method allows the fruit’s natural juices to seep into the cake, keeping it moist and elevating every bite. It’s a crowd-pleasing dessert that requires only basic ingredients and can be served warm for ultimate comfort.

Getting the Cherry Layer Just Right

To achieve the signature glossy cherry crown, arrange fresh or frozen cherries in a single layer at the bottom of your cake pan and coat them generously with a quick homemade brown sugar caramel. The result: a glistening, slightly tangy layer that beautifully balances the deep chocolate beneath it.

Assembling the Upside Down Cake

Carefully pour your rich chocolate batter over the arranged cherries, ensuring an even coating. Bake until perfectly set and the edges pull away from the pan. The most thrilling moment comes when you invert the cake—revealing the cherry-glazed top in all its glory.

Serving Suggestions for an Impressive Finish

Serve slices of Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake warm from the oven, paired with a dollop of real whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. For extra elegance, a drizzle of chocolate ganache or a sprinkle of shaved dark chocolate makes each serving truly special. Its vibrant colors and intense flavor make it the perfect fall centerpiece.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 8 generous servings. Each slice is approximately 330-380 calories, depending on toppings and the type of chocolate used. Enjoy as an occasional treat during your fall celebrations.

Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake (Recap)

This autumn-inspired upside down cake is the ultimate in fall decadence. Its rich chocolate base and jewel-like cherry top create a symphony of flavors and textures that will have guests asking for seconds.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a streamlined shopping list, sorted by grocery store section! CookifyAI makes planning your fall desserts—and every grocery run—efficient and stress free.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment for easy release.
2. Prepare the Cherry Layer: In a small saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter and stir in the brown sugar until combined. Pour this mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Top with cherries in a single layer.
3. Start the Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips if using.
6. Pour batter evenly over the cherry layer, spreading gently to cover all fruit.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let cake cool for 10-15 minutes in the pan, then run a knife around the edge and invert onto a large serving plate. Remove the parchment, revealing the cherry topping.
9. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature, with desired garnishes.

Weekly Meal Planning

Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake is ideal for make-ahead entertaining or integrating into your autumn meal schedule. Save and schedule this recipe to see it alongside other weekly meals, generate smart shopping lists, and avoid last minute scrambling for ingredients.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically tallies ingredient amounts across all recipes for the week
• Groups groceries by store section—for the fastest, easiest shopping trips
• Prevents overbuying and forgotten items, so nothing goes to waste

Pro tip: Use CookifyAI to effortlessly coordinate more than just desserts—sync your entire weekly menu for streamlined meal prep and joyful fall feasts.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including cooling and inverting)