Decadent Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake for Fall

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When the autumn air turns crisp and the nights start drawing in, our thoughts inevitably turn to cosy, comforting desserts. Are you searching for a bake that truly embodies the spirit of the season, something more than just a sweet treat? We have just the thing. Allow us to introduce our rich, gooey, and utterly sublime decadent chocolate cherry upside down cake for fall. This impressive bake marries a deeply moist chocolate sponge with a spectacular, gem-like topping of caramelised cherries. It is, quite simply, the perfect autumnal indulgence.

Why This Chocolate Cherry Cake is the Perfect Autumnal Treat

For us, this cake is the very essence of autumn on a plate. We’ve given the traditional upside down cake a wonderfully sophisticated and comforting update, making it perfect for those chilly evenings. The process is pure magic: a buttery brown sugar glaze melts and bubbles around plump, sweet cherries, forming a tangy caramel topping. When the deep, dark chocolate batter is poured over, it locks in all that glorious flavour, ready for the bake.

Of course, the true drama comes with the final flip. Inverting the warm cake from its tin to reveal the glossy, jammy cherry topping is a moment of pure baking delight. The contrast of the deep crimson cherries against the rich, dark sponge is a visual feast, making it an ideal centrepiece for any occasion, from a simple family supper to a more festive gathering. The blend of warm chocolate and tangy fruit is a timeless combination that feels both nostalgic and wonderfully luxurious, cementing its status as the best cherry dessert for the season.

Gathering Your Ingredients: The Building Blocks of Decadence

Before we pop our aprons on, let’s assemble the quality ingredients that will elevate this cake from good to truly special. A fantastic bake always starts with the best components, and we’ve chosen each one with care to guarantee a beautifully balanced and delicious outcome. We have separated the list into the two key elements: the glorious topping and the tender cake itself.

For the Cherry and Caramel Topping

Unsalted Butter: This forms the foundation of our luscious caramel glaze, adding essential richness.
Light Brown Sugar: This dissolves into the butter to create a soft, delectable caramel that enrobes the cherries perfectly.
Dark Sweet Cherries: Whether you choose fresh (pitted) or frozen (thawed and well-drained), their vibrant tartness provides the perfect counterpoint to the rich chocolate. For a deeper dive into cherry varieties, this guide from BBC Good Food is a brilliant resource.

For the Moist Chocolate Cake Batter

The secret to this cake’s sublimely soft texture lies in a careful selection of ingredients that work in harmony for a super-tender crumb. This is our trusted moist chocolate cake recipe, and it delivers flawless results every time.

Plain Flour: This provides the essential structure for our cake.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: For the most profound chocolate flavour, we recommend using a high-quality cocoa powder.
Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Our leavening duo, working together to give the cake a beautiful, airy lift.
Salt: Just a pinch is vital for intensifying the chocolate notes and balancing the overall sweetness.
Caster Sugar: This provides the ideal amount of sweetness for the sponge.
Large Eggs: Bringing them to room temperature first ensures they mix into the batter seamlessly.
Buttermilk: The gentle acidity here is key; it reacts with the baking soda to produce an exceptionally tender and moist crumb.
Vegetable Oil: Our guarantee for a moist cake that retains its freshness for several days.
Vanilla Extract: An indispensable baking ingredient that enhances and deepens all the other flavours.
Hot Brewed Coffee or Hot Water: Here’s a little trick we swear by! The hot liquid blooms the cocoa powder, unlocking a far richer chocolate taste. We promise the cake won’t taste of coffee—just intensely of chocolate.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Your Decadent Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake for Fall

With our ingredients at the ready, it’s time for the fun to begin! We’ve crafted this chocolate cherry cake recipe to be as enjoyable and straightforward as possible. Simply follow our guide, and a show-stopping dessert will be yours to enjoy.

Prepare the Pan and Topping: To start, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4). Thoroughly butter a 9-inch round cake tin. Gently melt the butter for the topping and pour it across the base of the prepared tin. Sprinkle the light brown sugar evenly over the butter. Now, arrange your pitted cherries in a single, neat layer on top of the sugar. Set this aside while you make the batter.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the plain flour, cocoa powder, caster sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This step is important for aerating the flour and removing any lumps.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until everything is smoothly combined.
Combine and Finish the Batter: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Using an electric mixer on a low setting or a hand whisk, mix until just combined—it’s crucial not to overmix. Now, slowly and carefully pour in the hot coffee or water, mixing on low speed until the batter is smooth. It will seem quite thin, but this is exactly what we want for a beautifully moist cake!
Assemble and Bake: Gently pour the finished chocolate batter over the layer of cherries in your tin, spreading it out to the edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
The Grand Reveal: This is the most thrilling moment of any upside down cake recipe! Allow the cake to cool in its tin on a wire rack for precisely 10 minutes. Waiting any longer risks the caramel setting and sticking. Place a large serving plate over the top of the tin. Using oven gloves for protection, confidently and swiftly flip the tin and plate over. Lift the tin away to reveal your masterpiece. If any cherries have stayed behind, simply nudge them off and place them back on the cake.

Top Tips for Upside Down Cake Perfection

We want every bake to be a success, so we’ve gathered a few of our most trusted tips to help you achieve a perfect result every single time.

- Don’t Overmix the Batter: To achieve a wonderfully light and tender sponge, be gentle when combining your ingredients. Mixing only until the flour streaks have disappeared prevents the cake from becoming tough.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Allowing your eggs and buttermilk to come to room temperature before you start helps the batter emulsify beautifully, resulting in a finer, more even crumb.

– **The Flip is Time-Sensitive:** It is vital to invert the cake whilst it is still warm. The 10-minute cooling window is your sweet spot; it gives the cake a moment to set, yet keeps the caramel topping fluid enough to release from the tin cleanly.

Fresh vs. Frozen Cherries: Either will work wonderfully here! If you opt for frozen cherries, ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry to get rid of any excess water, which could otherwise thin out your topping.

Customising Your Chocolate Cherry Cake

One of the greatest joys of baking at home is the freedom to add your own personal touch. This cake serves as a brilliant base for experimentation. Here are some of our favourite fall baking ideas to inspire you.

A Hint of Spice

To deepen the autumnal character of the cake, consider adding half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a grating of fresh nutmeg to your dry ingredients. For a more daring palate, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper will lend a subtle warmth that pairs beautifully with chocolate.

A Touch of Almond

The combination of cherry and almond is a classic for a reason. For a delicate, nutty note, add half a teaspoon of almond extract to the wet ingredients alongside the vanilla. If you adore this pairing, we think you’ll love our Almond Joy Cookie Recipe too.

Going Nuts

For a lovely textural contrast, scatter a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts over the brown sugar before layering on the cherries. They will toast and caramelise as the cake bakes, adding a welcome crunch.

How to Serve and Store Your Masterpiece

This cake is utterly delicious served warm, exactly as it is. However, to elevate it to pure decadence, we suggest accompanying a slice with a generous dollop of softly whipped cream, a scoop of good-quality vanilla ice cream, or a spoonful of creme fraiche to cut through the sweetness. For another show-stopping yet deceptively light dessert, why not give our famous Cloud Cake Recipe a go?

Should you have any cake left over, cover it loosely or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. We find that the flavours deepen and it becomes even more delicious on day two!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use a different type of fruit?

Of course! This upside down method is wonderfully versatile. Sliced apples or pears would make a fantastic autumnal substitute. For other seasons, classic choices like sliced pineapple or peaches work beautifully as well.

My cake stuck to the pan! What went wrong?

This is a common worry with upside down cakes, but easily avoided. It typically happens for one of two reasons: either the tin wasn’t greased well enough, or the cake was left to cool for too long, which allows the caramel to set hard and glue itself to the pan. Be generous when buttering your tin and remember to flip it after just 10 minutes of cooling.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, certainly. We suggest using a reputable 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend which already includes xanthan gum. You can substitute it in equal measure for the plain flour. The final texture might be subtly different, but it will be just as delightful.

Can I prepare this decadent chocolate cherry upside down cake for fall ahead of time?

This cake is at its absolute best on the day it’s baked, especially when served slightly warm. That said, it is still wonderful if made a day in advance. Simply store it at room temperature and, if you wish, you can gently warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving.

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Autumnal Bake

And there you have it—a complete guide to creating a truly magnificent dessert that perfectly captures the warm, comforting embrace of autumn. This rich, moist, and visually striking cake is sure to become a cherished seasonal tradition in your home. From its glistening caramel-cherry crown to its deep chocolate crumb, every single mouthful is a moment of pure joy.

So, we encourage you to preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and prepare to bake the most memorable decadent chocolate cherry upside down cake for fall. We would be thrilled to see how yours turns out, so please do tag us on social media or share your experience in the comments below!