Cake

Chocolate Cherry Cake for My Birthday

June 19, 2011 / 8 Comments

This year is a very special birthday for me because I turn 19 years of age on the 19th day of the month! I consider 9 and 19 my lucky numbers so I’m pretty excited. Sometimes I really can’t believe how old I am getting. Sometimes it scares me but I know that it is inevitable so I try to live with it.

I would like to celebrate this past year of my life by reflecting on what I have accomplished:

  • I started my first year of University. This was a great experience for me because of the amazing things I have learned and the confidence I have gained by completing my scholastic challenges
  • I started a blog! I honestly should have started a long time ago but I was afraid that I would not be able to commit to it. Obviously that is turning out not to be an issue!
  • I discovered more about myself and what I would like to do as a career
  • Ich habe Deutsch gelernt! I learned German which was very important to me because I have a German heritage and I love learning languages
  • I took a coaching course for figure skating
  • To go along with that, I am also proud of continuing figure skating despite some obstacles
  • I started hot yoga. I’ve practiced yoga for many years but only recently I have been going to classes consistently. I love my hot yoga classes because they make me feel me feel better about myself and more balanced
  • I got my first job

Looking at this list I think it is truly amazing how much I have done! My goals for this year is to continue to accomplish everything I set out to do as well as enjoy every nuance of life!

Anyhow now that I have all of that out of the way, it’s cake time!
My favorite cake is Blackforest so of course I wanted to have something similar to that for my birthday. I decided on this chocolate cake with cherries baked in on the bottom and some Grand Marnier (I wish I had some Kirsch!) in the batter. Just like a Blackforest cake except a little bit simpler.

I decorated my cake with dried cherries

This cake is really yummy. The cherries stick out like little gems on the bottom and the chocolate cake is so light and fluffy.
And I haven’t forgotten that it is also Father’s Day. A big thank you to all of the dads out there! If you need a good excuse to bake this cake, today is the day.

Chocolate Cherry Cake
one 9 inch cake

2  cups frozen pitted cherries
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp Grand Marnier
1/2 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350. Prepare a 9 inch round pan
Spoon raspberries evenly into pan. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp sugar
Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a small bowl
In another bowl beat together butter and sugar until creamy
Add egg and vanilla and Grand Marnier then mix till blended
Add half of the flour mixture mix just to incorporate
Mix in milk till just blended
Mix in rest of flour till just mixed and batter is smooth
Drop carefully over berries and smooth evenly
Bake 35-40 min till firm and cake tester comes out clean

Cool for 30 min
Gently remove cake out of pan and if desired frost the cake on the side without the cherries (see recipe below)
You may alternatively serve this as an upside-down cake

Chocolate Frosting

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup icing sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch salt

Beat butter until creamy
Add in all of the rest of the ingredients and beat the frosting until smooth and creamy. About 2 min

What do you like to do on your birthday?
I like going on picnics but this year it has been rainy so maybe I’ll go next weekend
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Pin Share

Oh hi there 👋
It’s nice to meet you.

Sign up to receive awesome recipes in your inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

You May Also Like

Matcha Elderflower Loaf Cake (gluten free, vegan)

April 14, 2020

Strawberry Grapefruit Ricotta Cake

July 5, 2018

Lavender Apricot Earl Grey Tea Cake

May 23, 2017

8 Comments

  • Sarah

    June 20, 2011 at 7:24 am

    Happy Golden Birthday! Mine was when I turned 22 on the 22nd…7 years ago…sigh. I have been on such a cherry kick lately and this cake looks like it might be my next stop. Thanks for sharing!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking)

    June 21, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    Happy belated birthday! I'm not looking forward to my golden birthday in almost 8 years, because that means I'll be turning 30 on the 30th! I am excited to turn 22 in a few months, though- it's my favorite number 🙂

  • Anonymous

    June 21, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday Birthday!
    Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday Birthday!
    Happy Happy Birthday!
    Happy Happy Happy Birthday!
    Happy Birthday!
    Happy Happy Birthday!
    Happy Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

    Happy Happy Birthday KAT Dear!
    Happy days will come to you all year!
    If I had a wish, then it would be –
    A Happy Happy Birthday to you from me!

    This month is such a special one!
    It’s birthday time for you!
    I’d really like to celebrate this happy time with you!
    Zipp-pi-dee-ay and hide-dee-ho, there’s something I can do.
    I’ll sing a song that we all know –
    Happy Birthday to YOU!

    Happy Birthday to you!
    Happy Birthday to you!
    Happy Birthday dear KAT!
    Happy Birthday to YOU!

    Have a wonderful day KAT!

  • Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake

    June 23, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    Happy birthday, Kate! I've been doing hot yoga for a few years and love it, too.

    I'm sorry we missed your name and recipe for Monet. If you can tell me what you sent to Kate, and give me a link to the blog post (or make a new blog post, like a lot of us did to honor Monet), I'll get you on the list. Thanks SO much for helping with this project…and again, I'm sorry we missed you name~