Imagine you have a quick visit coming up, or you simply fancy a sweet, easy-to-prepare treat. This chocolate cherry cake from the baking sheet fulfills just that. With a preparation time of about an hour and ingredients often found in your pantry, this recipe is ideal for spontaneous baking sessions. The combination of juicy cherries and rich chocolate makes this cake a real treat, guaranteed to delight.
Whether for coffee, as dessert after a delicious dinner, or simply as a sweet treat in between meals – this cake is versatile and always a delight. Let its simple preparation and irresistible flavor win you over and bring a piece of culinary happiness into your kitchen. Originally inspired by traditional German sheet cakes, this chocolate cherry cake brings a modern twist to the table that's perfect for any season.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking/baking time: 35 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients for one serving (baking tray 40x30 cm):

- 1 jar of cherries
- 250 g dark chocolate
- 140 g butter (room temperature)
- 180 g brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 220 g type 405 wheat flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- 220 ml milk


Preparation:

Step 1: Preparation

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). Line a baking sheet with baking paper and let the cherries drain well over a sieve. Meanwhile, roughly chop the chocolate and melt it over a pan of simmering water or in the microwave over low heat.

Step 2: Prepare the dough

Place the room-temperature butter and brown sugar in a bowl and beat for several minutes until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating each egg well before adding the next. Stir the melted chocolate into the batter.

Step 3: Mix dry ingredients

Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a separate bowl. Gradually add this dry mixture, along with the milk, to the wet batter and stir until smooth. Finally, carefully fold in the drained cherries.

Step 4: Baking

Spread the batter evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes. Test the center of the cake with a wooden skewer to see if it's cooked through—there should be no raw batter left on it.

Step 5: Serve

Let the cake cool completely. Then cut it into 18-24 slices and serve dusted with powdered sugar or with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

Tips & Variations:

- Nutty touch: Add chopped nuts such as walnuts or almonds to the batter to give the cake extra texture and depth of flavor.
- Fruity variations: Experiment with other fruits such as raspberries or blackberries for an exciting change.
- Chocolate intensity: Use a mix of dark and milk chocolate if you prefer a milder chocolate flavor.

Serving suggestion:

Serve the chocolate cherry cake on a pretty serving platter and garnish with fresh cherries or mint leaves. Serve it perfectly with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk. For special occasions, you can also top the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Conclusion:

The chocolate cherry cake from the tray bake is a wonderful recipe that is suitable for both beginners and experienced hobby bakers.The combination of juicy cherries and rich chocolate makes this cake a real highlight on any coffee table.
Try this recipe and be enchanted by the delicious combination of chocolate and cherries.

Have fun baking and enjoying!