Decadent Chocolate-Cherry Delight Cake

1. Preheat the oven

Start by getting your oven ready. Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch anodized aluminum cake pans and line them with parchment paper to ensure your cakes come out cleanly.

2. Sift dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and cocoa powder. Set this mixture aside for later.

3. Mix wet ingredients

In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the sugar, vanilla extract, baking soda, Diamond Crystal kosher salt, ground cinnamon, almond extract, and eggs. Using the whisk attachment, whip the mixture on high speed until it becomes foamy and light, which should take about 5 minutes. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the batter, giving the cake a light texture.

4. Incorporate oil and cherry juice

With the mixer still running, slowly drizzle in the neutral oil. Once the oil is fully incorporated, add the pure, unsweetened tart cherry juice. The batter should be smooth and well-combined at this point.

5. Combine wet and dry ingredients

Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the sifted flour and cocoa mixture. Mix until just combined, ensuring there are no lumps.

6. Divide and bake

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, using a kitchen scale if you want to be precise (each pan should get about 17.75 ounces of batter). Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for about 22 minutes. You'll know they're done when the cakes are puffed and firm, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.

7. Cool the cakes

Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for about 45 minutes. Cooling them in the pans helps create an even texture and enhances the flavor.

8. Prepare cherry whipped cream

While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cherry whipped cream. In a food processor, grind the freeze-dried cherries and sugar until they form a fine powder. Add the heavy cream and almond extract (if using) and pulse until the mixture thickens to the consistency of Greek yogurt. This process creates a stable and flavorful whipped cream.

9. Assemble the cake

Once the cakes are completely cool, trim any domed tops with a serrated bread knife to ensure even layers. Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a generous amount of cherry whipped cream over the top using an offset spatula. Stack the second cake layer on top and spread more whipped cream over the top and sides, smoothing it out as you go.

10. Decorate and serve

Finally, decorate the cake with additional freeze-dried cherries, gently pressing them into the whipped cream. Your Decadent Chocolate-Cherry Delight Cake is now ready to serve. Enjoy!