Cherry Chocolate Cream Cheese Bundt Cake Recipe for Sweet Celebrations

Whipping up a decadent cherry chocolate cream cheese bundt cake might sound like a complex culinary adventure, but I promise it’s simpler than you think.

Sweet cherries burst with vibrant flavor throughout this moist, rich dessert.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over the deep, luxurious notes woven into each tender crumb.

Cream cheese adds a delightful tangy smoothness that balances the intense sweetness perfectly.

My grandmother first shared this recipe during summer gatherings, and it quickly became a family favorite.

Every slice promises a delightful dance of fruity, chocolatey goodness that melts in your mouth.

You’ll want to roll up your sleeves and create this showstopping dessert right away.

Why Cherry Chocolate Cream Cheese Bundt Cake Wins Hearts

• Perfect for home bakers wanting a delightful dessert without complicated techniques, this Bundt cake offers straightforward steps anyone can master.
• Prepare this delectable cake in under an hour, making it an ideal solution for spontaneous dessert cravings or unexpected guest arrivals.
• The irresistible blend of cherries, chocolate, and cream cheese creates a luxurious taste that appeals to both kids and adults, ensuring everyone at the table feels satisfied.
• Whether it's a birthday, holiday gathering, or casual weekend get-together, this stunning Bundt cake elevates any occasion with its elegant appearance and rich flavors.

Ingredients for Cherry Chocolate Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic baking flour that provides structure and soft texture for the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweet component that adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent for creating a light and fluffy cake texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Eggs: Binding agent that adds richness and helps create cake structure.
• Vegetable Oil: Provides moisture and ensures a soft, tender cake.
• Cream Cheese: Adds a tangy richness and creates a moist, dense cake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Classic flavoring that enhances the overall taste profile.

• Fresh Cherries, Dried Cherries: Provides bursts of fruity flavor and natural sweetness.
• Chocolate Chips: Adds rich chocolate flavor and creates delightful melted pockets in the cake.

How to Bake a Perfect Cherry Chocolate Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a Bundt pan with butter or cooking spray, then dust with flour to prevent sticking. Tap out any excess flour to create a smooth coating.

Step 2: Create Cream Cheese Mixture

In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add sugar and mix until fully incorporated. Crack eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract for a rich, aromatic flavor.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

Sift the ingredients to remove any lumps and ensure a smooth texture.

Step 4: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be smooth and free of flour streaks.

Step 5: Fold in Cherries

• Pitted and chopped fresh cherries
• Chocolate chips

Distribute the cherries and chocolate evenly throughout the batter.

Step 6: Pour and Bake

Transfer the batter to the prepared Bundt pan, spreading it evenly. Use a spatula to smooth the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Finish

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully invert the cake onto a wire rack and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate glaze if desired.

Tips for a Well-Balanced Cherry Chocolate Bundt

• Prevent Cake Sticking: Thoroughly coat every nook and cranny of the Bundt pan with non-stick spray or butter and flour to ensure easy cake release after baking.
• Boost Fruit Flavor: Toss fresh cherries in a light dusting of flour before adding to the batter to prevent them from sinking and distribute evenly throughout the cake.
• Check Moisture Level: Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake; if it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is perfectly baked and ready to remove from the oven.
• Enhance Chocolate Depth: Use high-quality dark chocolate or cocoa powder to intensify the rich chocolate flavor and create a more complex taste profile in the cake.
• Cool Completely Before Decorating: Allow the Bundt cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool entirely before adding cream cheese frosting or glaze.

Keep Cherry Chocolate Bundt Cake Tasty After Day One

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each slice individually with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Carefully place cake slices in freezer-safe containers or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore softness. For a crisp exterior, briefly toast in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes.
• Let refrigerated cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture.

What Works Well With Cherry Chocolate Bundt Cake

• Serve a steaming mug of dark roast Colombian coffee beside this decadent cake, letting its rich, bold flavors cut through the sweetness and complement the cherry and chocolate notes.
• Select a chilled glass of ruby port or late harvest Zinfandel, whose fruity undertones and slight sweetness will dance perfectly with the cake's cherry essence and chocolate depth.
• Top a slice with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, allowing its cool, smooth texture to balance the cake's warm richness and provide a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
• Dollop freshly whipped cream with a hint of almond extract alongside the cake slice, introducing a light, airy texture that elevates the cake's dense, moist crumb and highlights its complex flavor profile.

Cherry Chocolate Bundt Variations to Test Out

• Gluten-Free Cherry Chocolate Delight: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, ensuring a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cake's rich texture and flavor.
• Vegan Cherry Chocolate Indulgence: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use dairy-free cream cheese, and choose dark chocolate without milk solids to create a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sugar Cherry Chocolate Treat: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall calorie content while preserving the cake's decadent taste.
• Dairy-Free Cherry Chocolate Dream: Use coconut cream cheese alternative and almond milk-based chocolate, creating a lactose-free cake that still delivers incredible moisture and depth.

All Your Cherry Chocolate Cream Cheese Bundt Cake Questions

• What gives this bundt cake its unique moisture and texture?

The cream cheese in the batter adds incredible richness and helps create a super moist, tender crumb that stays soft for days after baking.

• Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can absolutely use frozen cherries. Just thaw and drain them completely before adding to the batter to prevent excess moisture from affecting the cake’s texture.

• How do I prevent my cherries from sinking to the bottom of the cake?

Toss the cherries in a light coating of flour before adding them to the batter. This helps prevent them from sinking and distributes them more evenly throughout the cake.

• Is it necessary to use a Bundt pan for this recipe?

While a Bundt pan creates the signature shape, you can substitute it with a tube pan or a deep 9-inch round cake pan if needed. Just adjust baking time slightly and watch the cake carefully.

Cherry Chocolate Cream Cheese Bundt Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent cherry chocolate cream cheese bundt cake invites sweet-toothed dessert enthusiasts on a delightful culinary journey. Rich layers of chocolate, tangy cherries, and creamy cheese promise a luxurious slice that will transport your taste buds to pure bliss.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces or 432 grams) chocolate cake mix
• 1 cup (150 grams) canned cherry pie filling
• 3 large eggs

Cream Cheese Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup (65 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Liquid and Supplementary Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
• 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 milliliters) milk or heavy cream
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Fresh cherries or chocolate shavings for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Thoroughly coat the interior of a Bundt pan using non-stick baking spray or generously grease and dust with flour to prevent cake from sticking.
2. Heat the oven to a precise 350F (175C), ensuring the temperature is consistent for even baking.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together softened cream cheese and butter until the mixture becomes light, smooth, and fully incorporated.
4. Gradually introduce granulated sugar to the creamed mixture, whipping until the texture becomes fluffy and the sugar dissolves completely.
5. Incorporate eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition to create a uniform consistency.
6. Sift together dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt – ensuring no lumps remain.
7. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring minimally to maintain a tender cake crumb.
8. Carefully fold fresh or thawed cherries and chocolate chips into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
9. Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared Bundt pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula for an even distribution.
10. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50-60 minutes, or until a slender toothpick inserted near the center emerges clean.
11. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool within the pan for 15 minutes before delicately inverting onto a wire rack.
12. Let the cake cool completely before applying glaze or powdered sugar for a stunning finishing touch.

Notes

• Select fresh, ripe cherries for the most vibrant flavor and natural sweetness in your cake.
• Use room temperature cream cheese and butter to ensure smooth, lump-free mixing and better cake texture.
• Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from affecting the cake’s consistency.
• Dust the Bundt pan with cocoa powder instead of flour for a richer chocolate appearance and no white residue.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg