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Chocolate Cherry Loaf

A decadent loaf that combines dark chocolate and tart cherries, bringing warmth and nostalgia to your baking experience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour Use unbleached flour for a more natural flavor.
  • 0.5 cups unsweetened cocoa powder Look for high-quality cocoa for deeper flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
  • 0.25 teaspoons salt Sea salt works beautifully for enhancing flavors.
Wet Ingredients
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened Make sure it's at room temperature.
  • 1 cups granulated sugar You can use a mixture of white and brown sugar for added flavor complexity.
  • 2 large eggs Room temperature eggs mix in better.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Use pure vanilla for the best taste.
  • 0.5 cups milk Whole milk will give a richer flavor.
Fruits and Chocolate
  • 1 cups dark chocolate chips Semi-sweet chocolate works well.
  • 1 cups tart cherries, pitted and halved Frozen cherries can work, just thaw and drain excess moisture.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
  4. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Baking
  1. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
  2. Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips and tart cherries.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
  4. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Check at the 60-minute mark.
  5. Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

To avoid a dry loaf, don't skip the cooling step; it helps moisture settle. Every oven is different; adjust the baking time as needed. High-quality butter and chocolate make a significant difference in flavor.