With each move we have made (and we have made many!), I always discover new and unexpected perks of living in different parts of the country. In Charlotte, I worked on a farm, where I was able to eat some of the most delicious organic produce straight out of the ground. Tomatoes have truly never tasted better.
In Virginia, there were beautiful cherry blossoms and unparalleled views of some of the most impressive landmarks in the country.
And now here in Seattle, there are gorgeous snow-capped mountains, evergreens and blooming flowers everywhere you look, and last but not least – there are cherries. Ohhh the cherries!
I had no idea a cherry could taste so good until I got to the Pacific Northwest. And there are so many TYPES of cherries! My personal favorites are the Rainier cherries (above), but there is definitely an option for everyone.
This latest creation came from an afternoon where my sister was absolutely insistent that we needed some sort of baked good in the house. It didn’t take much convincing for me to agree. While most cherry baked goods utilize dried cherries, I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous fresh cherries we had in abundance in our refrigerator.
Sweet Cherry Chocolate Chip Cake
Ingredients: (makes 9-12 squares)
- 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp ground flax (+ 6 tbsp water)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions: This recipe is super simple and comes together quickly. Start by combining the flax and water in a small bowl, and setting aside to thicken for a few minutes into a “flax egg.”
Next add the brown sugar, vanilla, apple sauce, and flax egg to a mixer and beat to combine.
In a separate bowl, combine flours, baking powder, and salt, and then slowly add to the mixture until you have a sticky cake batter.
Cherry time!
I used a mixture of Rainier and Cabernet sweet cherries, but you can use whatever type works best for you.
Carefully pit and slice the cherries.
Warning: fingers may turn purple.
Add cherries and chocolate chips to your mixing bowl, and stir until combined.
Spread evenly in a greased 8 inch square baking pan.
Bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees, or until golden brown on top. Cool for at least 10 minutes, and then slice into servings.
If I thought there was nothing more delicious than fresh Pacific cherries, I was wrong. Fresh Pacific cherries baked into cake with chocolate chips is really what it’s all about.
Baked at a low temperature, the chocolate chips get just the right amount of melty while still holding their shape. Gooey and perfect.
I ate one piece right away, and another piece after dinner with vanilla almond milk ice cream. I would highly recommend it.
While I have never been a fan of cherry-flavored things (cough medicine!), using the real fruit itself is an entirely different story. Here’s hoping cherry season lasts longer than this cake did.
Enjoy!
86 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Rainer cherries were on sale here in Georgia at Publix. I’m sure they aren’t as fresh tasting, but I might have to try this recipe with them.
[Reply]
Looks delicious! I love bing cherries but here in Georgia there’s usually not that much variety. I would love to try some different types!
[Reply]
I am obsessed with Rainier cherries! LOVE them!
[Reply]
Yummy! I’m making this soon :D I always have cherries in the freezer(wonder if I can use those for this recipe?) and fresh ones are coming up soon since that’s a major crop where I live and my parents even live in an orchard. Plus cherries and chocolate are an awesome combo :D Just tried your coconut oil almond butter cookies recently and loved them too :)
[Reply]
I’m obsessed with cherries right now. This looks so deliciously good I kind of want to try a microwave, mini version right now!
[Reply]
Both cherry and grape FLAVORED things make me think of cough medicine. But the *love* the fruits themselves-and this cake looks like a great use of fresh cherries!
[Reply]
I have been OBSESSED with cherries this season. I have made cherry scones and jam. Will definitely try this recipe!
[Reply]
That cake definitely looks worth the price of purple fingers. Yum!
[Reply]
Oh my, this looks amazing! I definitely need to give it a go this weekend!
[Reply]
Yum! I feel like I ALWAYS have to have some sort of baked good that includes chocolate in my house lately. This looks perfect:-).
[Reply]
Rainier cherry season is my very favorite time of year! They never last long enough in our house to actually bake with them though, but this recipe looks like it might be worth saving some for!
[Reply]
These look delicious! I’m not vegan, can I use an egg instead of the flax?? I don’t have flax on hand. Pregnancy looks great on you, you are glowing!!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Yep, use 2 eggs!
[Reply]
Heathrr Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Thank you! Can’t wait to try it ;)
[Reply]
jessica Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
You read my mind! Thanks so much for asking this.
Yummmmm!
[Reply]
Donna Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
I was just about to ask the same question. Thanks.
[Reply]
Julie S. Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Me too!
[Reply]
that cake looks delicious. i have fresh cherries in my fridge right now. you have definitely inspired me to try this recipe this weekend!
[Reply]
where did you find almond milk ice cream? i’m a huge almond milk fan, so that sounds delicious!
[Reply]
I agree with cherry-flavored things to be rather… yuck… compared to the real thing.
This cake looks great!
[Reply]
I think I might try this cake with the abundance of blackberries I have on hand!
[Reply]
Oh yes, our cherries are the best! That was the one thing I missed when I moved to the East Coast – the Pacific NW fruit! This recipe looks amazing. Sounds like it might actually be easy enough for even ME to make. I’ll have to try it. Thanks!
[Reply]
Looks great! if i want to use real eggs instead of the flax eggs, how many would this recipe call for?
[Reply]
Jillian Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
oops.. should have read the rest of your comments, looks like someone already asked my question :)
[Reply]
Harry and David’s chocolate covered cherries are one of my favorite candies in the world. This looks like that but in cake form! Yum!
[Reply]
This looks wonderful!
[Reply]
Wow I am seriously going to bake this! Rainier cherries are my favorite too!
[Reply]
Very sad that I was halfway through eating the rest of my cherries when I opened the post! Otherwise I may have made this tonight!
[Reply]
My husband calls cherry fingers “serial killer fingers”. :)
[Reply]
I wish you had a restaurant I could come eat at! This looks so good!
[Reply]
I love cherries! They are one of my favorites, I always buy the frozen ones when I can’t get the fresh ones. Loving the pics in Seattle. I am bookmarking that city for a future vacay location :)
[Reply]
This looks yummy! Ranier cherries are definitely my favorite! My grandma always had them stocked at her house in the summer.
[Reply]
Do you have a cherry pitter? If not, what was your technique? I made fruit salad with cherries yesterday and spent an EON pitting cherries by hand! My hands were equally (if not more!) purple!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Nope, just cut them in half and pull the pits out with my fingers. I’m sure a cherry pitter would be a much better solution!
[Reply]
Chase Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Yep, that’s pretty much what I did :)
[Reply]
Ummm, YUM! I don’t even have to see the recipe, the title of this post was recipe enough for me!!!!!! My mouth is definitely watering right now!
[Reply]
Cherry season is reason enough to live in the PNW. It’s my favorite time of year!
[Reply]
Oh my! I haven’t seen any Ranier cherries where I’m at in Georgia. :( I might have to go find the closest Publix to me! This cake looks divine!
[Reply]
Yum, this looks amazing! I’m going to have to make it! I’m with you on the Rainer cherries…so pretty and delicious! I just wish they weren’t $12 a bag at WF! ;)
[Reply]
wow this looks great! I will be buying cherries on my next grocery trip. Cant wait to get baking!
[Reply]
I am so obsessed with cherries- I will definitely make this soon!
[Reply]
Cherries and chocolate are the way to my heart. I’m swooning over here!
[Reply]
You are speaking my language. This looks fantastic!
[Reply]
YUM! Looks delicious. Rainier cherries are also my favorite. And yes, we are quite spoiled here in the PNW. Too bad the season was a bit late this year, but better late than never!
[Reply]
Ohhh man! Enjoy those Rainiers for me! :D My husband and I used to live in Plain, a small town nearest to Leavenworth, WA, not far from Seattle, and LOVED those cherries. We once kept a count of how many lbs we ate over the summer – it’s almost disgusting to write it out. But if you’ve tried Rainier cherries, you know one handful is never enough! ;) Enjoy! And I will definitely make this bread when we get home from holidays and are around an oven – thanks!
[Reply]
Yum- I love cherry chocolate combo together. How fun that you used yellow cherries and red ones. I’m sure the cake is phenomenal- can’t wait to try!
[Reply]
I love Rainier cherries! Just discovered them last year, hadn’t thought about baking with them though that looks amazing :)
[Reply]
This sounded so good I ran right to the store after work to get the ingredients…then home to make myself. I can’t stop eating it!!!! So yummy!
[Reply]
I just ate some delicious cherries for a snack today. And now I’m inspired to bake with them!
[Reply]
I’ve always wanted to try rainer cherries but they’re so expensive!
[Reply]
made these just as I read the post! had just bought cherries…and a cherry pitter at WIlliams Sonoma. Awesome, fun tool. So these were a total hit, with my 8 year old and my husband. Tasty, healthy and easy! Total keeper. Thanks.
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Awesome! Thanks for letting me know!
[Reply]
There is almost nothing that tastes better than cherries with chocolate! Yum!!!
[Reply]
Oooh that looks absolutely amazing! So moist! (Is there a better word for moist?!) :) I want to take a big bite out of my screen! YUM!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 12:43 pm
I hate the word moist, but sometimes it is necessary. :)
[Reply]
I should feel like a fool for asking, but HOW do you pit cherries?? I ended up with sliced/ chunked cherries the other day when I attempted to pit them for a recipe. Any tips?
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 12:43 pm
I cut them in half and pull the pit out with my fingers. Not the prettiest thing ever, but it works!
[Reply]
Was inspired to make this last night for my coworkers – especially since some of my coworkers are vegitarian. It’s hard to find new yummy things to make. It came together so easily and is absolutely delicious! It makes a great morning treat with coffee. Thank you for the wonderful receipe. I will be keeping this one on hand.
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Yay so glad you lked it! :)
[Reply]
Looks scrumptious. Have to make this before the local cherries dry up from the extreme heat we’re having in Lancaster PA.
[Reply]
When you make the flax egg can you just mix the water and flax and let it thicken at room temp or do you have to cook it. I’ve seen many recipes that say to simmer the water and flax for a few minutes.
thanks!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Just let it thicken. I never cook it!
[Reply]
a cherry pitter would change your life.
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Haha I know! But I already have too many kitchen gadgets. Not allowed to get any more! :)
[Reply]
Real cherries will always be better than cherry-flavored anything. And they are definitely the best up here in the NW!
[Reply]
goodness — yumm!! my first thought was that this would be delicious afternoon school snack ;) … and i’m not the mom-to-be, hehe.
[Reply]
Oh gosh, this is just up my alley. And I just bought a ton of cherries. Perfect! :D
[Reply]
Heck yes. I am cherry-obsessed. Chobsessed? GIMME DAT CHOCOLATE.
[Reply]
The texture looks so doughy + gooey. And it’s super pretty too! Love the simple ingredient list!
[Reply]
Gah those cherries look amazing!
[Reply]
Just pulled mine out of the oven. I had to make it it as soon as I saw this recipe. My husband went a little crazy at the cherry truck yesterday… perfect way to use them! Thanks.
[Reply]
I love those cherries. I had forgotten the name but they were my grandmother’s favorite. We always had them as a special treat when we visited.
[Reply]
OMG nom nom nom… that looks so delectable! I wish I had a slice infront of me right now ;)
[Reply]
As a Seattle transplant it is amazing to me that cherries grow on a tree right outside my window!! And they are totally edible!! hmmmm
[Reply]
I have been reading your blog for just over a year now after coming across it accidentally. Best accident ever! We live in Canada on Vancouver Island & when you announced were moving to Seattle I became so excited for the adventures I knew would come. Being just a short ferry ride away we love venturing to Seattle, so many amazing vegetarian choices, incredible markets and the city is beautiful. Cherries was one of our favorite things about living on the west coast. I can’t wait to try this recipe! Here in Victoria we are lucky to have great vegetarian restaurants, farmers markets all over the city every weekend and share the beautiful scenery you see there in Seattle! Come visit! You will not be disappointed! Enjoy your new adventure!
PS…. Paseo (two locations in Seattle) make a mean tofu sandwich you must try! Watch out for the line up – meat eaters flock there too for amazing pork sandwiches. Enjoy! Can’t wait to hear about your next tasty creation, Canada loves your blog – keep doing the amazing things you do!
[Reply]
Those look AMAZING! They will be perfect for the cherries that I picked up in Door County this weekend. And I ‘stole’ a cherry pitter from my mom last weekend!
[Reply]
This cake is so good! I made it last night and it was a huge hit. Thanks for the creative recipe.
[Reply]
Made this last night and it was soo yum! I just was wondering mine came out a little mushy maybe a little water from the cherries..is that normal? either way it was delish!
[Reply]
I just pulled this out of the oven, it is amazing!! I can’t wait to try it subbing cherries and chocolate for cinnamon and raisins. Do you think I could sub 1/4 cup of the white flour for oat flour?
[Reply]
I made a slightly modified version of this and loved it so much I blogged about it. Thanks for the recipe! Scrumptious! http://www.brittanyspantry.blogspot.com
[Reply]
“I had no idea a cherry could taste so good until I got to the Pacific Northwest. And there are so many TYPES of cherries! My personal favorites are the Rainier cherries (above), but there is definitely an option for everyone. ”
Oh god, yes, I just discovered this yesterday. I don’t like cherries. Well I didn’t think I did anyway. But I’m in Vancouver now, after living in the midwest most of my life, and oh my! They’re delicious. I’d never seen anything but dark red ones, too, so you can imagine my surprise when I saw yellow and light red mixed ones. Crazy, but delicious.
[Reply]
Wow this looks absolutely amazing. I’ve been vegan for about three weeks and I’m loving all of your recipes! Thanks for the ideas!
[Reply]
I just made this yesterday – delicious!! The only change I made was using GF baking mix in place of the flours, but it turned out perfectly!!
Defintely a keeper (:
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
August 1st, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Yum – glad it was a hit! :)
[Reply]
I just made this…took one bite….& I may just set up shop in front of my oven, scarfing straight out of the pan before my husband even gets a chance to make his way into the kitchen…
[Reply]
I couldn’t wait to make this recipe. When I finally did, the batter was much runnier and it took longer to bake. Is the flour measurement right?
[Reply]
Leave a comment