Chocolate Cherry Beer Cake

Full disclosure, few desserts have been so popular with my family like this Chocolate Cherry Beer Cake. This easy-to-make cake brings together rich chocolate, sweet maraschino cherries, and a hint of beer, making it perfect for celebrations. It’s a unique chocolate treat that’s sure to impress guests at parties or holiday events.

If you enjoy this cake, you might also want to check out my Cherry Blueberry Pie and Black Cherry Jello Pie for more cherry desserts!

I found this recipe in my Aunt Lyd’s recipe card file, and it seemed so intriguing! Beer, maraschino cherries – in a chocolate cake. And it turned out to be a really delicious cake. Very moist with so many layers of flavor. The beer flavor comes first, but then you can taste the hint of cherry flavor, nuts, and of course chocolate! You can use any frosting, but I love the fudge frosting included in this recipe.

a slice of moist chocolate cherry beer cake with chocolate frosting

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Taste: Decadent chocolate flavor combined with sweet cherries. A combination you can’t beat.
Texture: This is an especially moist and tender cake thanks to the unique addition of beer.
So easy: Simple steps that lead to a perfect result every time.

Ingredients Needed

Sugar: I use granulated sugar.
Butter: Softened unsalted butter is what I am using.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs help create a smoother batter.
Unsweetened Chocolate: Ensure it’s melted properly and don’t heat it up too much.
Flour: Sifted it for a light texture; substitute with gluten-free flour if needed.
Baking Soda: Essential for the cake’s rise.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor; adjust to taste.
Buttermilk: Can be substituted with regular milk mixed with vinegar or lemon juice. Let the mix stand for 10 minutes and you made your own buttermilk.
Beer: Any light beer works. Don’t worry – it won’t make the cake taste like beer. It simply enhances the chocolate flavor.
Maraschino Cherries: Chopped for added sweetness; can be replaced with fresh cherries if preferred and in season.
Cherry Juice: Adds moisture; you can use juice from the cherry jar.
Pecans: Chopped; walnuts or almonds can be substituted.

How to Make Chocolate Cherry Cake

This Chocolate Cherry Beer Cake has such a rich flavor and is made with simple, yet unique ingredients. For the full printable recipe, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

butter being creamed with sugar in a mixing bowl

chocolate cake batter being mixed in a bowl.

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and melted chocolate and mix well.
Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with beer and buttermilk, mixing well after each addition, and ending with flour mixture. Beer will cause the batter to curdle slightly.
Mix in cherries and cherry juice; stir in nuts.
Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a tester inserted in the cake comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting.

chocolate chips being melted with sweetened condensed milk.

Cherry Chocolate sheet cake being iced with chocolate frosting

Place chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in the top of a double boiler over gently simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the frosting is smooth and glossy.
Spread over cooled cake. If the frosting becomes too stiff, return to heat until spreading consistency.

Helpful Tips

Make sure your butter is softened at room temperature too allow for easier mixing. Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before baking.
If your batter curdles slightly from the beer, don’t worry! It will bake perfectly!
Let the cake cool completely or the frosting will run off the sides.

Storage Information

Refrigerator: You can store any leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze the unfrosted cake for up to 3 months; wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Make Ahead: You can prepare the chocolate frosting a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

For a special occasion, I like to serve this with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
However, it’s great as it is and especially delicious alongside a cup of coffee or tea.

a fork taking a bite of frosted chocolate cherry beer cake.

Variations

You can substitute the cherries in this cake with other fruits like raspberries, strawberries or blueberries.
Use dark chocolate instead of unsweetened for an even richer more intense chocolate flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of chocolate?

Yes, you can use dark chocolate for a more intense flavor. White chocolate would also work.

Is it possible to make this cake without beer?

Yes, you can substitute beer with Coca-Cola for a similar texture.

Can I make the chocolate frosting ahead of time?

Absolutely! Just store it in the refrigerator and warm it up slightly before spreading.

More Cake Recipes to Try