Cherries in Snow: The Ultimate Ukrainian Chocolate Cherry Cake with Whipped Cream & Dulce de Leche

Prepare to be enchanted by the “Cherries in Snow” cake, known in Ukrainian as “Veshne Na Cnegoo.” This isn’t just any chocolate cherry cake; it’s a culinary masterpiece that marries rich, moist chocolate layers with the delightful tang of sour cherries, all crowned with a delicate, cloud-like whipped cream frosting. The name itself, “Cherries in Snow,” perfectly captures its visual appeal, as the scattered cake crumbs on top truly resemble freshly fallen snowflakes. While perfect for any time of year, it’s an especially wonderful way to utilize those preserved sour cherries in syrup, bringing a taste of authentic European tradition right to your kitchen.

This chocolate cake with cherries is renowned for its incredible moisture and profoundly satisfying flavor. Its balance of sweet and tart makes it utterly irresistible. If you’re looking for a slightly healthier twist on your chocolate cake adventures, you might also enjoy exploring our Whole Wheat Chocolate Cake Recipe.

The Heart of Ukrainian Dessert Tradition: Cherries in Snow Cake

The Cherries in Snow cake, or Veshne Na Cnegoo, is a testament to the elegant simplicity and exquisite flavor profiles found in Eastern European baking. Unlike many Western desserts that often lean heavily on intensely sweet buttercreams, Ukrainian cakes, like this chocolate cherry delight, typically offer a more nuanced sweetness. Our traditional recipes often feature lighter, tangier toppings such as sour cream-based or subtly sweetened whipped cream frostings. This approach allows the natural flavors of fruits, especially tart ones like sour cherries, to truly shine without being overshadowed by excessive sugar.

The harmonious interplay of sweet and sour is a hallmark of this scrumptious dessert. Imagine a rich, deep chocolate cake providing the perfect canvas, while the vibrant, tart sour cherries cut through the sweetness, offering bursts of refreshing flavor in every bite. This is all beautifully complemented by a light cream frosting and, to truly elevate it, a luxurious drizzle of dulce de leche, adding a caramel-like depth that rounds out the entire experience.

A Beloved Cake for All Occasions

This particular chocolate cherry cake recipe holds a cherished place within Russian and Ukrainian communities. It’s a dessert that evokes fond memories of family gatherings, festive celebrations, and special occasions. I’ve personally seen this magnificent cake gracing the tables at numerous weddings, anniversaries, and holiday feasts. Its elegance and unique flavor profile make it a consistent crowd-pleaser.

There’s a local baker in my community who bakes this cake for orders, and it sells out remarkably fast. Its enduring popularity speaks volumes about its irresistible charm. The good news? You don’t need to pay a premium to enjoy this classic. With this recipe, you can effortlessly recreate this beloved chocolate cherry cake at home for a mere fraction of the cost, making it accessible for everyone to enjoy its traditional taste and festive appearance.

Essential Equipment for Baking Your Chocolate Cherry Cake

Having the right tools can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable baking process. Here’s what you’ll need to bring your Cherries in Snow cake to life:

• 10×15 jelly roll pan or two standard 9-inch round cake pans: Essential for baking your cake layers evenly. A jelly roll pan is ideal for the sheet cake style often used in this recipe, allowing for easy splitting.
• Electric Mixer: A stand mixer or a good hand mixer will be invaluable for beating eggs and sugar to achieve the perfect volume and for whipping the cream frosting to fluffy peaks.
• Fine Sieve: Crucial for sifting your dry ingredients like flour and cocoa powder, preventing lumps and ensuring a light, airy cake texture.
• Piping Bag (or quart-sized freezer bag): Useful for neatly drizzling the dulce de leche and adding decorative touches with the frosting. A freezer bag with a corner snipped off works just as well in a pinch!
• Mixing Bowls: A variety of sizes will be needed for preparing your cake batter, frosting, and combining other ingredients.

Key Ingredients for an Authentic Chocolate Cherry Cake

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role in creating the unique flavor and texture of the Cherries in Snow cake. Sourcing quality ingredients will truly elevate your final product.

• Chocolate Cake Layers: The foundation of our cake. You’ll need all-purpose flour for structure, rich cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor, sweetened condensed milk for moisture and subtle sweetness, sour cream for tenderness and a delicate tang, baking soda for lift, fresh eggs for binding and richness, and granulated sugar for sweetness. The combination of sour cream and baking soda creates a beautifully moist and tender crumb.
• Cream Frosting: This isn’t your typical heavy buttercream. Our light and airy whipped cream frosting is made from high-quality heavy cream, finely ground caster sugar for smooth sweetness, a touch of sour cream for a hint of tang and stability, and whipped topping (like Cool Whip) for extra lightness and ease. This combination results in a frosting that is refreshing and complements the cake perfectly without overwhelming it.
• Sour Cherries: The star of the show! It’s crucial to use dark, pitted sour cherries packed in juice, not pie filling or maraschino cherries. The tartness of these cherries is essential for balancing the sweetness of the cake and frosting. You can often find them in glass jars at European supermarkets, specialty stores, or seasonally at places like Aldi. Amazon is also a reliable source for these specific cherries. The juice from the jar will also be used to moisten the cake layers.
• Dulce De Leche: This luscious caramel-like sauce is the secret ingredient that takes this chocolate cherry cake over the top. Its rich, deep caramel flavor and creamy texture provide a wonderful counterpoint to the tart cherries and chocolate. You can easily find dulce de leche in the international or Mexican aisles of most supermarkets, or for a truly homemade touch, consider learning how to make your own. It adds a layer of sophistication and indulgence that makes this cake unforgettable.

Crafting Your Cherries in Snow: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these detailed steps to create your own beautiful and delicious Ukrainian Chocolate Cherry Cake.

1. Prepare the Chocolate Cake Layers: Begin by beating the eggs and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes thick, pale, and significantly increased in volume. This step is crucial for an airy cake. Then, carefully fold in the sweetened condensed milk, followed by the sour cream in which the baking soda has been dissolved. Mix until just combined. Finally, gently sift in the all-purpose flour and cocoa powder, whisking lightly in one direction until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated without overmixing.
2. Bake the Cake: Pour the prepared batter into a greased 10×15-inch jelly roll pan. Ensure it’s spread evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before proceeding.
3. Make the Cream Frosting: In a clean mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream and caster sugar until soft, billowy peaks form. Gently fold in the sour cream until well combined, then incorporate the thawed Cool Whip just until the mixture is uniform and smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this can cause the frosting to become too stiff. Set the finished frosting aside in the refrigerator to keep it firm.
4. Prepare the Cake for Assembly: Once the chocolate cake layer is completely cool, carefully trim the edges. These trimmed edges are valuable, so crumble them finely and set them aside; they will be used later for garnishing your cake, creating the signature “snow” effect. Now, carefully cut the cake horizontally into two equal layers. A long serrated knife works best for this.
5. Assemble the Cherries in Snow Cake: Place one of the halved cake layers onto your chosen serving plate or platter. Using a pastry brush, liberally moisten this cake layer with 3-4 tablespoons of the tart juice from your canned sour cherries. This step adds additional moisture and infuses the cake with even more cherry flavor. Evenly spread about 1/3 cup of the pitted sour cherries over the cake layer. Drizzle about 4 ounces of the rich dulce de leche over the cherries, creating ribbons of caramel goodness. Finally, spread a generous layer (about 1/3 to 1/2) of your prepared cream frosting over the cherries and dulce de leche.
6. Add the Second Layer and Finish: Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the first. Repeat the soaking, cherry topping, dulce de leche drizzle, and frosting application steps. Once both layers are assembled and frosted on top, use any remaining frosting to lightly coat the sides of the cake.
7. Garnish and Serve: Take the reserved cake crumbs and sprinkle them generously over the top and sides of the cake. This creates the beautiful “snow” effect that gives the cake its charming name. For an extra touch, you can arrange a few more pitted sour cherries on top as a vibrant garnish. Allow the cake to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour to set the frosting and allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Then, slice and serve this exquisite Cherries in Snow cake to your eager guests!

Baking for a Crowd: Maximizing Your Chocolate Cherry Cake Output

This Cherries in Snow cake is so popular that you might find yourself needing to bake a larger batch, especially when entertaining or preparing for a big family event. I’ve discovered a highly efficient method for doubling the recipe that yields a fantastic quantity without extra hassle. Simply double all the ingredient quantities for both the cake and the frosting, and pour the entire cake batter into a larger 21×15-inch pan.

Once baked and cooled, you can trim the edges (reserving them for the crumb decoration, of course) and then cut the large sheet cake into four equal pieces. This ingenious technique results in two complete, two-layered cakes! This is a fantastic strategy for several reasons: you can serve one cake immediately and freeze the other for later. Having extra cake layers stashed away is a lifesaver for unexpected guests, spontaneous celebrations, or simply when a craving strikes.

Interestingly, the single frosting recipe provided is quite generous. Even when doubling the cake batter, a single batch of frosting is often sufficient to generously frost both resulting two-layered cakes, or it provides an exceptionally lush amount for one standard-sized cake. This method isn’t just for home bakers; it’s a game-changer for professional cake sellers or anyone who frequently bakes for large orders, making the process smoother and more economical.