Rich Dark Chocolate Cherry Bran Cake

Yes, bran cake.

You know how wonderfully sweet and dense bran muffins are? Just imagine that with dark chocolate, cherries, and a bit sweeter – it’s truly the cream of the crop when it comes to decadence. 
It’s over-the-top amazing…rich…soothing…and addicting!

Rich Dark Chocolate Cherry Bran Cake: ultra-rich (did I say that yet?) – the cake contains over 1 lb. dark chocolate, cherries galore, Cherry Preserves, and a mouthful of Cracklin’ Oat Bran. Yes. Yep. Uh-huh – my favorite cereal on earth!

 

 

Rich Dark Chocolate Cherry Bran Cake

 

Bran Cake:
2 cups sugar
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal, processed into fine crumbs
1/4 cup butter, room temperature, cut into small pieces
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1½ tsp. baking powder
1½ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sea salt
4 large eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1½ tsp. vanilla extract
1 lb. dark chocolate chunks
1 cup dried cherries
12 oz. Bonne Maman Cherry Preserves

 

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour three 6-inch pans and line with parchment paper.

Stir together all dry ingredients in a large bowl, in addition to the butter. Stir well enough so that the butter melts into beads – much like a biscuit dough.

Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla and beat on medium speed until well incorporated.

Fold in the dark chocolate chunks and dried cherries.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans to a wire rack and let to cool completely.

 

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
1 cup salted butter, room temperature (2 full sticks)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract

 

Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the butter until soft. Sift in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder and continue mixing. Add the cream and vanilla and beat until smooth.

 

Place the first layer of the cake on a cake plate. Spread a thin layer of Cherry Preserves on top in an even layer.

Add the second layer of cake, cover in Cherry Preserves, then the third layer on top, and frost the outside of the cake with the chocolate frosting.

 

Top with dried cherries and any extra chocolate frosting.