Dark Chocolate Red Wine Cake with Red Wine Raspberry Sauce
Think of a cozy night, maybe with a fireplace going. That’s the feeling this dark chocolate red wine cake gives you. It’s a rich dark chocolate cake, almost sinful, and it’s soaked in a sweet red wine raspberry sauce.
Between the layers of this cake is a surprise of sweet raspberry preserves. Then, the whole thing is covered in a thick sauce made with red wine and fresh raspberries. Each bite is a mix of rich chocolate and bright, juicy fruit, making you feel all warm and comfortable inside.
recipe highlights
When I think of comfort foods, I immediately go to chocolate. Chocolate is probably my comfort food of choice, though I have plenty of other favorites too. Raspberries compliment the chocolate and add a little more to this comforting cake. And wine, wine certainly brings on the feeling of comfort.
This Dark Chocolate Red Wine Cake got rave reviews and several requests for it to make an appearance again for the holidays. I think I will oblige.
ingredients and substitutions
Get the full ingredient list and full instructions in the printable recipe card below.
Please note: Making changes to any recipe as written can result in a recipe failure.
Any substitutions or variations listed are simple or tried and true changes that we think will work in this recipe.
Results are not guaranteed.
tips & tricks
- Read the whole recipe. It’s a good idea to read the recipe from start to finish before you even get your ingredients out. This helps you know what’s coming next.
- Get ingredients to the right temperature. Many recipes ask for things like butter and eggs to be at room temperature. This helps them mix together better, giving you a smoother cake.
- Measure carefully. Baking is all about being exact. Use the right measuring cups for dry and liquid ingredients, and try not to pack down the flour.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Once you add the dry stuff to the wet stuff, you should only mix until they are just combined. Mixing too much can make your cake tough.
- Prepare your pans. Grease and flour your cake pans so the cake doesn’t stick. You can also use a piece of parchment paper on the bottom for an even easier time getting the cake out.
- Preheat the oven. Make sure your oven is hot and ready before you put the cake in. You can even use a little oven thermometer to check that the temperature is right.
- Don’t open the oven door! It’s tempting to peek, but opening the door lets the heat out and can make your cake fall flat. Wait until the very end to check on it.
- Test for doneness. The easiest way to know if your cake is done is to poke a toothpick or a thin skewer into the middle. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs on it, the cake is ready.
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Let’s Make Dark Chocolate Red Wine Cake with Red Wine Raspberry Sauce
Printable recipe card is below the photo.
PLEASE NOTE:
While we have provided a jump to recipe button, please note that by skipping the copy, you are missing useful information on ingredients and techniques, substitutions, frequently asked questions with responses, tips and a lot more information that might be useful for troubleshooting or making the recipe.
Dark Chocolate Red Wine Cake with Red Wine Raspberry Sauce
Ingredients
For the Red Wine Chocolate Cake:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- ¾ cup dark cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup red wine
- ½ cup light olive oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For between the Layers:
- Red Raspberry Preserves
For the Ganache:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 12 ounces Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup this makes the ganache shiny
For the Red Wine Raspberry Sauce:
- 2 cups fresh raspberries
- ¾ – 1 cup granulated sugar to taste
- 1 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine
Instructions
For the Red Wine Chocolate Cake:
- Sift all the dry ingredients together. Add the liquid ingredients and mix well.
- Pour batter into two prepared 8" round pans.
- Bake at 350 for about 25-28 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
For between the Layers:
- Once the cake is cooled completely, spread raspberry preserves on the top of one 8" round. Place the other 8" round on top.
For the Ganache:
- In a pan over medium heat, add the chocolate and cream and stir until melted and combined. Stir constantly. Add the corn syrup and mix until combined.
- Remove from heat. Allow to cool about 5-10 minutes (ganache will thicken as it cools and become easier to spread and stay neat). Spread ganache around entire cake.
For the Red Wine Raspberry Sauce:
- Combine the raspberries and sugar in a small saucepan, mashing the raspberries a bit. Bring to a boil then turn down to a simmer and add the lemon juice.
- Simmer for 3 minutes then add in the Cabernet Sauvignon. Continue to simmer for 1 minute.
- When ready to serve a slice of cake, spoon the Red Wine Raspberry Sauce onto the place. Set a slice of cake right into it and spoon more over the cake if desired.
This is thee perfect comfort food dessert as far as I’m concerned. I just love the combination of dark chocolate and red wine.
Thank you so much Renee, it was fantastic! Chocolate really is my favorite comfort food!
What a gorgeous cake! The moist buttermilk chocolate base, the amazing ganache and the raspberry red wine sauce all combine for an exquisite dining experience!
Thank you Liz, this cake turned out so much better than I had thought.
Wine, and chocolate? The PERFECT comfort dish!
I’m with ya Nichole! Thank you!
Yes yes yes – chocolate and red wine are a match made in comfort food heaven!
Well your mom said it was, so as far as I’m concerned it’s literally the perfect comfort food! :p hahah Thank girl! 🙂 xoxo
Wow! Your cake looks beautiful and so light and rich! I love, love, love it!
Thank you so much Jennifer. It was pretty amazing!
Look’s delicious, would love this while sitting in front of the fireplace.
I think that could be arranged my love. 🙂
Oh my goodness – this looks so decadent and delicious. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you my sweet friend. I was so excited about how the cake turned out, I wasn’t sure about the photos, but I am definitely thrilled with the results of both. 😉 xoxo
Chocolate and red wine go perfectly together, yum!
Do they ever Shaina! Thank you!
I’m sold! Now just need an excuse!
No excuse needed. Just say “I really just need some comfort” and there you go. 🙂 haha
Red wine and chocolate make the ultimate comfort food!! Nicole, your cake looks divine! I want to take a dive right into that raspberry sauce!!
Dive right in, I had considered it a few times 😉 haha Thank you!
Your cake is gorgeous! And what delicious flavors with the chocolate, raspberries and red wine…yum!!
It really was a pleasant melding of delicious flavors. They all go so well together. Thanks Alida!
Gorgeous Nicole! My mouth won’t stop watering!
Thank you Cindy. Wish I could share a piece through the computer with you.
You are SCREAMING my comfort foods with this gorgeous cake. Chocolate and Gallo Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon are the BEST!!!
Desserts are most definitely REQUIRED when it comes to comfort foods. Am I right? xoxo
Love the dark chocolate decadence!
Thank you so much Brianne! 🙂
That cake is not simply whispering in my ear, but shouting at me to take a bite. It looks truly magnificent. I’ll be right over, and it better not be all gone!
Trust me I heard it loud and clear screaming at me from the cake stand. I was dying to dig in! So good and so worth the wait. I’ll save you a piece when you arrive. 😉