Thunderstorm cake with sour cherries

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## 🧑‍🍳 Ingredients for Thunderstorm Cake with Sour Cherries

To create this delicious treat, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that come together beautifully. Here’s what you’ll need for the cake:

### For the Cake:
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup milk
– 1/2 cup sour cream (for added moisture)
– 1/2 cup warm water
– 1 cup sour cherries (fresh or preserved, drained if using jarred)

### For the Topping (Optional but Recommended):
– Powdered sugar for dusting
– A few extra sour cherries for decoration
– A drizzle of melted chocolate (if desired)

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## 🥄 How to Make Thunderstorm Cake with Sour Cherries

### Step 1: **Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan**
Preheat your oven to **350°F (175°C)**. Grease and flour an 8-inch round or square baking pan, or line it with parchment paper to make removing the cake easier later on.

### Step 2: **Mix the Dry Ingredients**
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the **flour**, **cocoa powder**, **baking powder**, **baking soda**, and **salt**. Set aside.

### Step 3: **Cream the Butter and Sugar**
In a large bowl, beat the **butter** and **granulated sugar** together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3–4 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed.

### Step 4: **Add the Eggs and Vanilla**
Add the **eggs**, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the **vanilla extract**.

### Step 5: **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**
Now, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture. Start with half of the dry ingredients, followed by half of the **milk** and **sour cream**. Mix until just combined, then repeat with the rest of the dry ingredients and wet ingredients. Be careful not to overmix.

### Step 6: **Add the Sour Cherries**
Fold in the **sour cherries** gently. If using fresh cherries, be sure to pit them before adding them to the batter. If using jarred or frozen cherries, make sure they’re well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the batter.

### Step 7: **Bake**
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for about **30–35 minutes**, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Keep an eye on the cake near the end of the baking time to ensure it doesn’t overbake.

### Step 8: **Cool and Serve**
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, **dust with powdered sugar** or drizzle with melted chocolate for a touch of elegance.

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## 🌟 Why You’ll Love This Thunderstorm Cake

– **Perfect balance of sweet and tart**: The sour cherries create a wonderful contrast to the rich, chocolatey cake base, making every bite a burst of flavor.
– **Moist and tender texture**: The addition of sour cream and milk ensures that this cake is **soft** and **moist**, without being too heavy.
– **Versatile topping options**: Dusting with powdered sugar gives the cake a classic, delicate finish, while a chocolate drizzle adds a touch of indulgence.
– **Great for any occasion**: Whether you’re celebrating a special event, baking for a casual get-together, or simply treating yourself, this Thunderstorm Cake is sure to be a hit.

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## 🌧️ Final Thoughts: A Storm of Flavors You’ll Love

Thunderstorm Cake with Sour Cherries is the perfect dessert to brighten up any occasion. Its rich chocolate base, paired with the tartness of the cherries, creates a flavor combination that’s out of this world. The cake is moist, tender, and easy to make, and the optional chocolate drizzle or powdered sugar adds just the right finishing touch.

This cake is truly a **delightful treat** that will make your taste buds dance with joy. So, the next time you crave something sweet and a little different, try this Thunderstorm Cake — it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

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Would you like more ideas for fruit-based desserts or need tips on other baking recipes? Let me know!