Chocolate cherry skull cakes are dramatically stunning individual desserts that combine the rich, luxurious pairing of dark chocolate and tart cherries with an eye-catching skull-shaped presentation perfect for Halloween, gothic celebrations, or any occasion that calls for theatrical desserts. These sophisticated treats feature moist chocolate cake infused with cherry preserves and topped with glossy chocolate ganache, all molded into detailed skull shapes that are as impressive to display as they are delicious to devour. Unlike ordinary Halloween treats that rely on artificial colors and simple decorations, these skull cakes showcase the natural elegance of chocolate and cherry flavors while delivering genuine bakery-quality results. Perfect for adult Halloween parties, Day of the Dead celebrations, horror movie marathons, or anytime you want to serve desserts that make a bold statement, these chocolate cherry skull cakes offer the perfect balance of sophisticated flavor and dramatic presentation.
Serves: 12 people (makes 12 individual skull cakes)
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Baking Time: 25 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Assembly Time: 30 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cherry Cake:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup strong black coffee, cooled
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ cup cherry preserves
For the Ganache and Decoration:
14. 12 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa), finely chopped
15. 1 cup heavy cream
16. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
17. 1 tablespoon corn syrup
18. ½ cup dried cherries, chopped
19. Edible silver dust
20. Red gel food coloring
21. Black cocoa powder for dusting
Preparing the Skull Molds
Generously grease 12 individual skull-shaped silicone molds with butter or baking spray, ensuring you reach into all the detailed crevices for easy release later. Dust the molds lightly with cocoa powder, tapping out excess, which will help create clean, detailed impressions while adding extra chocolate flavor to the exterior of the cakes.
Creating the Rich Chocolate Base
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until completely combined and no lumps remain. The mixture should be uniformly dark brown and well-blended throughout.
Mixing the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs lightly, then whisk in buttermilk, cooled coffee, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth and well combined. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without making the cakes taste like coffee, while the almond extract complements the cherry flavors beautifully.
Combining for Perfect Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the cherry preserves, creating lovely ribbons of fruit throughout the batter. The batter will be relatively thin, which creates incredibly moist cakes with tender crumb.
Filling and Baking the Skulls
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared skull molds, filling each about three-quarters full to allow for rising. Tap the molds gently on the counter to release any air bubbles and ensure the batter reaches into all the detailed areas of the skull design.
Baking to Perfection
Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the thickest part comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. The cakes should spring back lightly when touched and begin to pull slightly from the edges of the molds. Be careful not to overbake, as this can result in dry cakes.
Cooling and Unmolding
Allow the cakes to cool in the molds for 15 minutes before carefully inverting onto wire racks. The silicone molds should release the detailed skull shapes cleanly. Cool completely before proceeding with the ganache coating, as warm cakes will melt the chocolate.
Creating the Luxurious Ganache
Place the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer around the edges. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk from the center outward until smooth and glossy. Stir in the butter and corn syrup for extra shine and smoothness.
Coating the Skull Cakes
Working with one cake at a time, place each skull on a wire rack set over parchment paper to catch drips. Pour the warm ganache over each skull, using a spoon to guide the chocolate into all the detailed crevices and ensure complete coverage. The ganache should coat smoothly and evenly.
Adding Gothic Details
While the ganache is still slightly warm but beginning to set, press small pieces of chopped dried cherries into the eye sockets and around decorative areas for realistic texture and color contrast. Use a fine brush to dust certain areas with edible silver dust for an aged, metallic appearance.
Creating Blood-Red Accents
Mix a small amount of red gel food coloring with a tiny bit of corn syrup to create “blood” accents. Use a fine brush or toothpick to add dramatic red details in the eye sockets, around the mouth area, or dripping from various points for a truly gothic effect.
Final Chilling and Setting
Refrigerate the completed skull cakes for at least 2 hours to allow the ganache to set completely and achieve the perfect glossy finish. The cakes should be firm to the touch but not rock-hard when properly chilled.
Dramatic Presentation
Arrange the finished skull cakes on a dark serving platter or individual plates, dusting the presentation area lightly with black cocoa powder for an atmospheric effect. The contrast between the dark chocolate skulls and any lighter serving pieces creates maximum visual impact.
Nutritional Information
Each chocolate cherry skull cake contains approximately 420-460 calories, making them a rich and satisfying dessert perfect for special occasions. The cakes provide about 6-8 grams of protein from eggs and dairy, 52-58 grams of carbohydrates from flour and sugars, and 22-26 grams of fat primarily from chocolate and oil. The dark chocolate contributes beneficial antioxidants along with indulgent flavor.
Health Benefits
While these are definitely special occasion treats, they offer some nutritional benefits from their premium ingredients. Dark chocolate with 70% cocoa content is rich in flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that may support heart health, improve brain function, and reduce inflammation. Cherries provide vitamin C for immune support, antioxidants called anthocyanins that give them their red color, and compounds that may help reduce inflammation and support recovery. The eggs contribute complete protein and choline for brain health, while buttermilk adds probiotics that may support digestive wellness. The individual portion size encourages mindful enjoyment of this decadent dessert.
Tips for the Best Results
Use high-quality dark chocolate for the ganache, as it’s the star of the show and greatly impacts the final flavor. Silicone skull molds work best for detailed impressions and easy release, but metal molds can work with extra greasing. The ganache should be just warm enough to pour smoothly but not so hot that it runs off the cakes completely. These cakes can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator, bringing them to room temperature 30 minutes before serving for the best texture. For extra drama, serve on dry ice (safely contained) for a spooky fog effect, or under dim lighting to enhance the gothic atmosphere. The cakes freeze well for up to 3 months when wrapped individually after the ganache has set.
