DESSERT – An Expression of Love
February 9, 2026 | Author Friend Promo, Cooking
from Sharon Ledwith
This dessert is a real crowd pleaser at small gatherings such as Valentine’s Day dinner, book clubs or intimate bridal and baby showers. This chocolatey, sweet treat will tempt even the most disciplined of us. If cherry is your go-to fruit that makes your mouth think you’ve swallowed a piece of heaven, then read on if you dare to concoct this sinful chunk of bliss.
CHOCOLATE CHERRY CHUNK LOAF
A bit of butter for greasing the loaf pan
1¼ cups + 1 tsp. all-purpose flour
¼ cup cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
¾ cup granulated or caster sugar
1 cup cherry yogurt
3 large eggs lightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
½ cup mild vegetable oil
1 cup cherries
¼ cup sweet chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts, chopped, use less if you prefer
Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C or 165° for fan ovens, Gas Mark 4).
Grease a 2 lb. (8 ½ x 4 ¼ x 2 ½ inch) loaf pan.
Remove the pits from the cherries and cut each one in half. Place cherries in a small bowl, sprinkle the 1 teaspoon flour over top and toss gently.
Sift 1¼ cups flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl.
Stir in sugar, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Set dry ingredients aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, eggs, vanilla, and oil.
Add yogurt mixture to dry ingredients. Beat with a wooden spoon until all the flour is mixed in and the batter is smooth.
Gently fold in the flour-coated cherries.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 20 minutes, then remove cake and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
THE GLAZE
1 cup icing sugar, confectioner’s sugar
2 tbsp. maraschino cherry juice
1 tbsp. water
Drop of pink food coloring, optional
Pour icing sugar into a bowl. Whisk in maraschino cherry juice.
Gradually whisk in water, a drop or two at a time, until a smooth, drizzle-able consistency is reached.
Whisk in the food coloring, if using.
While you’re waiting on your loaf to bake and cool, how about taking a break by delving into one of my books? May I suggest a visit to Fairy Falls, or if you’re feeling really adventurous, a trip back in time with The Last Timekeepers? Whichever you choose, either series will entertain and engage, pulling you into another time and a different place.
Here’s a glimpse of the premises of both my young adult series:
Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls Teen Psychic Mysteries…
Welcome to Fairy Falls. Expect the unexpected.
Imagine a teenager possessing a psychic ability and struggling to cope with this freakish power while trying to have a normal life. Now, imagine being uprooted and forced to live in a small tourist town where nothing much ever happens. It’s bores-ville from the get-go.
The Last Timekeepers Time Travel Adventures…
Children are the keys to our future. And now, children are the only hope for our past.
Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers-legendary time travelers sworn to keep history from the evil Belial-five classmates are sent into the past to restore balance, and bring order back into the world, one mission at a time.
Buy Links:
The Last Timekeepers Time Travel Adventure Series:
The Last Timekeepers and the Noble Slave, Book 3
UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE
The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret, Book 2
UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, Book 1
UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE
Legend of the Timekeepers, Prequel
UNIVERSAL BUY LINK ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE
Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls Teen Psychic Mystery Series:
Lost & Found, Book One
PANDAMONIUM PUBLISHING HOUSE ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE
Blackflies & Blueberries, Book Two
PANDAMONIUM PUBLISHING HOUSE ׀ AMAZON ׀ BARNES & NOBLE
Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/young adult time travel adventure
series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, and the award-winning teen psychic mystery
series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, reading,
researching, or revising, she enjoys anything arcane, ancient mysteries, and
single malt scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern tourist
region of Ontario, Canada, with her spoiled hubby, and two shiny red e-bikes.
Learn more about Sharon Ledwith on her WEBSITE and BLOG. Look up her AMAZON
AUTHOR page for a list of current books. Stay connected on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, LINKEDIN, INSTAGRAM, and GOODREADS.
BONUS: Download the free PDF short story The Terrible, Mighty Crystal HERE
