Cherry Chocolate Cake is a simple but tasty dessert that brings together chocolate and cherries in one easy recipe. If you've ever wanted to jazz up a boxed cake mix, this is a great way to do it. By adding cherry pie filling to the batter, you get a moist cake with a fruity twist.
The homemade chocolate frosting might sound fancy, but it's actually quick to make. It gives the cake a rich, shiny topping that looks great. And with extra cherry filling to spoon over each slice, you get double the cherry flavor.
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🗝️ Recipe's key points
- This Cherry Chocolate Cake transforms a basic boxed mix into something special with just a few extra ingredients.
- The recipe is quick and easy, perfect for when you need a dessert in a hurry.
- The homemade chocolate frosting adds a rich touch without much extra effort.
This cake hits the spot with its mix of chocolate and cherries. It's straightforward enough for beginners but tasty enough to satisfy experienced bakers too.
🛒 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
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- Chocolate cake mix - a regular-size box is the base of this recipe.
- Eggs - you'll need 3 large eggs at room temperature.
- Almond extract - adds a subtle nutty flavor that complements the cherries.
- Cherry pie filling - 2 cans are used, one for the cake and one for topping.
- Sugar - for the frosting.
- Butter - also for the frosting.
- Milk - helps create a smooth frosting.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips - melted into the frosting for rich chocolate flavor.
🗒 Instructions
This is an overview of the cherry chocolate cake recipe instructions. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 13x9-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, pour the chocolate cake mix, lightly beaten eggs, and almond extract.
- Mix the wet and dry ingredients together until well blended.
- Open one can of cherry pie filling and add it to the batter. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes. To check if it's done, insert a toothpick into the center - it should come out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, and milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
- Remove from the heat and add the chocolate chips to the butter mixture.
- Stir gently to melt the chocolate.
- Make sure all of the chocolate chips have melted.
- Pour the warm frosting over the cooled cake.
- Spread the frosting over the chocolate cherry cake evenly.
- When serving, top each slice with a bit of extra cherry pie filling for the perfect finishing touch.
🥫 Storage
Chocolate cherry cake should be stored in an airtight container or a cake keeper at room temperature. It will keep for 3-4 days.
📚 Variations
- Different fruit: Try using blueberry or strawberry pie filling instead of cherry for a different fruity twist.
- Cream cheese frosting: Replace the chocolate frosting with a simple cream cheese frosting for a tangy contrast to the sweet cherries.
- Layered cake: Bake the cake in two 9-inch round pans instead of a 13x9-inch pan. Once cooled, spread cherry filling between the layers before frosting.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- For the best texture, make sure your eggs are at room temperature before mixing them into the batter. This helps them blend more evenly with the other ingredients.
- When adding the cherry pie filling to the batter, fold it in gently. This will help maintain some cherry chunks in the cake for added texture and flavor bursts.
- Don't overbake the cake. Start checking it a few minutes before the suggested baking time. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.
- For the frosting, have all ingredients measured and ready before you start. The process goes quickly once you begin, and you don't want the sugar mixture to burn while you're measuring chocolate chips.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. If you frost a warm cake, the icing might melt and run off the sides.
🤔 FAQs
While fresh cherries are delicious, they won't work as well in this recipe. The pie filling provides sweetness and moisture that fresh cherries can't. If you want to use fresh cherries, you'd need to cook them down with sugar to create a similar consistency.
This Cherry Chocolate Cake is simpler and quicker to make. A traditional Black Forest Cake is made with layers of chocolate sponge cake, whipped cream, and cherries. It often includes kirsch, which is a cherry liqueur. Our recipe is more of a quick, semi-homemade version inspired by those flavors.
Yes, you can make this cake a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, but bring it to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
You can substitute vanilla extract, or simply omit it. The almond flavor complements the cherries nicely, but the cake will still be delicious without it.
📗 Related Recipes
Chocolate lovers will go crazy for these other chocolatey recipes:
🍽 What to serve with Cherry Chocolate Cake
I love to serve this cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, Irish Cream, or a dollop of fresh whipped cream! It also goes great with a cup of hot coffee or a glass of cold milk.
🔪 All Our Way recommends the following
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- 13x9-inch baking pan
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer (stand or hand-held)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- Small saucepan
- Whisk or spoon for stirring frosting
- Cooling rack
- Can opener
- Oven mitts
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
Can you imagine how amazing your cucina (kitchen) will smell while this Chocolate Cherry Cake is baking? It's the kind of dolce (dessert) that brings everyone together. Whether it's for a big celebration or a cozy evening at home, it’s perfect. I love how easy it is to make. Honestly, it's almost magical how a cake mix and cherry pie filling can turn into such a rich and tasty treat. And let's talk about that ganache! it's like the cherry on top (pun intended), giving the torta (cake) that glossy, indulgent finish.
This recipe is close to my heart. It's been a part of so many family gatherings. It's one of those desserts always met with big smiles and eager forchette (forks). If you want a dessert that's impressive and easy to make, this is the one for you.
Buon appetito and buona cottura (happy baking).
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📖 Recipe
Decadent Cherry Chocolate Cake With Ganache: A Family Classic
Ingredients
- 1 package chocolate cake mix regular size
- 3 large eggs room temperature, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cans 20 ounces each cherry pie filling, divided
- FROSTING:
- 1 cup sugar
- 5 Tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup milk
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs and extract until well blended. Stir in one can of pie filling until blended. Transfer to a 13x9-in. greased and floured baking pan.
- Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, and milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat; stir in the package of chocolate pieces until melted and smooth.
- Spread over cake.
- Top individual servings with remaining pie filling.
Notes
Nutrition
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