Can I use homemade cherry pie filling?

Absolutely. Homemade cherry filling gives you control over the sweetness and texture, and fresh cherries taste incredible. Use about 2–2 ½ cups.

Can I make this cake without almond extract?

Yes! Replace it with vanilla extract or simply leave it out. However, almond pairs so well with cherries, it’s worth trying if you have it.

What if I only have a different size pan?

You can use two 8-inch rounds; just adjust the baking time and check for doneness starting at the 20-minute mark.

Is it possible to make this cake dairy-free?

Yes—you’ll just need a dairy-free cake mix and frosting, which are available in most stores, and double-check your cherry pie filling for any hidden dairy.

Chocolate Cherry Cake Recipe

Description

This Chocolate Cherry Cake is a supremely easy and moist dessert featuring a rich chocolate cake base combined with cherry pie filling for juicy fruit flavor in every bite. Finished with a luscious layer of chocolate frosting, this cake is perfect for family gatherings or potlucks, delivering decadent taste with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Base

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 large egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
21 ounces cherry pie filling

Frosting

1 tub chocolate frosting or 2 cups of homemade frosting

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Instructions

Prepare the Baking Pan Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and preheat your oven to 350ºF to ensure the cake bakes evenly and releases easily.
Mix the Batter In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to combine the chocolate cake mix, egg, and almond extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. The mixture will resemble coarse crumbs.
Add Cherry Pie Filling Pour in the cherry pie filling and mix well until everything is fully incorporated and the batter is thick and moist.
Pour into Pan Transfer the prepared batter into the greased baking pan and spread it out evenly for uniform baking.
Bake the Cake Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is done.
Cool and Frost Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, spread chocolate frosting evenly over the top.
Store Store the cake at room temperature, covered, to maintain freshness.

Notes

The calories shown are for unfrosted cake, sliced into 15 servings.
Different brands of ingredients may affect nutritional values.
This cake tastes great with either store-bought or homemade chocolate frosting.
Consult a nutritionist for precise dietary information if needed.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (unfrosted, based on 15 slices)
Calories: (estimated) 190
Sugar: (estimated, cake only) 22g
Sodium: (estimated, cake only) 260mg
Fat: (estimated, cake only) 4g
Saturated Fat: (estimated, cake only) 1g
Unsaturated Fat: (estimated, cake only) 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: (estimated, cake only) 38g
Fiber: (estimated, cake only) 1g
Protein: (estimated, cake only) 2g
Cholesterol: (estimated, cake only) 18mg