Chocolate Cherry Cake is a delicious, rich cake with a delectable chocolate glaze that comes together quickly utilizing a devil’s food boxed cake mix and cherry pie filling. With the delicious flavors of chocolate and cherry, this beauty is perfect for potlucks, holiday parties, and Valentine’s Day.
I will start by saying that this is not a made-from-scratch cake. However, it tastes as good or better than one. Sometimes, life calls for shortcuts. I am sure there are days when you could use a couple of clones of yourself. I know I could, and today is no exception to that idea. This Chocolate Cherry Cake utilizes a boxed devil’s food cake mix.
So if Junior asks you how much longer the earth can sustain the sun’s heat, and Princess is shoving paperwork from school up your nose, then maybe this beautiful, delectable cake is just what you need for that neighborhood gala you are supposed to attend this weekend.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Chocolate boxed cake mix: such as Duncan Hines Devil’s Food or Betty Crocker’s Triple Chocolate Fudge
- Cherry pie filling: if possible, purchase premium-quality cherry pie filling.
- Butter: salted or unsalted
- Chocolate chips: semisweet or dark chocolate. I like Ghirardelli or Guittard.
- Extracts: I use almond and vanilla extract, but you can use all of one or the other.
How to make Chocolate Cherry Cake
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
First, stir the cake mix, eggs, oil, and almond extract. Then, fold in your can of cherry pie filling. Then, pour the mixture into a greased bundt pan and bake. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
For the chocolate glaze, heat butter and corn syrup in the microwave. Add the chocolate chips and slowly heat, stirring well between each interval. Finally, drizzle over the cooled cake and garnish with maraschino cherries. For an over-the-top treat, serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Preparation tips
- Grease or spray your bundt pan with nonstick baking spray. I love Baker’s Joy, and it works well.
- If you convert this cake to a 9×13-inch pan, be careful not to fill the baking pan too high, and use chocolate frosting instead of a chocolate glaze.
- Cool the cake completely before drizzling it with the glaze.
- Because the cake contains cherries, once it’s completed, store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Also, store leftovers in the fridge.
More Cherry Recipes
Easy Chocolate Cherry Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box 15.25 ounce devils food cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 can 21 ounce cherry pie filling
Chocolate Glaze
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional Garnish maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a bundt pan with nonstick baking spray.
- In a large bowl, stir together cake mix, eggs, oil, and almond extract just until incorporated. Fold in cherries.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes and invert onto a cake plate. Cool cake completely; approximately 2 hours.
- In a microwavable bowl or Pyrex measuring cup, microwave the butter and corn syrup for 45 seconds at 50% power. Add chocolate chips and microwave for 45 seconds at 50% power. Remove from microwave and continue stirring until chips are melted. If necessary, microwave for 15-second intervals at 50% power until the chips are melted.
- Stir in the vanilla and drizzle over the cake. If desired, cut maraschino cherries in half and arrange them on top of the cake or at the base of the cake.
Video
Notes
- Grease well or spray your bundt pan with nonstick baking spray. I use Baker’s Joy. I love it, and it works well.
- If you convert this cake to a 9×13-inch pan, be careful not to fill the baking pan too high and switch to a chocolate frosting instead of a chocolate glaze.
- Cool the cake completely before drizzling it with the glaze.
- Because the cake has cherries in it, once completed, store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator as well.
Nutrition
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Candie
I’m a chocolate lover, and that cake is making my mouth water! I adore how the cherries give it such a festive touch for the holidays. This recipe deserved 5 stars as well.
Kira
This would go down an absolute treat over Xmas in this house . We have three chocolate monsters here 🙂
Beth Pierce
Thanks Kira! Enjoy!
Lynndee
I am a chocolate person and that cake makes my mouth water. I love how the cherries make it look so festive for the holidays.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lynndee! You should try it! It is delicious!
Shelly
Wow, this really takes the cake, no pun intended. This is so overwhelmingly delicious, and it was the perfect dessert for my Christmas dinner party!
Jen
This Chocolate Cherry Cake looks decadent and so yummy! I would love to make this for Christmas or even New Year’s Eve!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jen! Enjoy!
Winnie
I love how quick and easy this recipe is to put together. And who doesn’t love chocolate and cherry? It is such a great combination!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Winnie!
Ollie
This chocolate cherry cake was really simple to make. I like how you kept the ingredients minimal but still managed to create something indulgent.
Claudia
This is definitely making an appearance at our holiday party. IT couldn’t be more perfect!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Claudia!
Kimberly
I’ve made this cake a few times using a 9×13. It is so good and satisfying without being too sweet. I skip the icing/glaze for fresh whipped cream! Gives me Black Forest cake vibes without all the work. Thank you!!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kimberly! I am so glad that you like the cake.
Heidi
Hi Kimberly! Could you tell me which boxed cake mix works out best for you?