Chocolate Cherry Cake

When you have company coming over, the last thing you need to add to your to-do list is a fussy dessert. This easy chocolate cherry cake recipe will take a load off your shoulders while still delivering a tasty and impressive-looking dessert.

Made with a single box of chocolate cake mix, a can of cherry pie filling, eggs and a whisper of almond extract, we simply dump the ingredients together, mix and bake. To serve, dust the cherry chocolate cake with a touch of powdered sugar and top each piece with cherry pie filling, if desired.

This is hands-down one of our favorite recipes for making a cake mix taste homemade. Chocolate cherry dump cake has all the wonderful flavors of Black Forest cake but doesn’t require cake layering or piped icing.

Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Cake

• Chocolate cake mix: This is one of our favorite shortcut ingredients. Use any chocolate cake mix you enjoy, such as devil’s food, milk chocolate or fudge.
• Eggs: Enrich the cake with fat to keep it tender and help develop its structure.
• Cherry pie filling: You don’t need to make a homemade cherry pie filling. Simply grab two cans from your store’s baking aisle.
• Almond extract: Almond extract has a cherry-like flavor that complements the cherries in this cake and marries well with the rich chocolate.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Use a light dusting to decorate the cake and to add a touch of sweetness. If you’re fresh out, make your own confectioners’ sugar using a blender.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the cake batter

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs and almond extract until well blended. Stir in one can cherry pie filling until evenly combined.

Editor’s Tip: As with any of our chocolate cake recipes, take care not to overmix the batter. Doing so can work too much air into the batter and overdevelop the gluten in the flour, which can negatively impact the texture and structure of the cake.

Step 2: Bake the cake

Transfer the cake batter to a 13×9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Decorate and serve

To serve, dust the top of the cherry chocolate cake with confectioners’ sugar and cut it into pieces. Top individual servings with the remaining cherry pie filling.

Recipe Variations

• Add other mix-ins to the batter: For more texture and flavor, consider stirring chocolate chips, chopped walnuts or shredded coconut into the cake.
• Brush with liqueur: For added punch, brush the top of the chocolate cherry dump cake with cherry liqueur (e.g., Kirsch), cherry brandy or amaretto.
• Top with frosting or ganache: In lieu of the second can of cherry pie filling, top the cherry chocolate cake with chocolate ganache or homemade frosting.
• Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream: You can never go wrong with homemade whipped cream. Dollop a spoonful on this chocolate cherry dump cake for pure heaven!

How to Store Chocolate Cherry Cake

For the best taste, store this chocolate cherry cake at room temperature. You may also store it in the refrigerator, but refrigerated cake will begin to dry out after about two days.

How long does chocolate cherry cake last?

Cherry chocolate cake should last three to four days at room temperature or up to one week in the refrigerator (though in the fridge it will begin to dry out after about two days).

Chocolate Cherry Cake Tips

What else can you serve with chocolate cherry cake?

Serve this easy cherry chocolate cake with homemade ice cream. Vanilla, chocolate or cherry-based flavors would pair nicely.

Do I need to prepare the cake mix as directed on the box before starting the recipe?

No! The beauty of the chocolate cherry dump cake recipe is its simplicity. Just ignore the specified additional ingredients (usually eggs and vegetable oil) and steps on the back of your chocolate cake mix box.

Can I make this chocolate cherry dump cake with a different type of cake mix?

Sure! While we love the combination of chocolate and cherry, we imagine this recipe would work with most cake mix flavors.