Chocolate Cherry Cake with Cherry Pie Filling

4.98 from 47 votes
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Easy chocolate cherry cake is a moist and delicious chocolate cake filled with cherries and topped with chocolate ganache. A great cake for any occasion!

Easy chocolate cherry cake is a moist and delicious chocolate cake filled with cherries and topped with chocolate ganache.


 

The BEST Chocolate Cake with Cherry Pie Filling Recipe

Calling all chocolate lovers! This rich chocolate cherry cake with a cherry pie filling and decadent ganache on top is absolute bliss. And thanks to the pre-made cake mix, prep is even easier than you think!

Looking for a chocolate dessert that will knock your socks off but doesn’t take all day to make? Whether you’re looking to impress dinner guests or simply want to treat the family (or yourself), this easy chocolate cherry cake is always a winner!

Just imagine trying a forkful of fluffy, moist chocolate cake mixed with tangy cherry pie filling and topped with a decadent ganache. Is your mouth watering yet? Let me tell you, the real thing is probably even better than you’re imagining.

And best of all, it’s so easy to make. But more on that in a minute.

I was first introduced to this cake when one of my mom’s best friends brought it over for us to try. She is such an amazing cook, so I knew it was going to be delicious even before I tasted it.

I was right, but I had no idea just how right. Oh my goodness, this is one seriously good cake. And once you give it a try, just like me, you’re going to be hooked from the first forkful!

What is a semi-homemade cake?

I like to use this term whenever I make a recipe that’s not completely from scratch. Because, let’s be honest, it’s not always worth the extra effort!

For example, this recipe calls for a pre-made devil’s food cake mix. It cuts way down on prep time, turns out amazing every time, and no one can taste the difference! See what I mean?

We’ll also use a can of cherry pie filling in this recipe. I don’t know about you, but I usually don’t have hours to reduce and mix my own cherry filling. I leave that to the experts!

The ganache on top is the one element we will make from scratch, but the process is very simple. You’ll combine everything in one pan to help it achieve the perfect texture, then pour it over the cake while still warm. It’s super easy and utterly decadent!

If you want to lick the bowl afterwards, I won’t blame you. In fact, I would think you’re crazy if you didn’t!

Is chocolate cherry cake the same as black forest cake?

While they have similar flavors, they are two separate desserts. Black forest cake is made from layers of chocolate cake with cherry filling in between. It also features a whipped cream topping.

The biggest similarity is that they both give you the combination of rich chocolate and tangy cherries. This recipe melds the flavors a bit more because the cherry pie filling is combined with the cake mix. And instead of the whipped cream topping, we’ll cover our in a heavenly chocolate ganache for that perfect finish!

Chocolate and Cherry Cake Ingredients

  • Devils Food Cake Mix
  • cherry pie filling
  • eggs
  • vegetable oil
  • milk
  • almond extract
  • sugar
  • evaporated milk
  • butter
  • semi-sweet chocolate chips
Box of chocolate cake mix, bowl of milk, chocolate chips, oil, eggs, and sugar.

How to make Chocolate Cherry Cake with Cherry Pie Filling

Scroll to bottom for full printable recipe and ingredient list.

To make the chocolate cherry cake using cake mix:

  • Mix: Using an electric mixer, mix together cake mix, eggs, oil, milk, and almond extract.
Mixing bowl with eggs, chocolate cake mix, and milk.
  • Fold: Fold in cherry pie filling and stir until combined. 
Mixing bowl with cherry pie filling and cake batter.
  • Bake: Pour batter into a 9×13 pan sprayed with non-stick spray and bake for 30-35 minutes. 
Chocolate cake batter in a rectangular pan.

To make the ganache:

  • Ganache: My favorite part is the chocolate ganache topping. In a saucepan heat evaporated milk, sugar and butter. Then stir in chocolate chips and almond extract.
Saucepan with melted chocolate.
  • Spread it over the cake and you are done. It is smooth and fudgy and oh so chocolatey. And yes, I licked the bowl clean.
Chocolate cake on a plate

Chocolate Cherry Cake Recipe Tips

  • Don’t have devil’s food cake mix, use chocolate instead.
  • Have a nut allergy in your house, use vanilla extract instead of almond extract.
  • Be sure to pour ganache over cake while the cake is still slightly warm. This helps it spread evenly. 
Chocolate Cherry Cake in pan

How to store Chocolate Cake with Cherry Pie Filling

This cherry cake will stay good at room temperature for 2-3 days and in the refrigerator for about one week. 

To freeze, let completely cool and then wrap in plastic wrap and foil. It will stay good in the freezer for 2 months. 

FAQ

Why is my cherry cake dry?

The can of cherry pie filling should keep this cake very moist. If your cake is dry you might have baked it too long.

Can I make this cake into a layer cake?

Yes, you can make this into a layer cake by using 2 8-inch round pans. Make sure to grease the pans.

Do I have to use cherry pie filling?

The cherry pie filling pairs really well with the chocolate cake. You can substitute with canned blueberry pie filling or strawberry filling.

Can I make this into a chocolate cherry dump cake?

This can be made into a dump cake by adding two cans of cherry pie filling into a baking dish and adding the cake mix on top. Add ¾ cup melted butter over the cake mix. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 50-60 minutes.

More delicious cake recipes

If you made this cake be sure to leave a star rating below! 

Piece of chocolate cake on a plate.
4.98 from 47 votes

Chocolate Cherry Cake Recipe

By Heather
Easy chocolate cherry cake is a moist and delicious chocolate cake filled with cherries and topped with chocolate ganache. A great cake for any occasion!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 1 box devil’s food cake mix
  • 1 21 oz can cherry pie filling
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup evaporated milk
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9×13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Mix eggs, cake mix, oil, milk and almond extract. 
  • Fold cherry pie filling into the batter. 
  • Pour batter into greased baking pan. 
  • Bake 30-35 minutes.
  • For Ganache: In a small saucepan bring sugar, evaporated milk and butter to a boil for one minute.
  • Remove from heat and add chocolate chips and almond extract.
  • Mix until smooth and pour over cake while cake and ganache are still warm. 
  • Let ganache set and cool before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 616kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 540mg | Potassium: 363mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 4.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
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Recipe Rating




45 Comments

      1. 5 stars
        I have now made it in a bundt pan three times. It looks nice in a bundt form. I made it in January and in the two months since I’ve had two more requests for it. It seems to go very fast. I’m not a big chocolate cake fan but even I like this one. I would caution bakers to be mindful of the size of can of pie filling they buy. I inadvertently got a couple of cans that were only 15 oz.

        I do have the same question each time – how long should it cool in the pan and how long on the plate before you put the ganache on?

  1. This is the best chocolate cake I have ever eaten and super easy to make. Definitely one of my go tos now for sure!

  2. Made this cake a few weeks ago and it was delicious. Tried again today to make two of the cakes to carry to church and to a family that had a death. Today when I began to beat the batter, it was so thick that it climbed up the beaters and I simply had to stop and stir by hand. Folded cherries in and it was thin enough to get in pan but. Any thoughts on what could have happened. It happened with both cakes. Reviewed ingredients several times. Just puzzled!

  3. 5 stars
    Loved this recipe. It is delicious and the ganache frosting makes it even more delicious! Enjoyed by all, family and friends. If you’re a chocolate lover, you have got to try it!