Chocolate Cherry Cake with Cherry Pie Filling
Oct 29, 2018, Updated Jan 10, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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!
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
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.
- Fold: Fold in cherry pie filling and stir until combined.
- Bake: Pour batter into a 9×13 pan sprayed with non-stick spray and bake for 30-35 minutes.
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.
- 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 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.
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
The can of cherry pie filling should keep this cake very moist. If your cake is dry you might have baked it too long.
Yes, you can make this into a layer cake by using 2 8-inch round pans. Make sure to grease the pans.
The cherry pie filling pairs really well with the chocolate cake. You can substitute with canned blueberry pie filling or strawberry filling.
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
- Apricot Nectar Cake – This is a delicious, moist bundt cake made with apricot nectar.
- Pineapple Cake – One of my favorite cakes to make in the summer. Crushed pineapple and pineapple icing.
- 7-Up Cake – A classic cake with 7-Up.
- Orange Poke Cake – A beautiful and delicious poke cake.
- Chocolate Sheet Cake – Chocolate cake with a fudgy chocolate frosting.
If you made this cake be sure to leave a star rating below!
Chocolate Cherry Cake Recipe
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Very good and moist cake. Love it! Also very easy to make.
I made this cake for a family reunion and it was a huge hit. I’ve been looking for this recipe for over 30 years as I made it all those years ago from a church cookbook and loved it.
June 27, 2023
Made this cake for family and was a huge hit. A ver easy and light cake. This will be in our rotation!
Oh my goodness this cake is soo delicious! Quick and easy to make. Great for a busy summer day! And that frosting—had to force myself not to eat the whole bowl. Big hit! Thank you
So happy you enjoyed it!
Just made this earlier today! I mixed a can of cherry frosting with a block of softened cream cheese and put between the cake and ganache frosting. So delish! Thank you for satisfying my sweet cherry craving! Cheers!
Did you use the cream cheese/cherry frosting only between the 2 round cakes or on top of the cake, then the Gamache frosting?
The cake was yummy the only thing I didn’t like was the of regular granulated sugar. It remained a little gritty. I think it should have been made with super fine sugar or powder sugar for a smoother icing other than that one thing the cake was a hit at a neighbor gathering
I made the cake using Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix since I love dark chocolate. The last few minutes I sprinkled 1 cup of semi- sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped nuts. It was fantastic.
Do you mean the last few minutes of Baking? Or After the frosting was put on and before it set up? Or did you use the frosting at all?
ty for the info!
Once the cake has finished baking, remove from the oven. Make the ganache frosting and once it’s finished you can spread it over the cake. Hope this helps. Thanks!
do you put the frosting on while the cake is still warm
Yes, spread it on while the cake is still a little warm. This will make it easier to spread the ganache.
It was delicious! I loved that it is moist. The ganache is perfect. Thank you!
Would it work if I make this in a bundt pan and drizzle vanilla icing on it?
I have not tried making this in a bundt pan but I think it would work fine. You might need to adjust the baking time.
I can’t make this one too often because I can’t stop eating it! I’m not usually big on chocolate cake, but this one is delicious!
This is awesome and so easy! Hubby was surprised how good it tasted! Thank you for sharing your recipe 🥰