Easy Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake {VIDEO}

When you want a sweet chocolate cake without all the work, this Easy Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake is the answer. A few shortcuts make this cake SO easy, but tastes completely homemade! Perfect for potlucks, holiday parties, and any time a chocolate craving hits.

We love simple dessert recipes that start with a cake mix.  If you’re looking for more easy cake recipes, Caramel Butter Pecan Cake With Bourbon Frosting is always a big hit, as are my favorite Lemon Sheet Cake, Tres Leches Cake, and Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cherry Cake

Whoever said baking isn’t easy has clearly never heard of this amazing chocolate-covered cherry cake recipe. I’ve never loved an easy 4-ingredient cake as much as I love this one, and that’s saying a lot coming from a longtime cake lover, such as myself.

In this simple, yet delicious chocolate cherry cake, you’ll find only 4 simple ingredients that come together in a flash to make a cake perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re going to a backyard bbq, shower, or work event, this cake is sure to be a huge hit. No one can resist a cake full of chocolatey goodness, and cherry filling?

The juicy cherry pie filling mixed with the rich and intense chocolate flavors come together seamlessly and are rounded out with just a bit of almond extract to give it that extra little flavor punch everyone will love.

How To Make The Best Chocolate Cherry Cake

When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

Like I said before, this is not a complicated recipe by any means, it’s actually one of the easiest cakes I’ve ever made. So, even if you’re a complete stranger to anything baking related, you can still whip up your own cherry cake with ease when you follow these simple instructions.

To start just preheat your oven and grease and flour a baking pan. Then, in a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pie filling, eggs and extract by hand until well blended. Once the ingredients are well mixed and a batter forms, you’ll spread the batter into your prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

If you choose to make the ganache frosting, you’ll then place a little sugar, milk, and butter in a small saucepan and bring them to a boil. Let the liquid boil for one minute, stirring constantly, then remove the pan from heat and stir in some chocolate chips until smooth.

Lastly, pour the frosting over the warm cake and let it cool at least 90 minutes before cutting. Serve with whipped cream or Cool Whip if desired.

Tips For Making A Perfect Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake

• First and foremost, I can’t stress enough that you DO NOT prepare the cake mix prior to adding it to the rest of the ingredients. We are simply using the cake mix powder,  NOT a prepared cake mix batter. The cake will not turn out the same at all if you prepare the cake mix. 
• If you don’t like dark chocolate, you can also use your favorite chocolate cake mix, or even try a vanilla cake mix for a different flavor profile. 
• I highly suggest making the cake a day in advance so you can really let the ingredients soak into each other overnight. It really takes this chocolate-covered cherry cake to the next level.

Ways To Serve This Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake

I love a good versatile cake that can wear many hats when it comes to serving, which is one of the many reasons this chocolate-covered cherry cake always tops my favorite desserts list. The decadently moist cake is amazing served either warm or cold, so feel free to leave it on the counter or in the refrigerator until ready to serve. 

Once you decide on the serving temperature, it’s time to move onto toppings. You really can’t go wrong with toppings for this one. I have yet to find a topping I didn’t like with chocolate cherry cake. 

My favorite way to serve this cake is topped with a homemade chocolate ganache that I’ve included in the recipe card below and whipped cream or Cool Whip. If the chocolate ganache isn’t your thing or you’re in a hurry, it’s just as delicious simply dusted with powdered sugar.  Or feel free to use a fluffy canned frosting or your favorite chocolate frosting recipe. 

How to Store Chocolate Cherry Cake

Every time I make the famous chocolate cherry cake, it’s devoured before I can even think about how I want to store leftovers, and I’m sure that might happen to you too. If you are lucky enough to get away with some leftover cherry cake, there are a few ways you can store it. 

To store for the short term you can also store the cake at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.

If you want your cake to last more than just a week you can place it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months, then let it defrost and frost it once it’s ready to serve.

Take A Look At Some Other Fan Favorite Chocolate Recipes

Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Parfaits – Layered with chocolate cookie crumbs, dark sweet cherries, and a no-bake cheesecake filling. It’s a sinfully easy and delicious make-ahead dessert for any occasion.

Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake – an intense chocolate cake with a surprise raspberry filling and a hint of raspberry liquor in every bite.  Covered in a Chocolate Chambord Glaze and simply garnished with fresh raspberries, I love how elegant this cake looks with barely any effort.

Triple Chocolate Caramel Bars – like a thick chewy brownie only better!! These indulgent cake mix bars are always a hit and easy to make! 

Chocolate Lava Cake – If you’re craving a delicious, warm chocolate dessert, then you need this chocolate lava cake. Also known as brownie pudding cake, it magically makes its own gooey chocolate sauce as it bakes! 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Layered Delight – four layers of pure bliss. This chilled dessert starts with a chocolate chip cookie bottom topped with a sweet cream cheese layer, chocolate pudding, and a creamy topping with more chocolate chips! This is the dessert recipe of your dreams!!

Tools Used To Make This Easy Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake

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Glass Mixing Bowl Set

Everyone should have a good set of mixing bowls in their kitchen. This set is my favorite because the variety of sizes means I always have exactly what I need available. 

9 x 13 inch Non-Stick Pan

My non-stick cake pan is easily my most used baking pan. I absolutely love how all my cakes turn out when baked in this pan, and the snap-on lid is just the icing on the cake!

Silicone Spatula Set

I love using my silicone spatulas for just about everything when it comes to baking. You can’t beat how durable and easy to clean they are.