Easy 4-Ingredient Chocolate Cherry Cake
This 4-Ingredient Chocolate Cherry Cake is the ultimate chocolate dessert, combining a moist, chocolatey cake with sweet cherry pie filling. It’s an incredibly easy recipe that’s perfect for using up pantry staples and is guaranteed to satisfy any chocolate craving.
Cakes like this are a staple in our home, especially when unexpected guests arrive. There’s something so satisfying about transforming a few simple ingredients into a brand-new, delicious dessert. We love that this recipe feels both indulgent and effortless. Perfect for a cozy night in when you need a little extra sweetness.
What is chocolate cherry cake?
This is a rich and moist cake featuring Devil’s Food cake mix and cherry pie filling baked into a tender, flavorful dessert. The cake gets its deep flavor from the chocolate cake mix and a touch of almond extract for warmth, all topped with a simple chocolate frosting or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Why you’ll love this cake
- Anyone can make it. Even a small child!
- Easily stocked ingredients in the pantry.
- Everyone loves it. Everyone!
- You won’t go home with leftovers (if you bring it to a party).
- You won’t be tempted with leftovers (if the party is at your house). HA.
- Any kind of ice cream pairs well with this. We love vanilla!
- If you don’t want to make a frosting, serve it with ice cream OR … a warm fudge topping!
Ingredients needed
- Devil’s Food cake mix: Forms the chocolate base of the cake, creating a rich and moist foundation.
- Cherry pie filling: Adds sweetness, moisture, and fruity flavor, and is the secret to keeping the cake incredibly moist.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and give the cake structure.
- Almond extract: The secret ingredient that adds warmth and enhances the chocolate and cherry flavors.
Optional Frosting Ingredients:
- Powdered sugar: Forms the base of a smooth, sweet frosting.
- Butter: Adds richness and a creamy texture.
- Milk: Thins the frosting to a spreadable consistency.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Melt into the frosting for a deep chocolate flavor.
- Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.
- Cocoa: Adds extra chocolate intensity.
How do you make this 4-ingredient chocolate cherry cake?
Make the batter:
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat for 1-2 minutes. If you want chunkier cherries, mix by hand.
PRO TIP: Be sure to check every cherry for pits. Occasionally a pit is left in one or two of the cherries, and you don’t want your guests to break a tooth.
Bake the cake:
- Pour batter into a 9×13 sprayed pan.
- Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
PRO TIP: Don’t overbake the cake. You want it to be perfectly moist.
Frost (optional) and serve:
- Frost with your favorite frosting, whipped cream, or serve with your favorite ice cream!
- Serve and enjoy!
PRO TIP: The cake is amazing served warm. Add more cherries on top when you serve each piece.
Serving
You can serve this chocolate cherry cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a warm fudge topping
for the ultimate indulgent dessert.
Sandy’s tips and substitutions:
- Choose the right cake mix: Use a Devil’s Food cake mix for the richest chocolate flavor. You can also change up the cake mix for a variation of chocolate cake mixes.
- Check your cherries: Be sure to check every cherry for pits before mixing.
- Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on the cake as you want it perfectly moist.
- Make ahead: This cake is great made ahead and stored covered on the counter.
- Reheating: The cake is amazing served warm. Pop a slice in the microwave for a few seconds before serving later.
- Lighten it up: Serve with whipped cream instead of frosting for a lighter option.
Variations:
- Cake mix swaps: Try a white or yellow cake mix for a variation, though it won’t be “chocolate cherry” cake anymore!
- Fruit swaps: You can try strawberry pie filling instead of cherry and use the same amount (ounces).
- Frosting swaps: Try a ganache instead of traditional frosting for a richer finish.
- Toppings: Get creative with toppings! Extra cherries, chocolate shavings, or a dusting of cocoa powder are all fantastic choices.
If you love moist chocolate cake, be sure to try my Banana Breakfast Cake, Chocolate Rum Cake, or Chocolate Crazy Cake.
More delicious cakes you may want to try:
Get the Recipe:
4-Ingredient Chocolate Cherry Cake
Ingredients
- 1 Devils Food Cake Mix
- 1 21 oz can cherry pie filling
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1 16 oz Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Frosting, optional
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish (I like to use a ceramic baking dish)
- Stand mixer (I love my KitchenAid stand mixer)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat for 1-2 minutes. If you want chunkier cherries, mix by hand.
- Pour batter into 9×13 sprayed pan.
- Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Frost with your favorite frosting, whipped cream, or serve with your favorite ice cream!
Notes
Sandy’s tips:
- Choose the right cake mix: Use a Devil’s Food cake mix for the richest chocolate flavor. You can also change up the cake mix for a variation of chocolate cake mixes.
- Check your cherries: Be sure to check every cherry for pits before mixing.
- Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on the cake as you want it perfectly moist.
- Make ahead: This cake is great made ahead and stored covered on the counter.
- Reheating: The cake is amazing served warm. Pop a slice in the microwave for a few seconds before serving later.
- Lighten it up: Serve with whipped cream instead of frosting for a lighter option.
- Betty Crocker Frosting: We love a can Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Frosting but it’s good enough to enjoy without it. This is optional.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Thank you for this recipe! So to be certain that I understand – the instructions for ingredients on the Devil’s Food Cake Mix (oil, water, etc.) are to be disregarded and only the canned cherries are to be added to the cake mix along with the remaining ingredients for THIS recipe, correct? Thank you!
4 ingredients … the cake mix, eggs, cherries, and almond extract. ENJOY! (right, no oil or water)
This was amazing! I made it in a Bundt pan and drizzled it with a chocolate glaze. My guest actually had me cover my cake plate to resist the temptation to keep eating it! So, so tasty! Question… can this be adapted to a cookie recipe??!!!
Thank you! I’ve never tried the cookies! let us know!
How long did you bake it in the Bundt pan?
do you spray or grease the cake pan
Yes, always when you bake a cake! :)
My husband loves cherry anything. So I will make this , thanks!
So easy to make ……even on a 91 degree day. Many years since I made this cake . Used almond extract which was a nice idea. Thanks.
Does this get stored in the fridge or can I leave it out?
You can leave it out.
I made cupcakes. They were delicious.
So easy and so so good!!!!
Made this for the first time this morning. Delicious. I frosted it when cooled with a can of rich and creamy chocolate frosting. One word of caution…….be sure to check every cherry for pits. For years I used cherry pie filling with no pits. The last three cans had a couple of pits. This can had one pit. You don’t want to break a tooth!!
GOOD TIP! Thanks for sharing that.
Cake and frosting sound yummy! ?
Must try!