Surprisingly moist and soft, this 3-ingredient chocolate cherry cake is a crowd-pleaser. You’d be amazed how easy it is to make it too!
Holy smokes, you guys, this chocolate cherry cake is simply a magic!
Let me elaborate…
You’ll need 3 ingredients and about 5 minutes of your time to make this cake. And in return, you’ll get super moist and surprisingly tall and soft chocolate cake studded with cherries. If that’s not magic, I don’t know what is.
I’m so glad I tried this recipe when I saw it in local FB group I’m part of, and I urge you to give it a try too!
Now, I know we’re cheating here big time with canned pie filling and cake mix. But it’s SO worth it! I stocked my pantry with couple of cake mixes and canned cherry pies for “emergencies”. You know, when you have guests on short notice, or when you need a bite of chocolate cake like right now, or when you can’t decide between chocolate cake and cherry pie. Ok, don’t know about that last one, because this cake is nothing like a cherry pie. Aaanyway, moving on…
So this chocolate cherry cake is delicious either warm or cold.
You can enjoy it warm, topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate ganache. HEAVEN! Or you can smother it with chocolate fudge, whipped cream and maraschino cherry. My favorite! Or eat it plain dusted with powdered sugar, or not. Less calories, but we don’t really care about calories around here, right? 😉
Oh and since it’s a large cake, it’s perfect for potlucks, office treats, and church gatherings. And I’m telling ya, it’s quite a crowd-pleaser!
And here’s a quick video tutorial to show you just how easy it is to make this incredible chocolate cake.
3-Ingredient Chocolate Cherry Cake
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 box Devil’s cake mix
- 1 can 21oz cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray 13×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl with attachment, beat the eggs for a minute.
- Add chocolate cake mix and cherry pie filling, and continue to beat the mixture until smooth, starting on low speed.
- Pour the batter into the baking pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cake on wire rack in the pan. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, and/or fudge sauce, if desired.
- Store in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.
Marissa nguyen says
Could you use this recipe for cupcakes?
Shinee says
Hi, Marissa. Yes, you can! I even shared muffin version here: https://www.sweetandsavorybyshinee.com/easy-chocolate-cherry-muffins/. Simply frost them with your favorite frosting, you’ll get a perfect cupcakes. 🙂
Marti Robinson says
I followed this recipe exactly and it was so amazing! Very flavorful and so most that you can eat it even without frosting! ❤
Shinee says
Yay, so happy you loved the recipe, Marti. Thank you for your feedback.
Karen Allen says
What size cake mix did you use — the old 18.25 oz or the newer 15.25 oz?
teresa williamson says
I just love this cake. It’s almost like a sponge cake.Will have to try the yellow cake mix with apple pie filling.That sounds delicious.
Shinee says
Awesome! So happy you loved it, Teresa!
Ronda says
I made this for National Chocolate cake day today. When I make it again, I will mix cake mix with eggs first and then add cherry pie filling. Beating it all together at once chopped the cherries up pretty fine and I didn’t get the cherry flavor I had hoped for, unless I read directions wrong. Otherwise it was a great recipe.
Shinee says
Thank you, Ronda, for sharing your feedback and notes.
Laura says
This sounds so delicious and I want to make it for my grandchildren. However my grandson is allergic to eggs. Would the cake come out all right if I used egg replacer? It’s a powder I mix with warm water, would so appreciate an answer from someone in the know! Thank you.
Shinee says
Hi, Laura. I have no experience with egg replacer and not sure if it’ll work in this recipe. If you’ve baked a cake with egg replacer before and it turns out good, then I’m sure it’ll work for this as well.
EllenMarie says
I made this with a yellow cake mix–all I had on hand. I added 1 tsp of almond extract to the mix, then topped it with sliced almond and turbinato sugar. Fluffy cake with a crunch.
Shinee says
Thank you so much for your feedback, EllenMarie! Slices almonds and turbinato sugar topping sounds amazing. I’ll try that next time.
Carol D. says
Hi again. Tonight I made this cake recipe substituting a yellow cake mix for the chocolate mix. It baked beautifully. Then I used Cherry Buttercream Frosting on it.
I used a pan I received as a wedding gift 46 years ago not thinking of taking a picture. Oh well, I’m attaching pix of the cake. It was well received. I did put a teaspoon of almond extract on the cake as well. Thank you for your recipes.
Shinee says
Yay, so happy you’re enjoying the cake!!! Thank you for your feedback, Carol!
Carol Duncan says
This is one of those recipes I call “simply ridiculous” because you can’t believe how good it is until you’ve tried it. Then when someone is raving over it (as my picky son did!) you simply say, “And the recipe is simply ridiculously easy.” Really, he was floored when I told him how I’d made it. Of course, I went to move the cake later and a huge piece was gone again and fudge sauce was half of what I had. Yes, your cake is divine and I thank you for a great recipe. I’m looking forward to trying other combinations. And I will be sharing this with my brother who is a cherry lover. I shall be watching for new recipes and looking over the site. Blessings to you. 🙂
Shinee says
Thank you so much, Carol! So happy you all enjoyed the cake, and you’re totally right. It’s simply ridiculous how easy it is and how delicious it turns out. 🙂 Thank you for your feedback.
Mary Ann says
Oh My ! I just tried this from a friend’s suggestion; however, I used yellow cake mix with apple pie filling.
It is just superb ! Also with whipped cream topping. Exceptional ! My friend said that you can used almost any cake mix and pie filling combination. A real thumbs up for the yellow and apple !!
Shinee says
Hi, Mary Ann. So glad your apple cake turned out great. And I totally agree, this works with pretty much with any cake mix and pie filling combination, or even canned fruit, like this pineapple cake with white cake mix and canned crushed pineapple. SOOO GOOD. Hope you’ll try more combinations. I’ll definitely be trying your version too. Thank you for your feedback!
Carol Duncan says
Would this be a 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple? And should it be drained? Love pineapple cake and this is too easy to pass up. Thanks!
Shinee says
Carol, yes, I used 20oz can. Here’s the recipe for you. Hope you love it as much as this chocolate cherry cake. 🙂
Maria says
Can the cake be inverted and removed from the pan, or will it fall apart?
Shinee says
Yes, you can definitely invert it onto a platter, it shouldn’t fall apart.
Karen Nesco says
This a wonderful cake. Have made it many times. A pinch of cinnamon might de good.
Shinee says
Hi, Karen! I’ll have to try adding cinnamon next time. Sounds real good. Thank you for your feedback!
Tamra Dimmick says
Can you make this as mini cupcakes?
Shinee says
Hi, Tamra. Yes, you can!
Micky carpenter says
I added a tablespoon . Of powdered, expresso powder rather than almond. OUTSTANDING!,
Shinee says
Micky, espresso powder sounds like a perfect addition! I’ll do that next time. Thank you for your feedback!
Brenda says
Can I use 2 cans of cherry pie filling? Would that be too much? I just like a lot of fruit in my cake…especially cherries 🙂
Shinee says
Hi, Brenda. I think it may turn out a bit too soggy.
Brenda Cuccia says
Can u use a brownie mix instead of a cake mix?
Shinee says
Hi, Brenda. That sounds like delicious idea. I’ve never tried this with brownie mix though. Let me know if you give it a try.
viki says
my husband loves cherries. I’m not a big fan myself but I still loved this cake. I saved a tablespoon of the pie filling to spread on top. so moist and soft. this recipe is a keeper. I’m going to use blackberry pie filling next time. I used a loaf pan and it took about an hour to bake in my convection oven. rotate anything you bake halfway thru baking time. usually one side of an oven is hotter than the other.
Shinee says
Viki, so glad you enjoyed this cake. Blackberry pie filling sounds delicious too! Thank you for your feedback!
Jessica says
Can this be made in a bundt pan?
Shinee says
Hmm, I’ve never tried this in a bundt pan. Not sure, Jessica. Let me know how it turns out if you try.
Debbie says
Im getting ready to make it and I got frozen cherries and wondering about the juice. How much to I use?
Shinee says
Hi, Debbie. My recipe calls for can of cherry pie filling, not frozen cherries. I haven’t tried this with frozen cherries, so I’m not sure how it’ll turn out.
Kelley Vieira says
Shinee,
I’ve been making this for years, add a teaspoon of almond extract to the mix and top with a chocolate ganache. Mom’s Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake. My husband’s all time favorite. Comes out so moist and delicious.
Shinee says
Hi, Kelley! Almond extract sounds like a fabulous addition, so is the chocolate ganache. Thanks, and I’ll definitely try that next time. And yes, it’s so moist and delicious! It’s my latest favorite!
Connie says
I have made this cake many times. However, I have ‘baked’ in the microwave.
I put the batter in a microwave safe bundt pan. Top pedi it with cool whip or whipped cream. Delish.com.
Shinee says
Connie, that sounds easier yet!! Love that, and how long do you microwave it though? We loved ours with whipped cream too.
Karly says
I almost can’t believe this much deliciousness can be this easy. Definitely going to be a new go-to when I’m crunched for time and need a surefire winner.
Shinee says
I know, right? Ridiculously easy, but boy is it good. Hope you’ll try it soon, Karly.