Chocolate Cherry Cake


INGREDIENTS:
For the Cake

1 Box Chocolate Cake Mix
1 12 Ounce Can Cherry Pie Filling
3 Eggs

For the Chocolate Frosting

1 Cup Butter Softened
1 Cup Cocoa Powder
3 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1/4 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Chocolate Extract
Pinch of Salt
Cherries and Chocolate Shaving If Desired

INSTRUCTIONS:
For the Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, cherry pie filling,
and eggs until just combined.
Do not over mix.

3. Evenly spread into prepared pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted
in the center comes out clean.

4. Cool completely.

For the Chocolate Frosting

1. In a large bowl, mix butter,
cocoa powder, salt, and extracts until smooth.
Add powdered sugar a little at a time until just combined.
Add heavy cream as needed until you reach your desired consistency.

2. Spoon frosting onto the cake, and smooth out with an offset spatula.

3. Garnish with chocolate shavings and cherries if desired.

Notes:

-Cherry Pie Filling:
Strawberry would also be tasty!
-Chocolate Extract:
Optional but highly encouraged
this adds great concentrated flavor.
-Chocolate Curls:
Easily make chocolate curls by using a block of chocolate
and a vegetable peeler.

Cool completely before frosting or it may melt off.
Around an hour on a cold stove top burner should do the trick.

Make-Ahead: You can make this cake a day in advance.
Letting the cake sit for twenty-four hours
will allow the cherry flavoring
to really seep into the chocolate cake,
giving it a deeper cherry flavor.