Description
A moist chocolate cake layered with sweet cherries and velvety chocolate pudding, topped with gooey chocolate chips. Balancing tart and rich flavors, this nostalgic dessert is perfect for family gatherings or lazy aprèsnoons.
Ingredients
1 box chocolate cake mix
3 large eggs
1 cup water (room temperature)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling (or 3 cups fresh pitted cherries, halved)
1/4 cup cherry juice (optional)
1 box (3.5 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup milk
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan
Mix cake batter according to box instructions with eggs, water, and oil
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean
Cool cake slightly then poke holes generously across surface using a skewer
Spread cherry filling over poked holes, adding optional cherry juice for extra flavor
Microwave pudding mix and milk (30-60 seconds) until smooth, then drizzle over cherries
Let cake sit for 10 minutes to absorb liquid, then sprinkle chocolate chips on top
Chill for 1 hour before serving to let layers set
Notes
Use gluten-free cake mix and dairy-free pudding for vegan/vegetarian dietary needs
Fresh cherries must be pitted and halved to avoid bitterness
For stronger chocolate flavor, substitute pudding with melted dark chocolate ganache
Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg