Chocolate Cherry Cake

When googling the month of February, I came up with several events for the shortest month. We begin the month with Groundhog’s Day, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day; plus several other “days”. Sadie Hawkins day is the 29th and only in a leap year which will be 2016.

Chocolate and cherries come to mind for me this month, because of Valentine chocolates and the cherry tree of George Washington I cannot tell a lie. The dessert recipe for this week I will prepare for the Valentine’s dinner when we have our kids over to eat with us. They think I am serving liver and onions again, but this time it will be prime rib. I just hope they are not disappointed.

Chocolate Cherry Cake

1 (18 ounce) package chocolate cake mix

1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

2 Eggs

1 Teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

MIx the above ingredients by hand, blend well. Pour into well greased and floured 9 x 13 pan and bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cake is set.

1/2 Cup white sugar

1/2 Cup brown sugar

6 Tablespoons butter

1/3 Cup whole milk

1 Teaspoon vanilla

1 Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

While cake is baking, bring to boil sugars, butter and milk for one minute, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips and vanilla stir until chips are melted and the frosting is smooth. Pour over warm cake and spread to cover. Cool.

*Note, sometimes I omit the frosting and just serve the cake with whipped topping.

Questions or comments:

marlisz@aol.com