Chocolate Cherry Bars

These Chocolate Cherry Bars are a rich, decadent treat that combines the deep flavor of devil’s food cake with the tart sweetness of cherry pie filling, all topped with a luscious chocolate almond frosting. The bars are moist and packed with flavor, making them a perfect dessert for any occasion. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make, using a simple cake mix as the base. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just want a sweet treat at home, these bars are sure to impress.

Ingredients:

For the Cake Bars:

• 1 (18.25-oz.) package Devil’s Food Cake Mix (a 15.25 or 16.25 oz package works too)
• 1 (21-oz.) can cherry pie filling
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 eggs, beaten

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your baking pan by greasing and flouring either a 15x10x1-inch pan or a 13×9-inch baking dish. The size of the pan will affect the thickness of the bars, with the 13×9-inch pan yielding thicker bars.

2. Mix the Cake Bars:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the Devil’s Food Cake Mix, cherry pie filling, almond extract, and beaten eggs. Stir until everything is well blended. If you prefer more intact cherries, stir by hand. If you want the cherries more dispersed throughout the batter, use a stand mixer, which will break them up slightly.

3. Bake the Bars:

• Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake at 350°F until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. For a 15x10x1-inch pan, this will take about 20 to 30 minutes; for a 13×9-inch pan, expect it to take 25 to 35 minutes. The bars should be set and slightly springy to the touch.

4. Prepare the Frosting:

• While the bars are baking, make the frosting. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, milk, and butter. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once boiling, let it continue to boil for 1 minute. Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in the semisweet chocolate chips and almond extract. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the frosting is smooth.

5. Frost the Bars:

• Once the bars are done baking, remove them from the oven and pour the warm frosting over the still-warm bars. Spread the frosting evenly to cover the entire surface. Allow the bars to cool for about 2 hours, or until completely set. You can speed up this process by placing the bars in the refrigerator.

6. Serve:

• Once the bars are completely cooled and the frosting has set, cut them into squares or rectangles. Serve and enjoy the rich, chocolatey goodness with a burst of cherry in every bite.

Tips:

• Cherry Pie Filling: If you prefer larger cherry pieces in your bars, gently fold the filling into the batter by hand. For a more uniform texture, use a mixer to break up the cherries a bit.
• Frosting Consistency: The frosting should be poured over the bars while both are still warm for easier spreading. If it thickens too much before spreading, you can gently reheat it on the stovetop or microwave for a few seconds to loosen it.
• Serving Suggestions: These bars are delicious on their own, but for an extra indulgent treat, try serving them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Storage:
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you refrigerate them, let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

This recipe is a fantastic way to elevate a simple cake mix into a dessert that tastes homemade and special, with minimal effort. Perfect for when you need a quick yet impressive sweet treat!