Chocolate Cherry Double Layer Birthday Cake: A Last-Minute Birthday Delight!

A few weeks ago, I found myself unexpectedly tasked with making a birthday cake for a friend’s impromptu party. No one had thought about the cake, so my husband volunteered me, knowing that baking is my thing. With only two hours to go, I turned to my favorite shortcut: Duncan Hines Devil’s Food Cake Mix.

I’ve made this cake before, and every time, it turns out moist, rich, and indulgent exactly what you want for a birthday treat. But here’s where things got interesting. I didn’t want to just bake any cake; I wanted something special. So, I grabbed the essentials and got creative.

Chocolate Ganache, topped with a sweet cherry pie filling, added that perfect finishing touch, transforming a simple cake into something worth celebrating. The dark chocolate paired with the cherries is a combination that always delivers, with every bite melting in your mouth.

It’s the kind of cake that makes any occasion feel extra special, and with just a few ingredients and steps, it’s surprisingly easy to pull off. Whether you’re making it for a birthday or just because, this Chocolate Cherry Double Layer Cake will have everyone asking for a second slice.

To make this celebration even more festive, I served the cake with a Strawberry Colada. The tropical, fruity flavors of the strawberry and coconut perfectly complement the richness of the chocolate and cherry, making for an unforgettable treat!

You could also pair it with a scoop of Keto Vanilla Ice Cream, which adds a creamy, cooling balance to the richness of the cake.

Why I Love This Recipe (And You Will Too)

• Quick and Easy: Using cake mix saves time, but the chocolate ganache and cherry topping make it feel homemade.
• Indulgent Flavors: The combination of chocolate and cherry never gets old; it’s a timeless flavor duo.
• Moist and Rich: The cake is incredibly moist thanks to the buttermilk and the added cocoa powder.
• Great for Special Occasions: Whether it’s a birthday or just a treat for yourself, this cake makes any day feel festive.
• Customizable: You can tweak the toppings or filling based on what you have at home, adding your personal twist to the recipe.

This chocolate cherry double layer birthday cake was an absolute showstopper! The cake was rich and moist, and the cherry filling gave it that perfect sweet-tart twist. Made it for my sister’s birthday and everyone was raving. Looked fancy, tasted even better!

— Rachel Simmons, Washington

Chocolate Cherry Double Layer Birthday Cake Recipe

This moist, double-layer birthday cake combines the rich flavors of chocolate and cherry, with a glossy ganache coating and a sweet cherry pie filling to top it all off. It’s the perfect treat for a quick yet impressive dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 box Duncan Hines Devil’s Food Cake Mix
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/3 cups buttermilk
• 1/2 cup corn oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate Ganache:
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 can cherry pie filling (for topping)

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your 8-inch cake pans.

Step 2: Mix Cake Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, cocoa powder, buttermilk, corn oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix on low for 1 minute, then scrape the sides and mix on medium for 2 minutes until smooth.

Step 3: Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Make Ganache: In a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips and whipping cream together, stirring until smooth. For a thinner ganache, add an extra 1/4 cup of cream.

Step 5: Layer the Cake: Once the cakes have cooled, place the bottom layer on your serving plate. Spread a generous amount of ganache on top, then add a thin layer of cherry pie filling.

Step 6: Top Layer & Final Touch: Add the top layer of cake, then pour the remaining ganache on top. Let it drip down the sides for a beautiful effect. Add a circle of cherry pie filling in the center of the top layer.

Step 7: Serve & Enjoy: Slice, serve, and enjoy this decadent birthday treat!

AVOID MY DISASTER (You’re Welcome)

• FORGOT to line the cake pans. The cake stuck like glue! (Next time, grease and flour them for an easy release.)
• DUMPED too much cherry pie filling. (Keep it light, just a thin layer on top for a perfect finish.)
• OVER-TOASTED the garlic bread. It went from golden to burnt! (Watch closely under the broiler just a few minutes, then take it out.)
• USED the wrong size pans. (Use 8-inch pans to get the right cake height; smaller pans = more layers!)

Try Some More Dessert Recipes!

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Roll Cake
• Blueberry Scones
• Blueberry Muffins
• Red Velvet Strawberry Cheesecake