Super Moist Chocolate Cherry Sheet Cake

Okay, So I'm on a bit of a chocolate and cherry kick.

Last night, I wicked big chocolate craving kicked in, but my flour was almost gone, and I NEEDED chocolate cake.

Then I remembered I randomly had a box of chocolate cake mix in my cupboard...which goes against everything I stand for. I never ever ever will make a cake or cupcakes with cake mix. NEVER.

To me, mixes just can't compare to the real deal. Not to mention they have that artificial-y flavor.

Buuuut, last night was an emergency. 

So I broke out the cake mix, added some cherry extract, vanilla extract, maraschino cherry juice, chopped up  maraschino cherries, and viola! 

THIS CAKE WAS SO GOOD.

Actually, It was one of the best cakes I've ever had. And so easy! 

The frosting I used was one of those frostings your pour over your cake while it is still warm, which is perfect for me cause I despise having to wait til your cake is cooled to frost it! It's torture...

This cake is so moist and flavorful, you might just die.

Super Moist Chocolate Cherry Sheet Cake

Pre-heat oven to 350.

For the Cake:

1 (18.25oz) box chocolate cake mix

Oil, water and eggs called for on back of box

Replace as much of the water as you can with the maraschino cherry juice from the jars

2, 10 Oz. jars maraschino cherries, roughly chopped (reserve 1/2 cup for frosting)

2 Tsp. vanilla extract

2 Tsp. Cherry extract

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix til combined very well.

Grease a 9x13" pan, pour batter into pan and bake for 25-35 minutes, til only a few crumbs come out on a fork.

While cake is baking make your frosting.

For the Frosting:

1 Stick butter, cubed

1/4 cup milk

4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup reserved cherries

2 tsp. cherry extract

In a medium saucepan, melt butter and milk and bring to a boil.

Add in confectioners sugar and cherry extract and mix til smooth.

Stir in reserved cherries.

Pour frosting over warm cake!

EAT!

Just look at that moist gorgeous-ness!

Happy Friday :)

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Have you ever had a chocolate covered cherry?

Like a homemade, FRESH chocolate covered cherry?

Like, one that has this amazing sweet, chocolaty dough wrapped around it and then is dipped in wonderful, smooth chocolate????

Sooooooooo good.

You will love me for this. 

Even though they're a bit time consuming, it's not that bad, and it's completely worth every minute.

Every time I bring these somewhere, they disappear like you wouldn't believe!!!

So if you want to be everyone's favorite (excluding your fat jeans)- make these. 

And don't come crying to me when your fat pants don't fit.

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Makes 60 Cherries

-2 Jars Maraschino Cherries, about 60 cherries (Drained)

-3 Tbsp. Butter, melted

-2 Cups Confectioners Sugar

-1/4 Cup Cocoa

-Milk as needed

-1 Bag chocolate chips or 4ish (If I remember correctly) squares chocolate bark

1/2 stick butter (for melting the chocolate chips)

Drain Cherries on paper towels, and blot as much juice off as possible, without squishing the cherries.

For the dough:

Combine powdered sugar, cocoa and butter. 

Mix very well til dough comes together, but doesn't stick to the side of the bowl.

If dough is too dry, add a bit of milk at a time til it comes together and is form-able.

Form dough around the cherry so it looks like this ^

Once that's done to all the cherries, put them on a pan or plates (it really doesn't matter which) and place in the freezer for about an hour.

Melt chocolate chips with the butter at 30 second intervals until smooth.

Dunk cherries individually (using a spoon to help completely cover if needed) in the melted chocolate and set on a wax paper covered pan.

Once all the cherries are dipped, refrigerate until coating is hard.

You can totally eat immediately, and they're amazing....but they are their peak of perfection a few days later!!

Store in an air tight container in the fridge.

Enjoy :)