Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 13 x 9 pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place cake mix, pie filling, eggs and extract in a large mixing bowl. Blend with electric mixer for 1 minute on low. Stop mixer and scrape down sides of bowl. Mix at medium for 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a rubber spatula. Place into the oven and cook about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool cake while preparing the glaze. To make glaze place sugar, butter, and milk in a small saucepan over med/low heat and cook stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil.  Boil, stirring constantly, for one minute.  Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips.  When the chips have melted and the glaze is smooth, pour over the warm cake so it covers the entire surface.  Cool cake for 20 minutes or more before cutting into squares. 

Submitted by Melanie Hardy of Pelham who says, “This cake is delicious and was inspired by my father-in-law, Dick Hardy, who loves chocolate covered cherries. The homemade chocolate glaze is to die for!”