Chocolate Cherry Mud Cake
This dessert is all about indulgence without the hassle. It fits the bill for “easy decadence”—just three simple ingredients, one pan, and a fudgy, cherry-filled creation that will likely have everyone asking for more.
Think of it as a cross between chocolate pudding and a chewy brownie, studded with large cherries that provide a burst of flavor in every bite. In other words, it won’t cut like a regular cake as it’s too soft…it’s more of a scoop-into-small-bowls kind of dessert, lol. Also, it’s not overly sweet like a traditional chocolate dessert, but totally hits the high notes with a perfect balance of chocolatey cherry bliss.
You can easily grab bags of sweet frozen cherries year-round in your grocery store… and use any brand of berry or cherry-flavored sparkling water (remember, you only add “one cup” sparkling water, not the entire can).
Another key asset? No mixing bowls needed—everything comes together right in the baking dish, making cleanup so easy. You’re so welcome 😉
I find this perfect for when cravings strike—and I want something self-indulgent, but with far less sugar, calories, fat and carbs than a typical mud pie or rich cake. You can use any favorite brand of chocolate cake mix, just be sure to just measure out 1.5 cups worth. You can use the rest for Chocolate Mug Cake. Guys, this one is hard to resist!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Not all gluten-free cake mixes will work with this recipe, so check out the Note section for tips on making this gluten-free. Also, I use a 9×13 pan, but if you want to change things up, the Note section includes info for adjusting to different pan sizes. While this dessert is at its best served warm, allowing the fudgy texture to truly stand out, I can also attest that the leftovers are pretty darn delish from the fridge (and you can easily reheat leftovers in the microwave, if you prefer). Top it with a squirt of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream—and fancy it up with a light sprinkling of cocoa powder for an extra treat!
Try my 3-Ingredient Berry Cobbler!
Chocolate Cherry Mud Cake
Ingredients
- 4 cups sweet pitted frozen cherries
- 1 ½ cups chocolate boxed cake mix
- 1 cup berry or cherry-flavored sparkling water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly mist a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Spread the sweet, pitted cherries evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. There’s no need to thaw the frozen cherries – add to the pan straight from the freezer, breaking up any clumps. Sprinkle the chocolate cake mix (just 1.5 cups worth) evenly over the cherries. Then, pour the 1 cup sparkling water (NOTE: it’s just 1 cup—not the entire can) over the top and gently stir everything together in the dish until the cake mix is fully combined. It will take a few minutes to fully blend the mixture, and it will become nice and thick.
- Bake for about 50 minutes, until the top is set, and the center remains fudgy and gooey.
- Let cool slightly, then scoop into bowls and serve warm. For an extra treat, top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
• Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or enjoy it cold for a firmer texture. Ingredient swaps:
• You can try a different cake mix, like vanilla or yellow, for a non-chocolate twist. Although, I haven’t tested this yet and so I’m not sure what the resulting color will look like. The cherries will likely bleed and stain the lighter cake mix a tone of light pink. • Not all gluten-free cake mixes will work. I have not tried this personally, I know this only from followers who have reported success using King Arthur GF cake mix and Wegmans GF cake mix, and adding 1 ½ cups of sparkling water (versus one cup). Various pan sizes:
• If you don’t have a 9×13 pan or want to experiment with different pan sizes, here’s how to adjust for an 8×8 or 9×9 square pan: Reduce the ingredients by about a third; 2 ½ cups frozen cherries, 1 cup chocolate cake mix, and ⅔ cup sparkling water. The bake time will also likely be shortened, so start checking for doneness at 40-45 minutes, but keep an eye on the center to ensure it stays set but fudgy.
It’s like an easy Black Forest cake!
Hi and thanks for your feedback! I hope it becomes a go-to treat for you 😉
—Team Joy
This is actually a question – could you use mixed berries instead of cherries?
Hi Judie. Thanks for your question! You can absolutely use mixed berries. Just make sure the strawberry slices found within the mix aren’t too big. If they are, you can remove the biggest ones out or slice them up so they’re smaller. We hope you love the recipe as much as we do! 🙂
—Team Joy
Easy delicious treat, love the combination of chocolate & cherry
Hi Kip! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe. We agree, chocolate and cherry is an excellent combo! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Have you tried this with a sugar free/zero sugar cake mix?
Hi Cynthia. Folks have tried standard cake mix containing sugar-free substitutes with great success. We do know that not all gluten-free cake mixes work; check the notes section for details on two that work well. And keep in mind that you may need a bit of extra sparkling water if you use a gluten-free mix. We’d love to hear your feedback if you decide to try it out! Happy cooking 🙂
—Team Joy
Quick, easy and taste is perfect!
Hi Virginia! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe and thanks for stopping by to share your comments!
—Team Joy
Can you use fresh or jarred cherries?
Hi Martha. You can use fresh cherries but they have to be pitted, so it would be much more labor-intensive if they’re whole cherries with pits. That’s the reason Joy uses sweet frozen pitted. Please let us know if you decide to give it a shot—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
—Team Joy
Joy,
Can you use a sugar-free cake mix? This is pretty high in carbs!
Hi Susan. Folks have tried standard cake mix with sugar-free substitutes with great success. We do know that not all gluten-free cake mixes work. Please be sure to check out the notes section for more details on two that work great. And keep in mind that you may need a bit of extra sparkling water if you use a gluten-free mix. Please let us know if you decide to try it—we’d love to hear your thoughts.
—Team Joy
Do you have to use flavored sparkling water?
Hi Julie. Joy hasn’t personally tried it with plain sparkling water, but she imagines it should still work! However, using berry or cherry sparkling water will add an extra layer of flavor (from the subtle natural flavor) and will likely enhance the overall experience. Feel free to experiment and let us know how it turns out!
—Team Joy
I love the convenience of a boxed mix but I affectionately call them chemical cakes… I trust your judgement though. Looks delicious!!
Lisa, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I totally get where you’re coming from—I’m not a frequent user of boxed mixes myself, but sometimes they’re just too convenient to pass up. This recipe was a fun way to make something quick and indulgent, while substantially cutting down on the sugar and saturated fat found in comparable desserts. I promise if I come across a boxed mix with super-clean ingredients that fits the bill, I’ll be sure to share it with everyone! Your support and trust mean a lot—and I’m so grateful you’re here!!
Delicious! Thank you! Next time I might try mixing the mix and water first and then adding the cherries after, the clunky frozen cherries made it a little hard to combine ☺️
Hi! Can you use a brownie mix instead of the cake mix?
Thank you!
Hi Patty. This is on Joy’s list of things to test. We’re not sure if the same amounts will work, but at some point we plan to find out, and we’ll be back to let you know. Thanks for your interest and for your question!
—Team Joy
Can you use keto or sugar free cake mix??
Hi Amy. Folks have tried standard cake mix with sugar-free substitutes, and have had great success. We’re not sure about keto cake mixes, though—we haven’t tried the recipe with these yet. We do know that not all gluten-free cake mixes work. Please be sure to check out the notes section for more details on two that work great. And keep in mind that you may need a bit of extra sparkling water if you use a gluten-free mix. We’d love to hear your thoughts if you decide to try it!
—Team Joy
Can I use sugar free cake mix with this recipe? I can’t wait to make this!
Hi Patricia! This recipe works great with a standard sugar-free cake mix (when I say “standard”, I’m referring to one with regular flour — that’s because alternative flours such as gluten-free and keto formulations are trickier to work with, and therefore not all brands and varieties will result in a successful outcome). Hope this helps!
Can you add chocolate chips to this recipe?
Sure can, Laurie! The addition of chocolate chips will only make it sweeter, more indulgent and delicious 😉 Hoping you love this one… let me know what you think after you try it!
Instead of sparkling water, could I use a diet soda?
Hi Joan! Yes, you can definitely use diet soda instead of sparkling water, and it will make the dessert sweeter. However, I tend to avoid using diet soda because of the artificial sweeteners. While I don’t personally recommend it, it will absolutely work well if that’s your preference. Let me know how it turns out!
I used Canada dry gingerale zero sugar that has splash of cherry flavoring. We loved it. I will pick up sparkling water for next time! Thank you for the recipes. Tune in on Fridays especially for your new ideas!
Hi Joan. Joy uses flavored sparkling water to avoid artificial sweeteners, but we imagine that yours was sweet and delicious with the ingredient swap! What matters most is that you had a great experience, and we’re so glad you were able to enjoy the recipe. Thanks for tuning in to watch Joy and for sharing your feedback!
—Team Joy
Hi I just have a question, could I use cherry pie filling instead of pitted cherries?
Hi Mo. You can and it will probably be delicious (yet, higher in sugar). I haven’t had a chance to test it, but my gut tells me it would work perfectly! Please report back if you decide to try it—we’d love to hear your feedback! 🙂
Do you think I could use 1.5 cups of Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix instead of chocolate cake mix? The cake mix has leavening in it that the brownie mix does not have.
Hi Kay! I haven’t tried this with brownie mix yet, but it’s definitely on my list – in fact, you’re not the only one curious about it! I’m sorry I don’t have an answer for you just yet, but when I do test it out, I’ll be sure to share the results. And if you give it a go before I do, please let me know how it turns out. Thanks so much for being here!
Love! Made per instructions for a 8×8 pan and added small handful of mini chocolate chips for an awesome (not too guilty) sweet treat. Thanks, Joy! I love your simple and delicious recipes to put a healthy twist on good food!
Hi! Thanks so much for sharing your comments and I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Also, love your addition of the mini chocolate chips to add an extra sweet finishing touch!
This was so yummy. Reminded me of pudding cakes we had when I was younger. I’m trying it with red raspberry next time
Hi Lynn. We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts…and please let us know what you think about the raspberry version if you decide to try it. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
—Team Joy
Love this recipe!!! When I decided to make it a second time, I realized we didn’t have any sparkling water. I decided to use Coke Zero as a substitute….AMAZING. I also took it out a little sooner (47 minutes) because it looked set. It felt even fudgier and richer with the Coke Zero. Love it both ways!
Hi Leigh! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe! And a total clutch home chef move, by the way, to be crafty with what you have in the kitchen to pull off a recipe with substitute ingredients. So glad it worked out for you!
Hi Joy, This was left out of the fridge overnight, will it still be okay to eat?
Thanks.
Hi Laurie. Apologies for the delayed response, but the answer is yes, you can eat this once it’s been left out overnight.
—Team Joy
Hi☺️
Your recipe looks and sounds yummy.
I’m going to make it with what I have available. Starting off with apples, spice cake mix, and lemon sparkling water.
Hopefully it will all come together.
Thank you for your amazing inspirations.
Hi PJ. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts! Hoping you love it as much as we do!
—Team Joy
Can I use flavored seltzer for the sparkling water?
Hi Shelly. Yes! They’re the same thing, so feel free to swap in your favorite brand and flavor. We hope you love the recipe as much as we do.
—Team Joy
This was surprisingly good and light! I used a Betty Crocker Triple Chocolate Fudge mix and a Bubbly cherry seltzer. The six of us finished off the 9×13 pan with a bit of whipped cream.
Hi Janice – thanks so much for your comment! Sounds delicious, we’re so glad you’re as excited about this recipe as we are!
-Alison
Delicious…definitely a keeper. It did not disappoint.
Hi Fran, thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comment! We’re so glad the recipe was a hit…feel free to whip it up whenever a sweet craving strikes or simply when you’re in the mood for something chocolatey 🙂
—Donna
Can you use non flavored sparkling water?
Hi Krista, great question! Yes, you can absolutely use plain sparkling water—it may be just a touch less flavorful since the flavored varieties add a hint of natural fruit essence. That said, Joy is confident it will still taste great thanks to the delicious flavors of the cherries and cake. If you give it a try, we’d love to hear how it turns out!
—Donna
Ridiculously good and too easy – you’re a genius!
Thanks so much.
Hi Beth, we’re so happy you enjoyed the recipe and found it easy to prepare! Thanks for sharing the love!
—Donna
3 ingredients and it is absolutely delicious! This couldn’t be any easier!
Hi Denise, we’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe and found it easy to prepare. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us!
—Donna
Seriously, this is amazing and so rich that a bit will satisfy my sweet tooth! Thank you so much – I will have this on repeat! ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Angela, we’re so happy this recipe hits the sweet spot! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and for being a member of our community!
—Donna
I made this (it was easy enough for me!) and it was everything you said- fudgy and fruity (I loved the cherries) and truly delicious. I’m going to try it in an 8×8 bc the full recipe is too much and too hard to resist not to! Thanks Joy!
Love this review so much!! Fudgy, fruity, and easy—yes!! So glad you enjoyed it!
Have you ever used sugar free cake mixes with this?
Hi Bunnie! I haven’t tested this recipe with a sugar-free cake mix, but a few people have commented on social media saying they swapped in a sugar-free boxed cake mix and it turned out great. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
Can you use brownie mix instead of chocolate cake mix? I made your strawberry shortcake cobbler and love❤️❤️!
Hi Susan, I’m so happy you loved the strawberry shortcake cobbler! And great question: yes, you can use brownie mix instead of chocolate cake mix for the chocolate cherry mud cake…. just keep in mind it’ll come out a bit fudgier and richer (which honestly sounds pretty fabulous!). Let me know how it turns out if you give it a go!
What should I do with the left over cake mix?
Hi Bridget! We hope you loved the Chocolate Cherry Mud Cake recipe. If you have leftover cake mix, amazing! This means you can make the Chocolate Cherry version again, or try out this Chocolate Mug Cake. It only requires 3 tablespoons of the fudgy chocolate cake mix, so you’ll have lots on hand whenever the craving strikes. We love how this recipe is the perfect portion to satisfy any sweet, chocolatey craving. Let us know what you think! — Eliza (Team Joy)
This is the best cake I’ve ever made! So moist, perfect texture, delicious taste, and literally with cherries on top. I think it’s healthy because of the amount of cherries in the recipe. Also it’s so easy to make. Thank you so much!
What an amazing review—thank you!! I’m thrilled you loved it. And you’re spot on about the cherries… they’re loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, plus they add natural sweetness and juicy goodness to every bite. So happy it was a winner! ❤️
Can you use frozen blueberries and a vanilla or butter cake mix in this recipe?
Hi Maryb! Love this idea! You can definitely swap in frozen blueberries. No need to thaw them first; add them straight from the freezer so they don’t bleed too much color into the batter and break them up to leave any ice crystals behind. And yes, you can try a vanilla or butter cake mix in place of the chocolate. It’ll change the flavor profile (more fruity and light versus rich and chocolatey), but it should still bake up beautifully. If you give it a try, let us know how it turns out…we’d love to hear! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Have you tried a sugar free cake mix?
Hi Judy! Yes! Many people have had great success using sugar-free cake mixes in this recipe. The only thing to keep in mind is if you’re using a gluten-free mix—just be sure it’s made with a 1:1 baking flour blend. Some gluten-free flours can behave differently in baking, so a proper 1:1 blend will give you the best results. Enjoy! — Eliza (Team Joy)
Joy, love your recipes!
Hi Paula, Thank you so much! Joy is so thrilled to hear how much you love her recipes. We hope you enjoy this yummy Mud Cake as much as we do! — Eliza (Team Joy)
This was so good, Joy! Thank you!
Hi Minda, We’re so happy to hear that you loved this recipe! Thanks for your feedback!— Eliza (Team Joy)