Name: Cherry Garcia Sheet Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.; 1 white cake mix.; 3/4 cup water.; 1/2 cup sour cream.; 1/3 cup vegetable oil.; 1 teaspoon almond extract.; 4 egg whites.; 20 ounces maraschino cherries (2 jars), divided.; 1 cup butter, softened.; 4 cups powdered sugar.; 1 teaspoon almond extract.; 1/3 cup cherry juice (reserved).

A slice of layered cake featuring chocolate, whipped cream, cherries, and a decorative chocolate piece is served on a plate. | recipesim.com

Oh my goodness you need this cake in your life! I've taken all the amazing flavors of Cherry Garcia ice cream and turned them into the most incredible sheet cake ever. Let me tell you my kitchen smelled absolutely heavenly while testing this recipe. The combination of sweet cherries chocolate and that super moist cake had my family hovering around waiting for that first slice.

A Slice of Heaven

You know those desserts that make everyone's eyes light up? This is definitely one of them. Each bite is loaded with juicy cherries and melty chocolate chips all wrapped up in the most tender cake you can imagine. The secret ingredient? A dollop of sour cream that makes everything perfectly moist and adds just the right tang.

My Shopping List

White Cake Mix: 1 box grab whatever brand you love I won't judge
Chocolate Chips: 1 cup I like semisweet but milk chocolate works too
Sour Cream: 1 cup pull it out early so it's not cold
Vegetable Oil: ⅓ cup nothing fancy needed here
Egg Whites: from 3 large eggs they make the cake so fluffy
Almond Extract: 1 teaspoon trust me on this one
Maraschino Cherries: 1 jar chop them up nice and small

Let's Bake Together

[First Things First]: Take those chocolate chips and toss them with a spoonful of cake mix. This little trick keeps them from sinking to the bottom.
[Mix It Up]: Now grab your mixer and beat together the cake mix sour cream oil almond extract and those egg whites. Two minutes is perfect you want everything smooth and happy.
[Cherry Time]: Fold in those gorgeous cherries and our coated chocolate chips. Be gentle we want everything evenly spread through the batter.
[Into the Oven]: Pour it all into your greased pan and pop it in a 350°F oven. In about 30 minutes your kitchen will smell amazing.

A slice of layered cake with pink frosting, cherries on top, and chocolate drizzle is presented on a white plate. | recipesim.com

Cherry Magic

Here's a game changing tip I learned after making this cake dozens of times. Give those cherries a good pat down with paper towels before chopping. It keeps the moisture just right so you get perfect cherry flavor in every bite without making the cake soggy.

The Perfect Topping

My family goes crazy for the frosting on this cake. I whip up butter and powdered sugar until it's super fluffy then add just a splash of that cherry juice. It turns the prettiest pink color and tastes absolutely divine.

No Sinking Ships

Want to know why I coat the chocolate chips in cake mix? This genius little move keeps them floating beautifully throughout the cake. Nothing worse than all your chocolate ending up at the bottom trust me I learned this one the hard way.

A Little Something Extra

That tiny bit of almond extract might seem like no big deal but it makes all the difference. It brings out the cherry flavor in the most amazing way. Just don't get heavy handed with it a little goes a long way.

A slice of colorful cake topped with pink frosting and red and black cherries, served on a white plate. | reciipesim.com

Quick and Easy

Starting with a cake mix is my secret weapon for busy days. Sometimes I even chop my cherries the night before so when I'm ready to bake everything comes together in a snap.

Perfect Every Time

I always give my pan a little shake to level out the batter. Keep an eye on it while it bakes and rotate the pan halfway through if your oven cooks unevenly like mine does. You'll know it's done when a toothpick comes out clean.

Serving Time

While this cake is amazing right away I actually love it even more after it's had a little chill time in the fridge. The flavors seem to get even better and those clean slices are totally Instagram worthy.

Make it Special

Want to really wow your guests? Add a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to each slice. Sometimes I drizzle extra melted chocolate on top because more chocolate is always a good idea.

A slice of creamy cherry dessert topped with vibrant red cherries is served on a white plate. | recipesim.com

Save Some For Later

Pop any leftover slices in an airtight container and into the fridge. They'll stay perfect for several days if they last that long. Between us the cake almost tastes better the next day when all those flavors have had time to mingle.

Freezer Friends

Sometimes I make this cake ahead and freeze it unfrosted. Just wrap it up tight and it'll keep for a month. Then I can pull it out thaw it and add fresh frosting whenever I need a quick dessert.

Switch Things Up

Feel like experimenting? Try using chocolate cake mix instead of white or throw in some chopped nuts for crunch. You can even play with different extracts to create your own signature version.

Troubleshooting Tips

If your cake comes out too dense you probably mixed it a bit too much. And if it's dry check your oven temperature sometimes they can run hot. A few minutes less baking time might be all you need.

A slice of layered cherry cake topped with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and cherries, served on a white plate. | recipesim.com

Party Perfect

When I'm making this for a party I love adding extra cherries and chocolate shavings on top. It makes such a pretty presentation and people always reach for seconds.

Fun with Kids

My little ones love helping me make this cake. They're pros at stirring in the cherries and chocolate chips. And licking the frosting bowl clean of course.

Crowd Favorite

Every time I bring this cake to a gathering people go crazy for it. The combination of cherries and chocolate just hits all the right notes. Don't be surprised if you start getting special requests for birthdays and potlucks.

Sweet Success

This Cherry Garcia Sheet Cake has become my signature dessert. It's simple enough for everyday but special enough for celebrations. Give it a try and watch how quickly it becomes your new favorite too.

A glass dish filled with a creamy dessert topped with red cherries and scattered chocolate bits. | recipesim.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why coat chocolate chips in cake mix?: Coating chocolate chips with dry cake mix helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake while baking.
→ Why pat cherries dry?: Drying cherries prevents excess moisture from affecting the cake texture and frosting consistency. This ensures better distribution and prevents bleeding.
→ Why use only egg whites?: Using only egg whites helps maintain the cake's light texture and allows the cherry and chocolate flavors to shine through.
→ How do I adjust frosting consistency?: Add more cherry juice for thinner frosting or more powdered sugar for thicker frosting until reaching desired spreading consistency.
→ Can I make this ahead?: Yes, the cake can be made ahead. Ensure it's completely cool before frosting, and store covered at room temperature.

Cherry Garcia Sheet Cake