This easy 3-ingredient dessert is the kind of simple oven-baked treat that saves the day when you need something chocolatey, comforting, and quick to share. Using dry unbaked devil's food cake mix powder as the base gives you a rich, fudgy result with almost no fuss, and it is a fun choice for an International Youth Day dessert because it is easy enough to make with older kids helping in the kitchen.
Serve this warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a glass of cold milk for a cozy dessert everyone can enjoy. Fresh strawberries or raspberries on the side brighten up the deep chocolate flavor, and if you are setting out a family dessert table, this pairs nicely with coffee for adults and cocoa or milk for the kids.
3-Ingredient Oven Baked International Youth Day Dessert
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 box (15.25 ounces) dry devil's food cake mix
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease an oven-safe metal roasting pan.
2. Dump the dry devil's food cake mix powder into the roasting pan, add the cherry pie filling and eggs, and stir everything together until no dry patches remain.
3. Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted near the middle comes out with moist crumbs.
4. Let the dessert cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Variations & Tips
For a fudgier texture: Bake the dessert at the lower end of the time range and check it early. You want moist crumbs on the toothpick, not a completely dry center.
For picky eaters: If your family is unsure about fruit in chocolate desserts, stir the batter just enough to break up the cherries more evenly so the cherry flavor blends into the cake instead of staying in larger pieces.
Make it extra special: A dusting of powdered sugar or a spoonful of whipped cream on top makes this humble dessert feel party-ready without adding much work.
Pan tip: Because roasting pans can vary in depth and size, start checking a few minutes early if your batter is spread in a thinner layer. A thinner dessert will bake faster than one in a smaller, deeper pan.
