Tomorrow is my husband’s birthday so we are doing a little crafting and caking!  I’ve been wanting to do this birthday banner for sometime.  You can actually buy it at Michael’s for a great price but it only comes in girl colors…so we are making our own.  The darling letters can be downloaded from marthastewart.com.  

I love the look of the above cake, which of course looks quite girly… I can’t help myself.  One thing about me is that I’m always trying new recipes for special occasions or company.  It’s usually better to go with what you know but it’s just how it works for me.  However, my husband has put a halt to all of this and has requested his favorite which I literally just made last week for company.  But it is his birthday…so that is what we will do.

I thought I’d share the recipe with you because EVERYONE I have ever made this cake for adores it and I have made it a lot.  I guess we will just have to come up with some cute decorations for the cake to spice it up a bit.

*Vegetable oil spray for the pan

*1 package of devils food cake (18.25 oz)

*1 can cherry pie filling (21 oz)

*2 large eggs

*1 teaspoon almond extract 

*1/2 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 oz)

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees

*spray pan (13×9)  with vegetable oil

*Mix cake mix, cherry pie filling, eggs, and almond extract on low speed for about a minute.  Scrape down sides and then mix on medium for about 2 more minutes

*Mix in by hand the chocolate chips (this is optional and you can add as many or as little as you like)

*Bake for 30-35 minutes depending on your oven.

*1 cup sugar

*1/3 cup butter 

*1/3 cup milk (whole or 2%)

*6 oz chocolate chips

*Place the sugar, butter and milk in a small saucepan over medium-low.  Stir constantly.  Bring to a boil.  Keep stirring for about a minute.  Take the mixture off the heat and then stir in the chocolate chips until melted and smooth. 

*Pour the glaze over the cake 

*Let cake cool for at least 20-30 minutes before cutting