Valentines Chocolate Cherry Cake

In 1982, I was lonely and house bound with an infant in a strange city. I kept myself entertained during the day between diaper changes with cooking my way through each issue of Bon Appite'.  I came across a recipe in the mail section that wasn't sophisticated enough for the edtorials but it was a hit with me and has served me well over the years.  I make most things from scratch but this is one of those crowd pleasers made by dumping a cake mix and a few other things in a bowl.  The cherries and rich chocolate glaze make this just right for Valentines.

2 eggs
1 tsp almond extract
1 (18 oz.) pkg chocolate fudge cake mix
1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 in. baking dish with butter. Combine eggs and extract in large bowl and beat with an electric mixer.  Add cake mix and pie fillling. Batter will be thick and lumpy.  Bake 25-30 mins.  Remove from oven and prepare glaze while cake cools.

For the glaze:

5 tbls butter
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup whole milk
6 oz chocolate chips

Combine the butter sugar and milk in a heavy sauce pan bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring contantly.  Boil for 1 minute then add chocolate chips and stir until chips and blend until smooth.  Pour over warm cake.  When cool cut into squares and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.