A quick and easy-to-make homemade chocolate cake with dollops of cherry pie filling baked right into the cake. Serve topped with whipped cream.

Choco-Cherry Squares

2 cups all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
4 large eggs
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling

Sweetened whipped cream for accompaniment

1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl combine flour and cocoa, mixing well; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, vanilla and almond extract. Add eggs; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until well mixed. Spread batter into prepared pan. Spoon 12 (1 tablepoon each) dollops of pie filling over batter in three rows of four.
4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until top springs back when cake is touched lightly in center.
5. Serve squares with a dollop of whipped cream and, if desired, any remaining cherry pie filling.

Makes 12 servings.