Chocolate Cherry Cheese Torte

1 (18.25 ounce) box chocolate cake mix
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon cherry extract
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
1/2 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Additional whipped topping (garnish)
Whole maraschino cherries (garnish)

Lightly grease and flour a 12 x16-inch sheet pan; set aside.

Heat oven and prepare cake mix according to package directions. Spread into prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool completely, then cut into 4 equal rectangular pieces.

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese, sugar and extract with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; stir in chopped cherries and carefully fold in whipped topping. Place one cake piece on a large rectangular serving platter and spread with 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice more and top with the last piece of cake. Chill until ready to serve.

Before serving, garnish with whipped topping and whole maraschino cherries.

Makes 12 servings.

Nutrition Per Serving: 390 calories, 5 g protein, 23 g total fat (10 g sat.), 44 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 34 g sugar, 55 mg cholesterol, 440 mg sodium, 9.5 points