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Decadent Chocolate Cherry Cake

Inspired by the classic German Black Forest cake, this recipe features layers of moist chocolate cake, sweet cherry filling, and a glossy ganache finish.
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Ingredients
  

For the cake layers:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder preferably Dutch-processed
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup hot water

For the ganache:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 oz dark chocolate chopped

Filling and garnish:

  • 1 cup cherry pie filling
  • Maraschino cherries

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
  • Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until smooth. Gradually mix in hot water to form a thin, glossy batter.
  • Divide batter evenly among pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
  • Heat heavy cream in a saucepan until it simmers. Pour over chocolate, let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Cool slightly.
  • Spread cherry pie filling on one cake layer, drizzle with ganache. Repeat with layers, then frost the entire cake with ganache. Garnish with cherries and remaining filling.