Black Forest Cherry Cake

Photo: flickr user avlxyz

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 ounces semisweet chocolate

1 stk butter

3/4 cup granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups whipping cream

2/3 cup confectioners sugar

cup kirsch

16 ounces can pitted red tart cherries drained (reserve liquid)

12 maraschino cherries w/stems

Chocolate curls

Preparation

CAKE:Need two 9-inch round cake pans. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In double boiler or microwave, melt chocolate over low heat. Cool. In another mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Add melted chocolate and gradually add the flour mixture. Add almond extract. Pour batter into greased and floured pans. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out

FILLING AND TOPPING:Need a pastry bag with a star tube. In a mixing bowl, beat cream until stiff. Gradually add confectioners' sugar. Sprinkle 1/3 kirsch on a layer of the cake. Cover with whipped cream and add 1/3 of the drained cherries. Place a second layer on top and repeat. Then a third. Top the cake with a fourth layer. Spread 2/3 of the remaining whipped cream on the top and sides of the cake. Place last amount of whipped cream in a pastry bag and pipe rosettes of