BLACK FOREST CHOCOLATE TORTE

Black Forest Chocolate Torte image

If you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty-stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling-will have everyone talking. -Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h15m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

2/3 cup butter, softened
1-3/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1-1/4 cups water
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
CHOCOLATE FILLING:
6 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
WHIPPED CREAM:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
TOPPING:
1-1/2 cups sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup cherry pie filling

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 4 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment., Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in water just until blended. , In a microwave, melt unsweetened chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with chocolate mixture, beating after each addition. Divide batter among prepared pans., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., For chocolate filling, melt chocolate in a microwave; stir until smooth. Stir in butter until blended. Stir in almonds., For whipped cream, in a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form., To assemble, place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/3 cup chocolate filling and 1 cup whipped cream. Repeat layers twice. Top with the remaining cake and chocolate filling. , Spread remaining whipped cream over sides of cake. Press almonds onto sides. Spoon pie filling over top of cake. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 596 calories, Fat 41g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 124mg cholesterol, Sodium 210mg sodium, Carbohydrate 46g carbohydrate (26g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 8g protein.