CHERRY CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Cherry Chocolate Layer Cake image

Heads will turn when you bring this unforgettable cake to the table. And the attention will only increase when you start cutting-revealing the creamy, luscious cherry filling. -Victoria Faulling, Methuen, Massachusetts

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup baking cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
2/3 cup finely chopped pecans
2/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries
FROSTING:
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup half-and-half cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate curls and maraschino cherry, optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition., Transfer to two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and extract until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar and cherry juice; beat until smooth. Stir in pecans and cherries. In another bowl, combine the frosting ingredients; beat until smooth., Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup filling. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls and a cherry if desired. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 899 calories, Fat 43g fat (23g saturated fat), Cholesterol 146mg cholesterol, Sodium 606mg sodium, Carbohydrate 125g carbohydrate (99g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 9g protein.