Cherry-Choco Bliss Cake

1. Prepare the Chocolate Cake:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and sugar.
• In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating until smooth.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
• Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin, but that’s okay—this will make the cake moist.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

2. Make the Cherry Filling:

• In a saucepan, combine the chopped cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the cherries release their juices and the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
• Once thickened, remove from heat and let it cool completely before using.

3. Prepare the Chocolate Frosting:

• In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth.
• Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and mix until combined.
• Stir in the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. If it’s too thick, add more cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.

4. Assemble the Cake:

• Once the cakes have cooled, carefully slice each cake in half horizontally, so you have four layers in total.
• Place the first layer of cake on a serving platter. Spread a generous amount of the cherry filling over the top.
• Place the second layer of cake on top and repeat the process with cherry filling.
• Add the third layer of cake and spread a layer of chocolate frosting on top. Place the fourth layer of cake on top and cover the entire cake with the chocolate frosting.
• Garnish the cake with fresh cherries, chocolate shavings or curls, and optional whipped cream.

5. Serve and Enjoy:

• Slice and serve your indulgent Cherry-Choco Bliss Cake for an unforgettable treat. The combination of chocolate, cherries, and creamy frosting will make this cake a new favorite!

Tips:

• For Extra Cherry Flavor: If you love a stronger cherry flavor, you can add a bit of cherry liqueur (like Kirsch) to the filling or drizzle over the cake layers.
• Cake Variations: You can make this cake into a single-layer sheet cake or cupcakes if preferred.
• Storage: Keep the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This Cherry-Choco Bliss Cake is the perfect combination of rich chocolate and juicy cherries, making it a decadent dessert for any occasion. Enjoy the blissful balance of flavors in each bite! 🍫🍒