Cherry Chocolate Layer Cake

Name: Cherry Chocolate Layer Cake
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; 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; 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

24 ingredients

4 steps

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
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
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

Directions

1

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.
2

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.
3

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.
4

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.