Cherry Chocolate Marble Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 6 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
• 6 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) sour cream
• 3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
• Confectioners' sugar, optional

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the cherry juice, water and extract; mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition.
• Divide batter in half. To one portion, add cherries and walnuts; mix well. To the second portion, add chocolate; mix well. Spoon half of the cherry mixture into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Cover with half of the chocolate mixture. Repeat layers.
• Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners; sugar if desired. Yield: 10-12 servings.

Cherry Chocolate Marble Cake published in Country Extra July 1998, p49