Cherry-Topped Chocolate Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 5 teaspoons baking cocoa, divided
• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 9 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 5 eggs
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Directions

• Coat a 9-in. springform pan with cooking spray; line with waxed paper and spray the paper. Dust with 2 teaspoons cocoa. Place pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square); securely wrap foil around pan.
• In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt butter and chocolate. Cool to lukewarm. In a large bowl, beat eggs and 1/2 cup sugar until thick and lemon-colored. Combine the remaining cocoa and sugar; beat into eggs. Add vanilla. Gradually beat in cooled chocolate mixture. Pour into prepared pan.
• Place pan in a large baking pan; add 3/4 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake at 325° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes.
• Carefully run a knife around edge of pan; cool completely. Serve with cherry pie filling and whipped cream. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 12-14 servings.

Cherry-Topped Chocolate Cake published in Country Woman January/February 2006, p43