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Cherry Chocolate Layer Cake

Name: Cherry Chocolate Layer Cake
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 12 servings.
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

1 review

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 35 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Sep. 23, 2022

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

Cherry Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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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

Directions

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

1 piece: 899 calories, 43g fat (23g saturated fat), 146mg cholesterol, 606mg sodium, 125g carbohydrate (99g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein.

Cherry Chocolate Layer Cake

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

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