BLACK FOREST CAKE

BLACK FOREST CAKE!

Ingredients:

For the chocolate cake:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup hot water

For the filling and frosting:

For the fillings

2 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and halved

2 tablespoons cherry liqueur (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract, and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Reduce the speed to low and add the hot water, mixing until the batter is smooth.

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream and confectioners' sugar together until stiff peaks form.

Use a serrated knife to level the tops of the cake layers if necessary. Place one cake layer on a plate or cake stand. Spread a layer of whipped cream on top of the cake, then top with a layer of cherries. Repeat with the remaining cake layer, saving some whipped cream for the outside of the cake.

Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Decorate the top of the cake with chocolate shavings or curls and additional cherries, if desired.