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Cake:
1 Chocolate Cake, prepared in 3 8- or 9-inch round layers
Cherry Filling:
1 cup canned pitted tart red cherries
1 tablespoon kirsch (may substitute Kahlua or strong coffee if no kirsch is available)
Whipped Cream
3 cups whipping cream
4 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon kirsch
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, grated
Note: I recommend that you read the entire recipe at least one day before baking this. There are several steps and things that have to be cooled; planning ahead will greatly reduce the amount of time spent cooking.
Cake: Line the bottoms three 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Grease and flour sides of pans.
Beat egg whites will soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/2 cup of the sugar, beating till stiff peaks form. Set aside. In separate mixing bowl, sift together flour, remaining 1 cup of sugar, soda, and salt. Add vegetable oil and 1/2 cup of the buttermilk to the flour mixture; beat 1 minute at medium speed on electric mixer. Scrape bowl often.
Add remaining buttermilk, 2 egg yolks, and two 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled. Beat 1 minute longer, scraping bowl frequently. Gently fold in egg white mixture. Pour into three greased and lightly floured 9 x 1 1/2-inch round pans. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely on racks. Set aside.
Cherry filling: Rinse and drain cherries; dry thoroughly on paper towels. Combine cherries and kirsch. Chill 3-4 hours or overnight. Drain thoroughly, but do not rinse.
Whipped cream:Whip whipping cream at high speed till lightly thickened; gradually add powdered sugar; whip till thick and fluffy. Fold in kirsch till just absorbed. Chill till ready to use.
To assemble: Spread a half-inch layer of whipped cream over one cake layer. Spread cherry filling over the whipped cream, leaving a half-inch gap around the outer edge. Gently place the second cake layer atop this; coat second cake layer with another half-inch layer of whipped cream. Gently place the third cake layer atop this; spread the top layer and sides with remaining whipped cream. Garnish with dollops of whipped cream. Sprinkle top and sides with chocolate curls. Decorate with maraschino cherries if desired. Chill 2 hours.