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A Birthday Celebration

Happy Birthday, to the best husband and father we could ask for!!
Hope you are enjoying your favorite cake!

Black Forest Cake
(Chocolate Ecstasy)
6 eggs
1 scant cup superfine sugar*
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
***
For the filling and topping:
4 Tbls. Kirsch, optional
2 1/2 cups whipping cream
2 Tbls. confectioners' sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 lb. jar pitted morello cherries, drained**
***
To decorate:
confectioners' sugar, for dusting
grated chocolate
chocolate curls
fresh or drained canned morello cherries
~~~~~
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease three 8" layer cake pans*** and line the base of each with a circle of baking parchment or wax paper. Whisk the eggs with the sugar and vanilla in a bowl until pale and very thick--the mixture should separate into long strands when the whisk is lifted.
2. Sift the flour and cocoa over the mixture and fold in lightly and evenly. Stir in the melted butter.
3. Divide the mixture evenly among the prepared cake pans, smoothing them level. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until well risen and springy to the touch. Let cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks and let cool completely.
4. Prick each layer all over with a skewer or fork, then sprinkle with Kirsch. Whip the cream in a bowl until it starts to thicken, then beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla until the mixture starts to form soft peaks.
5. Spread on cake layer with a thick layer of whipped cream and top with a quarter of the cherries. Spread a second layer of whipped cream and cherries , then place it on top of the first layer. Top with the final layer.
6. Frost the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Transfer the cake to a plate dusted with confectioners' sugar. Cover the sides with grated chocolate and decorate the cake with the chocolate curls and cherries.
*I just use regular granulated sugar
**I've never been able to find this type of cherry where I live, so I use cherry pie filling and simple fish out the cherries one-by-one with a spoon~they are delicious that way!
***I don't have that many layer cake pans, so I use 2--9'' pans and it's perfect that way, too.

Comments

steviewren said…
Happy Birthday to the "Best Husband and Father!"

Lora, that cake looks so delicious! My mouth is watering.
Michelle M. said…
Happy Birthday to your hubby! That cake looks delicious!
Betsy Brock said…
Wow...that cake is amazing! I want a piece for breakfast right now! Seriously, Lora...good job!
Glad the celebration was a happy one!
Lisa said…
The cake turned out beautifully. Happy Birthday to Vince!
Happy Birthday to Vince! Your cake looks scrumptious!
Happy Birthday to your Hubby and that cake is so beautiful and a favorite of mine too.

Have A Terrific Tuesday
from Roberta Anne
Alice said…
happy birthday! i want some of that yummy looking cake! it looks wonderful. i'll have to print the recipe :O). thanks for visiting my blog, as well :O).
Thanks for all of those very sweet comments about the cake:) I must say, it did taste very yummy!

Thanks for all of the b-day wishes for Vince, too, he had a great day!
Lorie said…
That looks divine!!
joyh82 said…
Wow, that cake looks super good. Happy belated bday to your dh!
Nancy said…
That cake looks amazing! I am so jealous...and hungry!

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