Haunted Black Forest Layer Cake - Martha Stewart Halloween 2007

Ingredients

For Chocolate Genoise

• 1 1/3 cups sifted cake flour
• 2 pinches salt
• 1/3 cup unsweetened dutch cocoa, plus more
• unsweetened dutch cocoa, for pans
• 6 large eggs
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more
• unsalted butter, for pans

For Kirsch Simple Syrup

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup kirsch

For Cherry Filling

• 2 lbs frozen black cherries, thawed and drained, juice reserved
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons kirsch
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

For Ganache

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

For Espresso Whipped Cream

• 3 cups cold heavy cream
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons good quality instant espresso powder, dissolved in 2 teaspoons of water

Directions

1. 1

   Make the genoise: Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with rack in lower third. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment; butter the parchment. Dust with cocoa powder, tapping out excess.

2. 2

   Whisk together flower, salt, and cocoa powder in a bowl.

3. 3

   Put eggs, egg yolks, and granulated sugar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Set over (not touching) a pan of simmering water, and whisk until sugar has dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch. Attach bowl to mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. Raise speed to high. Beat until mixture is pale and thick, about 4 minutes more.

4. 4

   Remove bowl from mixer. Sift flour mixture over the top; using large rubber spatula, carefully fold into egg mixture, cutting through middle and lifting gently over sides. When almost incorporated, pour melted butter down side of bowl; gently fold in to incorporate.

5. 5

   Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake until centers spring back when lightly touched, about 15 minutes.

6. 6

   Let cool in pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around sides of pan. Invert onto rack; remove parchment, and turn right side up on rack.

7. 7

   Make the Kirsch simple syrup: Heat sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in kirsch. (The syrup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 month).

8. 8

   Make the cherry filling: Whisk reserved cherry juice, sugar, kirsch, and cornstarch in a small saucepan until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly. Combine syrup and cherries in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 days.

9. 9

   Make the ganache: Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour over chocolate in a bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Slowly whisk until smooth. Let cool completely, stirring often with a rubber spatula.

10. 10

    Make the espresso whipped cream: Beat cream until soft peaks form. Add sugar and espresso powder, and beat until soft peaks return.

11. 11

    Assemble the cake: Slice each cake in half horizontally. Place once cake layer, cut side up, on a cake stand. Brush top with 1/4 cup kirsch syrup. Spread with 2 cups whipped cream, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Remove cherries from filling syrup with slotted spoon, and transfer to medium bowl. Scatter 1 1/4 cup cherries evenly over whipped cream. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons filling syrup. Repeat 2 times . Place final cake layer, cut side down, on top, and spread with ganache. Serve immediately.