CHERRY FLIP RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out excess.
• Whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk the melted butter, buttermilk, egg, vanilla and 1/2 cup water together in another bowl until smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking until just combined. Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through cooking, until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
• Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Discard the parchment paper and flip the cakes right side up again. Let the cakes cool completely.
• Make the cherry filling: Quarter the cherries and transfer them to a medium bowl with the 2 tablespoons reserved syrup. Combine the gelatin with 1 tablespoon cold water in a small bowl and let stand for 5 minutes to soften. Heat the gelatin in the microwave until it melts completely, about 10 seconds, stirring to dissolve. Combine the gelatin, cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, salt and almond extract in a food processor and process until smooth. Scrape the cream cheese mixture into the bowl containing the cherries and stir to combine. Refrigerate, checking every 5 minutes, until the filling is just set enough to spread, 5 to 15 minutes. (Do not let the filling firm up too much.)
• Place one cake on a cake stand and pile the cherry filling in the center, spreading it in a thick layer almost to the edge. Top with the remaining cake, aligning the layers directly on top of each other so the cake does not lean. Refrigerate the assembled cake for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the chocolate ganache: Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan then remove from the heat. Add the chocolate, shaking the pan gently to submerge it. Allow the pan to stand, off the heat, for 3 minutes to melt the chocolate. Whisk the ganache until smooth, then refrigerate until it is just thick enough to spread (like mayonnaise), about 15 minutes. (Do not let the ganache harden too much.)
• 15 to 20 minutes. (Do not let the ganache harden too much.)
• Stir the ganache again and scoop it on top of the cake, spreading it over the top and sides. Refrigerate the cake until the ganache is set, at least 2 hours or overnight.

Steps:

• For the crust: Gradually work the butter and shortening into the flour in a large bowl using a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse meal, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat 1 egg with a fork in a small bowl and add it to the flour mixture. Add the water, sugar, white vinegar and salt. Stir gently to combine.
• Divide the dough in half and form each half into a ball. Place each in a large resealable plastic bag and flatten to about 1/2 inch thick using a rolling pin. Place the bags of dough in the freezer until you need them.
• For the filling: Combine the cherries and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook until the juices are hot and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook for 1 minute. Combine the cornstarch and lemon juice in a small bowl and add it to the cherry mixture. Continue to cook until glossy and thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely, about 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Remove the dough from the freezer and let thaw until slightly softened. Put a rack in the lowest position of the oven and preheat to 375 ̊. On a floured surface, roll out one round of dough into an 11-inch round, starting at the center and working your way out. Sprinkle some flour over the top of the dough if it’s a bit too moist. If the dough is sticking to the countertop, use a metal spatula to carefully scrape it up and flip it over.
• Lift the dough into a 9-inch pie pan and gently press it against the edges of the pan. Fill with the cooled cherry filling.
• Roll out the other round of dough to the same size and place it over the pie. Trim the excess dough around the edges and crimp the top and bottom crusts together to seal them. Cut a few vent holes in the top crust. Beat the remaining egg in a small bowl for the egg wash. Brush on the top crust and sprinkle with sugar.
• Put the pie on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake until the filling is bubbly and the crust is browned, about 1 hour 10 minutes. If the crust is browning too quickly, cover with foil and continue baking. Let cool about 2 hours before slicing. Serve with ice cream.