CHERRY LAYER CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Cool for 10 minutes before removing cakes from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and ricotta until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and extracts; beat until smooth. , Drain cherries well, reserving 1 teaspoon cherry juice. Chop cherries. Stir chopped cherries, chocolate chips and reserved cherry juice into ricotta mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until spreadable., In another large bowl, cream shortening and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Add enough water to achieve a spreadable consistency. Tint 3/4 cup frosting pink. Tint 1/4 cup frosting green. Set aside 1-1/2 cups white frosting., Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place one layer on a serving plate; spread with a third of the filling. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining white frosting over the top and sides of cake , To decorate, cut a small hole in the corner of pastry or plastic bag; insert tip #5. Fill the bag with reserved white frosting; pipe vines on cake. Change to shell tip #21; pipe shell border along bottom and top edges. Use petal tip #103 and pink frosting to pipe the rosebuds. Use leaf tip #67 and green frosting to pipe the leaves. Store in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Butter 3 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper cut to fit. Butter and flour pans; set aside.
• Combine 1 1/4 cups butter, water, and unsweetened baking chocolate in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5-7 minutes or until mixture is melted and smooth. Remove from heat; cool slightly.
• Combine 2 1/2 cups flour, 2 1/2 cups sugar, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in large bowl; mix well. Add chocolate mixture; beat on low until just combined. Add eggs; beat on medium speed until well mixed.
• Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 22-24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes. Carefully remove cake from pan and place onto cooling rack; cool completely.
• Reduce oven to 300°F. Line 15x10x1-inch baking pan with parchment paper; set aside.
• Combine 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in small bowl. Add butter and almond extract; mix well. Using your fingers, crumble mixture onto prepared pan. Bake 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Cool completely.
• Beat 2 cups softened butter and vanilla bean in large bowl until evenly distributed. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low speed until well mixed. Add 1/2 cup whipping cream; beat on medium, 2-3 minutes or until smooth and fluffy.
• Place 2 cups frosting in medium bowl. Add cooled crumb mixture. Stir until well mixed; set aside.
• Line baking sheet with parchment; set aside.
• Place 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips in medium bowl; microwave, stirring every 10 seconds, until melted. Holding onto stems, dip cherries into melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place onto prepared baking sheet with stems up. Refrigerate until set. 
• To assemble cake, place 1 cake layer onto serving platter. Spoon half of crumb frosting mixture onto cake, spreading into an even layer. Spread 1/3 cup cherry jam over frosting. Place second cake layer on top. Spread with remaining crumb frosting mixture and remaining cherry jam. Place remaining cake layer on top. Frost sides and top of cake with frosting.
• Heat 1/2 cup whipping cream in small saucepan over medium-low heat until bubbles form around edge and cream is steaming. Do not boil. Place 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips into medium bowl; pour hot cream over chips; let stand 30 seconds. Gently stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Slowly pour ganache over center of cake top, allowing ganache to drip down sides. Place chocolate cherries in center of cake. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight. 
• Let cake stand 15-30 minutes at room temperature before serving. Store refrigerated.