Black Forest Chocolate Torte

This cherry-crowned beauty stacked with layers of chocolate cake and cream filling will have everyone talking.

—Doris Grotz, York, NE

PREP: 1 HOUR • BAKE: 15 MIN. + COOLING • MAKES: 16 SERVINGS

• ⅔ cup butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 ¼ cups water
• 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• ¼ tsp. baking soda

CHOCOLATE FILLING

• 6 oz. German sweet chocolate, chopped
• ¾ cup butter, cubed
• ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted

WHIPPED CREAM

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract

TOPPING

• 1 ½ cups sliced almonds, toasted
• 1 cup cherry pie filling

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 4 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment.
2. 2. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in water just until blended.
3. 3. In a microwave, melt unsweetened chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with chocolate mixture, beating after each addition. Divide batter among prepared pans.
4. 4. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely.
5. 5. For chocolate filling, melt chocolate in a microwave; stir until smooth. Stir in butter until blended. Stir in almonds.
6. 6. For whipped cream, in a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form.
7. 7. To assemble, place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with ⅓ cup chocolate filling and 1 cup whipped cream. Repeat layers twice. Top with the remaining cake and chocolate filling.
8. 8. Spread remaining whipped cream over sides of cake. Press almonds onto sides. Spoon pie filling over top of cake. Refrigerate until serving.

1 SLICE: 596 cal., 41g fat (22g sat. fat), 124mg chol., 210mg sod., 46g carb. (26g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g pro.