Black Forest Fix

Every once in a while, I get a very specific craving. This time it was black forest cake. I didn't want to make a huge cake, or go shopping. Using what I had on hand, I made it work. :)

Black Forest Cake Fix

(makes 1 layer)

Cake: (from Better Homes and Gardens new cookbook 10th edition, c 1993)

1 cup flour 

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup shortening

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

Filling:

1 can cherry pie filling OR

1 jar maraschino cherries + 1/2 cup sugar + 1 Tbsp cornstarch

Frosting:

1 tub Cool Whip OR

3 cups powdered sugar + 1/2 cup shortening + 1/4 tsp salt + water as needed

To make cake, preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour an 8" cake pan.

In a bowl, combine cake ingredients and beat with an electric mixer until smooth, 2 minutes or so. Pour batter into cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

If you are using the maraschino cherries, pour them into a nonstick saucepan, undrained. Reserve 7 cherries to decorate the cake with. Stir in the cornstarch and sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

If you're making the frosting, combine the sugar, shortening, and salt in a bowl. Combine ingredients with beaters turned OFF. 1 Tbsp at a time, add water. Beat with electric mixer until fluffy, adding water as needed.

Once the cake cools, slice it in half horizontally. Spread a good amount of cherry filling onto the bottom layer, then put the cake back together. Frost the cake and garnish with chocolate shavings, extra cake crumbs, OR...

Sprinkle a little cocoa powder over the top of the cake. Using your finger, swirl the powder into the  frosting. It will have a marbled effect.

Arrange the cherries on top of the cake. Enjoy.