Schwarzwaelder Kirschtorte

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Line the bottoms of two 8 inch round pans with parchment paper circles (or just grease the pans). Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside.

Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture, alternating with milk, beat until combined.

Pour into 2 round 8 inch pans. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Cool completely.

Remove paper (if any) from under the cakes. Cut each layer in half, horizontally, making 4 layers total. Sprinkle layers with 1/2 cup cherry liquor.

In a separate bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks. Beat in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon cherry liquor. Add sugar powder, and a pinch of salt. Beat again.

Spread first layer of cake with 1/3 of the filling (use 1/2 of the filling if you have only 2 layers instead of 4). Top with 1/3 (2/3) of the cherries. Repeat with the remaining layer(s).

Frost top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with chocolate curls made by using a potato peeler on semisweet baking chocolate. Or you can use the remaining crumbs to sprinkle the sides of the cake.