Chocolate Cherry Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

PinShareTweetYumEmail I’m not calling this a Black Forest Cake; nope; it’s my own doing and not a recreation of a well known cake. A rich chocolate cake and an equally rich Mascarpone buttercream are highlighted with a compote of fresh cherries. Not surprisingly, this Chocolate Cherry Cake with Mascarpone Frosting is my new favorite! If you’ve followed this blog for any time, than you know that once a month I participate with some virtual friends in a Progressive Party called Progressive Eats. This month is our Five Year Anniversary…hard to imagine for all of us I’m sure but we were up to the task and have a lineup of deliciousness for you this month with an Elegant Summer Evening Soirée. Yours truly is the host this month and I wanted something summery but a bit grander than a barbecue. Think upscale get together outside with twinkle lights or at your best table indoors…and be sure, whatever else you do, to finish your own event off with this Chocolate Cherry Cake with Mascarpone Frosting. I love making cakes…but that being said, I seldom do many anymore. Not because I can’t find willing eaters but because I seem to make them complicated enough they are a full day job. As much fun as that is, I struggle finding the time. So I went into this with a game plan.  Chocolate cake I know and love? Check. Simple frosting combining mascarpone and buttercream frosting? Check.  Fresh cherries? Check. But uh oh…damn the ones I had planned to use were past their prime so first snafu required a trip to the grocery store. Still not that big of a deal. Then I realized I was out of my favorite cherry jam I wanted to use layered on top of the frosting. OK, OK, I can whip something together pretty quick I guess so I still wasn’t deterred and I had all weekend to get it done and I would get on it first thing Saturday for sure. Except…my friend Amy from across the street asked me if I wanted to join her and her mom at a local production of ‘The Full Monty’ on Saturday afternoon. I almost reneged but thought, ‘No…I deserve a break today!’ so went with them and am so glad I did; we laughed so hard it hurt! Sunday had it’s share of unexpected but still, I got the cake layers made and in the freezer…so check and check. I was feeling pretty good about that, heck it meant all Monday to simply frost and decorate the cake a bit and then take photos and write the post. Easy Peasy. Not exactly. Ever had one of those days? Of course I ALWAYS have a jar of Bonne Maman, Cherry Preserves in the pantry…until today. I was all prepared to use fresh cherries on top but pitting them for jam is the pits and I had to pit a couple of cups of the real deal. Aargh…but still, I’m on track and good to go; if getting just a bit verklempt. Then I get a reminder that I have a meeting here at my house at 6:30pm! I was ‘this close’ to letting my pals know I couldn’t do it but somehow I got it done. The cake was finished, the photos taken and the meeting was held. I plied the committee members with cake in hopes they would ignore my disaster of a kitchen on full display.  I think I blinded them with this beauty though and no one complained…I did let them eat cake! Was it worth it? I have to admit, this is one damn fine cake. Chocolate and Cherry are so compatible and the smooth richness of the mascarpone cheese kicked it up a notch. I love using mascarpone cheese in a frosting; it adds both a richness and depth of flavor without really making the frosting taste like cheese. Some consider cream cheese a substitute and it can be used; but find the mascarpone if you can; it is heavenly. The fresh cherries made it. Despite wanting to make it easier with jam, I loved the results from combining the two…it’s not difficult and so worth it. And the hint of both Amaretto and Cherry Heering was just enough. If you have to choose one or the other…use Amaretto in all three steps; not everyone has a bottle of cherry liqueur on hand like I do! Need some ideas for the perfect party? Please join our celebration and I’ll save you a slice! Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. This month’s theme is all about an elegant summer evening celebration, and I’m your host this month (basically means I get to choose the event!). This event celebrates five years of bringing together great cooks, concepts, and especially great food through the collaboration of Progressive Eats. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats it’s a virtual party. A theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out. Come along and see all of the deliciousness we’ve put together for our celebration inspired dishes! Elegant Summer Evening Soiree! Beverages Hugo Cocktail – Mother Would Know Chicha Morada and Pisco Cocktail – Beyond Mere Sustenance Appetizers Roasted Tomato Crostini with Herbed Ricotta – The Heritage Cook Shrimp Cocktail Louis – From a Chef’s Kitchen Bread Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread – Shockingly Delicious Main Courses Steamed Clams with White Wine, Pancetta and Basil – Sarah’s Cucina Side Dish Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction – Spice Roots Tomato and Fennel Salad – Karen’s Kitchen Stories Desserts Chocolate and Cherry Cake with Mascarpone Frosting – Creative Culinary (You’re Here!) Lavender Lemon Panna Cotta – The Redhead Baker Chocolate Layer Cake with Ganache – That Skinny Chick Can Bake PIN ‘Chocolate and Cherry Cake with Mascarpone Frosting’   PinShareTweetYumEmail