Chocolate Cherry Amaretto Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Spray three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. Then line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Combine cake mix, 1 1/3 cups water, eggs, oil, 3 tablespoons amaretto, and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract in large bowl; whisk until well blended.
• Toss 1 cup of chocolate chips in with 1 tablespoon flour, then gently fold into batter.
• Divide batter among prepared pans. (the layers will be thin).
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes.
• Run knife around pan sides. Turn cakes out onto racks; cool completely. Brush each cake layer with 2 tablespoons amaretto.
• Combine butter and cream in medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until butter melts and mixture comes to simmer.
• Remove from heat. Add remaining 2 cups chocolate chips and whisk until melted.
• Mix in remaining 3 tablespoons amaretto. Cool until barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes.
• Whisk in sour cream and remaining 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, then powdered sugar.
• Refrigerate frosting just until thick enough to spread, whisking occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 1/3 cup frosting over. Top with second cake layer. Spread 1/3 cup frosting over. Top with third cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. (concentrate most of the frosting on the top of the cake)
• Press nuts around the sides of the cake. Chill at leat 2 hours.
• (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome; keep chilled.).

Steps:

• For crust: Mix together in small bowl. Press mixture evenly onto bottom of greased 9" springform pan.
• For Cheesecake: In mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, sour cream, and cornstarch. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla extract. Remove 3/4 cup of mixture to separate bowl and stir in cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons sugar. Set aside. Stir amaretto and almond extract into the remaining mixture.
• Pour half the amaretto mixture over the crust. Spoon half of the cocoa mixture over the amaretto mixture. Pour remaining amaretto mixture over the cocoa mixture. Top with remaining cocoa mixture. Using a knife and without disturbing the crust, swirl the blade through the batter to create the marble effect.
• Bake at 425 F for 10 minutes. Lower temperature to 225 F and bake for 1 hour or till the center no longer looks wet or shiny. Remove the cake from the over and run a knife around the inside edge of the pan. Chill, uncovered, overnight.
• For Topping: In small bowl beat whipping cream and amaretto with mixer until stiff peaks form. Pipe whipped cream around the edge of cheesecake. Garnish with chocolate covered almonds.
• Chill till serving time.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. Combine cake mix, 1 1/3 cups water, eggs, oil, 3 tablespoons amaretto, and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract in large bowl; whisk until well blended. Mix in 1 cup chocolate chips. Divide batter among prepared pans.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes. Run knife around pan sides. Turn cakes out onto racks; cool completely. Brush each cake layer with 2 tablespoons amaretto.
• Combine butter and cream in medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until butter melts and mixture comes to simmer. Remove from heat. Add remaining 2 cups chocolate chips and whisk until melted. Mix in remaining 3 tablespoons amaretto. Cool until barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes. Whisk in sour cream and remaining 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, then powdered sugar. Refrigerate frosting just until thick enough to spread, whisking occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 1/3 cup frosting over. Top with second cake layer. Spread 1/3 cup frosting over. Top with third cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Press nuts around bottom 2 inches of cake. Chill 2 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome; keep chilled.)

Steps:

• Pour 3/4 cup amaretto liqueur and 1/2 cup condensed milk into a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 3 cups sugar and stir until dissolved. Add 1/4 cup butter, semisweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup white chocolate chips; stir until mixture is smooth and all chocolate has melted, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from burning.
• Heat 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons condensed milk, and 2 tablespoons amaretto in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons butter, and red food coloring; stir until smooth and coloring is evenly distributed, about 3 minutes.
• Remove both saucepans from heat. Pour dark chocolate mixture into a square 10-inch aluminum foil pan. Let sit for 1 to 2 minutes. Drop spoonfuls of the white chocolate mixture on top and swirl into dark chocolate layer with a butter knife or toothpick. Shake pan lightly to settle fudge. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Cut into 1-inch squares.