Chocolate Shortcakes With Sour Cherry Topping Food

SOUR CHERRY GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray and flour three 8-inch cakes pans and line the bottoms with parchment circles.
• Combine the chocolate and 4 tablespoons of the butter in the top of a double boiler and heat until melted. Stir until smooth, then stir in the milk. Set aside to cool slightly.
• Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
• Whisk the egg whites in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment to firm peaks. In a new mixer bowl, combine the sugar and remaining 1 1/2 sticks butter. Beat with the paddle attachment on high speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. On medium speed, add the egg yolks one at time and beat until smooth. Beat in the vanilla. Add the chocolate mixture and beat just to combine. Add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat just until the batter is smooth.
• Remove the bowl from the mixer. Add the egg whites and fold with a spatula just to incorporate (there should be no streaks of egg whites, but fold gently so as not to deflate too much). Divide the batter among the prepared pans.
• Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool on a rack in the pans for about 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely. Remove the parchment.
• For the topping: To assemble, set a cake layer on a cake stand flat-side up. Spread 1/2 cup of the jam almost to the edges of the layer. Top with a second cake layer. Spread with the remaining jam and top with the third cake layer, flat-side up. Pour the fudge sauce over the cake and use an offset spatula to cover the top and let it drip down the sides of the cake. Sprinkle toasted coconut on top to garnish right before serving.

CHERRY-ALMOND CHOCOLATE SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Make the shortcakes: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the all-purpose flour, almond flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl until combined. Work in the butter with your fingers until it is in pea-size pieces, then stir in the chopped chocolate. Whisk the heavy cream and egg in a small bowl, then add to the flour mixture and stir until combined. (The dough will be slightly sticky.)
• Scoop 6 balls of dough (about 1/3 cup each) onto the prepared baking sheet using a large ice cream scoop or a measuring cup, spacing the dough 2 to 3 inches apart. Freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly brush each ball of dough with melted butter and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake until the edges are firm and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Toss the cherries with 1/3 cup granulated sugar, the cornstarch, almond extract and water in a medium saucepan; let sit 30 minutes. Cook over medium heat until the juices are bubbling and syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the amaretto. Let cool to room temperature, at least 2 hours.
• Beat the heavy cream and the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Whisk the mascarpone to loosen, then beat into the whipped cream until medium peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Split each shortcake and fill with the whipped cream and cherries.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHUNK SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• In medium bowl, toss cherries, 1/2 cup sugar and the kirsch until coated. Let stand 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 425°F. In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 3 tablespoons sugar, the buttermilk and butter until soft dough forms. Stir in chocolate chips. Onto ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough in 12 mounds (about 3 tablespoons each).
• Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack; cool 30 minutes.
• In small bowl, stir together whipped topping and chocolate syrup until blended. To serve, split shortcakes. Fill with cherry mixture and whipped topping mixture.