Chocolate Torte

By Renna

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25oz) box chocolate cake mix
• 1 (10oz) jar red maraschino cherries, drained & chopped, with 1/4 cup juice reserved
• 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 (16oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (6oz) jar green maraschino cherries, well drained and chopped (if desired)
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 2 (8-inch) round baking pans with cooking spray.

Prepare cake mix as directed, using ingredients listed on box, stir reserved cherry juice into chocolate cake batter. Pour into prepared cake pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes, remove to wire rack to cool completely. When cool, slice cakes horizontally in half, making 4 layers.

4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Stir in whipped topping, red and green cherries, and pecans.

5. Place 1 cake layer on platter and evenly spread one-quarter of cream cheese mixture on top. Repeat with remaining cake layers and finish with cream cheese mixture on top. Sprinkle with pecans if desired.

6. In a small microwaveable bowl, melt chocolate chips in microwave 1 minute, stirring until smooth; add 10 seconds, if necessary. Drizzle melted chocolate on cake and refrigerate until ready to serve.

The red and green cherries make it a colorful dessert at Xmas.