Remember this little thing?
You guys rock! You totally embraced my inability to count calories! *happy sigh* Don't think I could love ya more.
Well, I am delighted to show you how to make this bad boy.
I started out with this white cake recipe. Its a bit more dense due to the fact the I used regular flour and not cake flour. I needed something sturdy to stand up to the powerful punch of the insane amount of chocolate on this cake. But if you prefer a light, airy cake I would definitely just try your favorite white cake recipe. (that or use cake flour in the one I used)
What you will need:
One white cake (I used six inch pans for a nice thick cake)
2 boxes chocolate covered cherries
1 bottle hot fudge (or make your own!)
1 package of Oreo crumbs (you can also make these on your own but *speaking from experience* I would just buy the pre-crumbed crumbs. And that concludes my technical mumbo jumbo for the day.)
Frosting of choice. I used a creamy vanilla. I like it, but am still perfecting it so no recipe yet! Sorry! Here is a sweet buttercream if you are so inclined.
Directions:
Bake cakes.
Place a few pieces of wax paper around the base of your cake stand. This is pretty important!
This cake could be a big mess if you skip this step. Trust me on this.
Set one cake round on cake stand and use about 1/4 cup of frosting for center layer.
Add chocolate covered cherries.
One for the cake, one for your belly.
Repeat until cake is covered. Ok maybe you dont have to follow the instructions verbatim, cause that would mean you just ate 15 chocolate covered cherries and that is really just ridiculous!
Why would I suggest such a thing?!?!?!
You could stop right here cause I mean... really. Hello delicious. But remember how much we love calories? Bring on the frosting!
I simply took a knife and spread frosting over the cherries and in between, then smoothed it out.
Right into the freezer for at least 30 minutes! I really want this frosting layer to set up and be study for our next layer of cake.
Remove from freezer and place remaining layer of cake on top.
Cover with crumb coat.
I would get it smooth but it certainly doesn't have to be neat! The next layer is where we get messy.
Put back in freezer for 30 min. or more, or fridge for at least an hour.
Take your hot fudge (that should not be hot temperature wise!) and poured it over the cake until every inch was covered.
(Please pretend there is a picture here of an Oreo crumb covered cake... whoops!)
I then took Oreo crumbs and just smashed them into the cake. This got pretty messy.. so when I was done I took a fondant smoother and made a nice, clean, flat surface.
I put it right in the fridge to set up before removing the wax strips around the base. Getting the crumbs to really adhere to the hot fudge and frosting is important for a nice clean cut.
Then put a little dollop of frosting and added a cherry on top.
Fun and easy and oh so delicious!
You can obviously play with this cake and have fun with the design and ingredients... but one thing I would not change is the chilling part. You really want those layers to get sturdy and stay that way!
You can serve it chilled or at room temp. When it is at room temp. the chocolate covered cherries ooze that glorious creamy cherry filling over the cake and add such fantastic flavor!!
Be sure to let me know if you try it!
Ohh, I'm so happy! Thank you so much for the tutorial and I know exactly when I'm making this glorious cake - Easter and Mother's Day! I'll let you know how it all turns out too. For now, I will just memorize your tutorial so that when the day comes to make it I won't feel overwhelmed or intimidated. :)
You made my day and keep sharing your beautiful creations with us!
Posted by: Nellie | Feb 23, 2011 at 07:48 AM
Ahh! Looks so yummy!!! My sister would love this cake
Posted by: Sweet Bella Roos | Feb 23, 2011 at 07:54 AM
This is an amazing cake, so creative love it.
I was inspired by your Rose cake and made a 4 layer cake for one of my best friends on her birthday I posted it on Flickr and mentioned you. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rowaidafl/sets/72157625985384549/
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | Feb 23, 2011 at 07:58 AM
I'd say "calorie heavy" is a compliment! Why would you even want to bake something that is, heaven forbid, sugar free?! If you're going to make a cake, do it the right way!!! And THIS is the right way! Love it, can't wait to make it!!!! MMMMMMM!
Posted by: Caitlin B. | Feb 23, 2011 at 08:10 AM
Unbelievable! Such an amazing dessert. Wonder how it would work with chocolate covered strawberries?? Mmmmmm... But I adore cherries: cherry pie is my 2nd favorite at Thanksgiving (chocolate cream being my 1st, of course!). Thank you thank you thank you!
Posted by: Kameron | Feb 23, 2011 at 08:24 AM
BRING THIS AMAZING DESSERT ON!!!
LOVE!!
& i enjoy baking 6 inchers so i am so EXCITED…
calories!?!?…work out!
Posted by: linda | Feb 23, 2011 at 08:31 AM
you are so creative! i cannot believe how perfect you cake looks. if this was me, making this cake, well-you really don't want to know. thanks for the step by step and a peak into your process!
Posted by: susan | Feb 23, 2011 at 08:46 AM
This calls for a comment I received on one of my own posts:
I think my diet just fainted!
Posted by: Tanja | Feb 23, 2011 at 08:48 AM
Swoon! Oh my heavens what a beautifully delicious cake. You are so creative Amanda! Thanks for the DIY on how to make this masterpiece.
I'm off to run a few miles so I can then make this cake. The hubby would love it!
I hope your doing well!
Posted by: Heather | Feb 23, 2011 at 08:49 AM
Oh no....I didn't eat breakfast yet. Perhaps I could have this done in time for lunch?
It's a good lunch food, right?
Also, I feel like a total moron because I had NO idea you could BUY Oreo crumbs. I've been cleaning a mess out of my food processor every time because that's how I've been making them!! Thanks for the tip, chickie!!
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | Feb 23, 2011 at 08:50 AM
OK, now that I know this is only a 6 inch cake, the calories really don't even count. They don't start counting until you're at least at an 8 inch. Period.
I will definitely try this, but I'm probably going to make it with chocolate cake. Because I'm a rebel. And I like chocolate.
A lot.
Posted by: Kelli | Feb 23, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my desk...
Posted by: Renee | Feb 23, 2011 at 09:21 AM
My Mother's Favorite candy is Chocolate Covered Cherries and her birthday is coming up. I am definately going to make this for her birthday celebration. No need to worry about calories on this one because EVERYONE knows that there are no calories to be counted on Birthday Cakes! Orrrr Wedding cakes, or shower cakes, the list goes on and on!!! . LOL Thanks for sharing this tutorial with us. How fun it will be to make. Your the BEST!
Posted by: Gwendolyn | Feb 23, 2011 at 09:43 AM
It is beautiful. I am not a fan of chocolate covered cherries, but they were my Grandfather's favorite and this cake brings back some pretty great memories.
Posted by: Lorie | Feb 23, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Oh man I can feel my sweet tooth tingling with all the sugary goodness. This is also a very gorgeous cake.
Posted by: sabriena | Feb 23, 2011 at 10:16 AM
I really want to try this one it looks so good and I know my hubby would love it..I also have some special occasions coming that I could make people ohh and awwhhh
Posted by: pamela ponder | Feb 23, 2011 at 10:40 AM
yum! What is it about fudge oreos and cherries....they look amazing together and I can almost taste the goodness!
Posted by: Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} | Feb 23, 2011 at 10:47 AM
This is AWESOME! SO excited to try this. One question, how in the world did you get it off the wax paper so neatly & without damaging the beauty that is this cake?
Posted by: Kristin H | Feb 23, 2011 at 10:54 AM
That is insane. Totaly madness. Love it.
Posted by: CakeStory | Feb 23, 2011 at 10:56 AM
You have such patience. I could honestly never do this. For starters, I totally suck at the crumb layer. How can someone suck at the crumb layer? I have no idea, but I nearly ruin the cake every time trying to add it.
Posted by: Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies | Feb 23, 2011 at 11:08 AM
wow, amazing! I am totally saving that for the future.. I bet my dad would love it for father's day, he is a chocolate covered cherry fanatic!
Posted by: Created by Christi | Feb 23, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Pffft.. I WOULD eat one cherry for every one I put on that delectable cake! Calories are great!! Who cares as long as you don't eat the whole cake.
Alone.
In ONE sitting.
Posted by: mindy | Feb 23, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Ok, I will follow your blog for a while, then I'll get busy and miss out on it for a while. After perusing through several posts...my gosh...EVERYTHING on this blog is just like I left it...beautiful! EVERYTHING you do is pretty much PERFECT, down to the handwriting on your confections (and I'm a sucker for neat print :). I love it all. I want to eat everything on this site. My FAVORITE dessert/treat is cookies...I actually feel like shedding a few tears because I can't eat one of your cookies RIGHT NOW! Anyway, I just wanted to give you a quick "Hello" and tell you that you are SO SO talented. Blessings!
Posted by: Katy I. | Feb 23, 2011 at 11:36 AM
ummmm, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You......
Posted by: Linda | Feb 23, 2011 at 11:44 AM
I wouldn't even know how to eat that thing! I'd love to try though, so I'll be over in an hour. give or take. :) If I EVER attempt to make something like this, I'll let you know. I'm not a cake decorator, but maybe pouring and smooshing I can handle. Thanks for the tutorial. Your cakes never cease to amaze me.
Posted by: Amanda | Feb 23, 2011 at 11:53 AM
So so fun! One question - did you actually take the wax paper out from underneath the cake, or did you cut it off around the cake?
Posted by: Erin Ward | Feb 23, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Great question! I actually just carefully pulled it out after the cake had chilled. Any excess fudge or crumbs I just wiped away. :)
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | Feb 23, 2011 at 12:11 PM
OH. MY.
Definitely going to try this at some point...
Posted by: Jules | Feb 23, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Oh how I love you and your inability to count calories. Chocolate-covered cherries for a cheery look into March.
Posted by: Shaina | Feb 23, 2011 at 12:57 PM
when I made my ice cream version I froze the whole cake after it was put together. I took it out rolled in on it's side(i held the top and bottom together) and rolled in the hot fudge then the oreo crubs. I placed it back on the plate and then put the hot fudge and crumbs on the top.
Posted by: colleen | Feb 23, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Amazing Amanda!!! I will have to make this cake for my MIL. She loves chocolate covered cherries. And if you ask me it totally looks fat free. :)
Posted by: Tammy | Feb 23, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Such a tall cake... and in my opinion, everything with oreo crumbs tastes great!
Posted by: Helena | Feb 23, 2011 at 02:06 PM
I know what cake I want for my birthday. But, bear with me for a moment, what if we... put the chocolate covered cherries on top of a layer of Oreos? Mmmmm. Stability. Yeah. Stability. My fiance is going to think I'm a really bad person if I ask for this for my birthday.
Posted by: Courtney | Feb 23, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Thanks so much for sharing this!
Posted by: Erin | Feb 23, 2011 at 02:27 PM
I'll take 2...
Posted by: Wenderly | Feb 23, 2011 at 02:39 PM
This looks SO good! My husband LOVES chocolate covered cherries and would think this cake is a dream come true! Saturday is dessert day at our house, I think I found our next one!
Posted by: Carrie K | Feb 23, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Love the tutorial - such a decadent cake!
Posted by: Tracy | Feb 23, 2011 at 04:04 PM
Spectacular. I didn't realize when I first saw the cake there were actually chocolate covered cherries between the layers. I think I was blinded by it's beauty. Yeah, that's exactly what happened. ;D
Posted by: Nancy @SensitivePantry | Feb 23, 2011 at 06:46 PM
Yummy!!
Posted by: Jessica | Feb 23, 2011 at 07:38 PM
Oh, what about using ganache instead of hot fudge for a thicker coating? YUM!! I bet that would be awesome, too. Thanks for the tutorial! I am so jealous of your refrigerator space. I can't imagine having enough room in my fridge for a cake like this.
Posted by: Memoria | Feb 23, 2011 at 08:15 PM
What a neat idea...love it!!
Posted by: Jaime | Feb 23, 2011 at 09:32 PM
You have too much fun in that kitchen of yours!! Love it!!
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | Feb 23, 2011 at 09:43 PM
This. Is. Amazing. So decadent and a great idea! I would never think to put chocolate covered cherries in the middle of a cake but I bet it's fantastic.
Posted by: Stephanie | Feb 23, 2011 at 09:53 PM
As if the original post of yours on this cake wasn't enough to keep one licking their lips in anticipation for at least a week, this step by step tutorial can send one over the edge! Fabulous Amanda.
Posted by: Paula | Feb 23, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Oh my GOODNESS! That is SOMETHING. I am jealous of people who can do things so perfectly. This is gorgeous. Well done.
Posted by: Sophistimom | Feb 23, 2011 at 11:34 PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the tutorial!!! I have plans to create one next week. I can hardly wait!
Posted by: Madeleine | Feb 24, 2011 at 12:37 AM
You are a cake genius!!!! <3
Posted by: adoll | Feb 24, 2011 at 01:19 AM
Madre míaaaaaa, este pastel se merece un 10.
Besos.
Posted by: Rosa http://lacuinaderosa.blogspot.com/ | Feb 24, 2011 at 02:36 AM
Amanda
As usual you are awesome !
Posted by: Mima | Feb 24, 2011 at 03:03 AM
Oh Really Lovely and COLORFUL its Cake's . I loved and My Favorite Dish . Very nice idea for cake and interesting details Really i like that ......
Posted by: Romantic Dinner | Feb 24, 2011 at 04:12 AM