The signature dessert of the region, this cherry pie recipe is made by sandwiching a layer of jam or sweet pastry cream between two shortbread-like rounds. You can plan ahead by setting the butter out while you get the rest of the ingredients ready, so it has time to come to room temperature. Gently tap the cake pan on the counter top to release any large air bubbles in the batter. One of the ingredients that really made this chocolate cake recipe come to life, in my opinion, was the addition of espresso powder in both the chocolate cake and in the chocolate frosting.
If you want to add a layer of fruit, jam, or frosting, divide the recipe into two identical pans to make a layered cake. Each cake layer ends up rising to a whole 2 inches thick (the max capacity of the cake pans) when all batter …