6 egg whites, at room temperature |
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar |
1 1/2 cups sugar (divided) |
6 egg yolks |
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour |
1/3 cup cocoa |
1 teaspoon baking powder |
1/2 teaspoon salt |
1/2 cup fruit juice or 1/2 cup water |
1 tablespoon orange zest (optional) |
1 teaspoon vanilla or 1 teaspoon rum flavoring |
1/2 cup cherry flavored liqueur (for sprinkling cake layers) |
1/2 cup softened butter |
3 1/2 cups icing sugar (approx.) |
2 teaspoons strong coffee |
3 -4 cups sour cherries, frozen & defrosted (pitted) or 3 -4 cups canned & drained cherries (remove pits) |
2 cups whipping cream |
1/4 cup sugar |
1 teaspoon vanilla |
chocolate curls |