This is an easy-to-make version of Black Forest Cake
Make chocolate cake according to package directions, adding 1 teaspoon red food coloring and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Bake cake, as directed, in two 9-inch layer cake pans. When done baking, remove from oven and cool the cake completely on a wire rack. When the cake is cooled, wrap each layer in plastic wrap. Place layers in the refrigerator for approximately 1 hour.
In a large bowl of the electric mixer, whip together the heavy cream and powdered sugar. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Using a sharp knife, slice each cooled cake round horizontally to make four layers.
First Layer: Place one layer on a flat plate and brush with 2 tablespoons cherry brandy. Fill a plastic bag with whipped vanilla or cream cheese icing (your choice) and pipe a generous ring (at least one (1) cherry high!) around the edge of first cake layer. Fill the exposed ring of the cake with some of the cherry pie filling.
Second Layer: Place the second layer on top of the first layer. Repeat first layer process with the second layer.
Third Layer: Place third layer on top of the second layer. Repeat process with the second layer.
Fourth Layer: Place fourth layer on top of the third layer. Frost the entire cake with freshly whipped cream.
Garnish the top of the cake with (cherries picked from the pie filling) or maraschino cherries. Sprinkle the top chocolate shavings. Gently press chocolate shavings onto sides of cake.
Refrigerate for at least two hours prior to serving. Slice while well chilled for best results.
Makes one (1) four-layer cake.
* How To Make Chocolate Shavings - For best results, the chocolate used should be cold, straight out of the refrigerator. If it is room temperature, then the slices won't turn out paper thin; instead, they will be thick, broken chunks. To make chocolate shavings, you first need a good quality of chocolate in block form. Using a vegetable or potato peeler, hold the chocolate with a paper towel and pass the vegetable peeler over the narrowest side of the chocolate block. The chocolate will curl up like wood shavings.
Black Forest Cake-Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte Recipe: https://whatscookingamerica.net/history/cakes/blackforestcake.htm