Small Black Forest Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 10×15 inch pan and line with wax paper. Grease and flour the wax paper.Sift together the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder, then stir in the salt. Set aside.In a bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy, then gradually add the sugar, beating until soft peaks form.In a second bowl, beat the egg yolks until thick and lemon colored. Beat in the vanilla, then stir the egg yolks into the whites.Fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture.

Spread the mixture evenly across the pan. It will seem thin, but will puff up in the oven.

Bake for 12 minutes or until layers appear set. Loosen from the edges with a knife, and then carefully turn onto a wire rack.

Remove pan and carefully peel away the paper.

Let cool completely.Prepare the filling.

Drain cherries, reserving 1/4 cup juice.

Combine reserved 1/4 cup juice, cherries, 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in extracts and let cool completely.Prepare the whipped cream.

Combine whipping cream and confectioner’s sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla.Assemble the cake.

Cut the cake into 6 squares. Put one square on a cake plate and spread about 3 tablespoons to 1/4 cup of whipped cream over it. Spoon about 3 tablespoon of the cherry filling across it. Repeat, layering squares of cake, whipped cream and filling, until you have a stack. Cover the entire stack with whipped cream. Decorate by piping more whipped cream around edges, or garnish with chocolate syrup and a stemmed cherry.