Eats & Drinks | National Baking Day Contest | Creative Lifestyle's Cherry Chocolate Espresso Cake

Y'all, have I got a recipe for you! This Cherry Chocolate Espresso Cake will make you weep. I have adapted it from a Lauren Kelp recipe. It takes effort, I won't lie. It has a lot of steps, but in the end you will be lost in a sea of chocolate espresso bliss, whispering, "Thank you, Kathy, thank you!" Chocolate Espresso Cake1.5 cups of dark chocolate chips1 cup of water1/2 cup of instant espresso1/2 cup of cocoa powder4 cups of flour1/2 tsp sea salt2 tsp of baking powder2 cups of unsalted butter (4 sticks)6 large eggs3 cups sugar1.5 tbsp vanilla extractChocolate Buttercream Icing1/2 cup of egg whites1 cup of granulated sugar1.5 cups of butter (cubed, room temp)1 tsp vanilla extract3 oz. dark chocolate (melted and cooled)cinnamon for dustingcherries for garnishFor Your Cake:Preheat your oven to 350. Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans. In a small saucepan, slowly melt your dark chocolate on medium low heat and set aside.In a small pot, bring your water to boil and stir in the instant espresso. Pour in your melted chocolate and whisk until completely combined. Set aside.In a mixing bowl sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. In your mixer, whip your butter until fluffy. Add in your sugar, vanilla and eggs. Beat until combined.Add in your espresso/chocolate mixture to your mixer and combine.Bring your flour mixture over and slowly add it to your batter. I like to do mine cup by cup on low speed until smooth.Measure out 4 cups of batter for each pan. Drop your filled cake pans on the counter a few times before placing in the oven to pop any bubbles inside the batter. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool on a cake rack.Icing:In your mixer, whisk your egg whites and sugar into a meringue. This takes about 7-10 minutes. Slowly add in the cubed butter a few cubes at a time. Once smooth, add in your vanilla and melted chocolate. Whip until smooth. You will know it's ready when you can lift the head of your mixer and the icing sticks to the attachment.Ice your cake once cooled, and dust with cinnamon. Add your cherries as garnish.Enjoy that cake like it's your last meal!Don't forget to vote for your favorite chocolate cake for our National Baking Day Contest![polldaddy poll=9421850]