Christmas Black Forest Cake

Ingredients

For the chocolate sponge:

1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour

½ cup (60 g) unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

4 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar

½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil

½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional, deepens the chocolate flavor)

For the Christmas spiced cherry filling:

2 cups (300 g) pitted dark cherries (fresh, frozen, or canned)

¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

2 tablespoons kirsch or cherry juice

For the whipped cream frosting:

2 cups (480 ml) heavy whipping cream, chilled

¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for a festive touch)

For decoration: