Chocolate and Cherries Fudge Torte

From HERSHEY’S
Makes 1 torte

Make Valentine’s Day extra special this year with this HERSHEY’S KISSES Chocolate covered fudge torte. KISSES Chocolates and HERSHEY’S Cocoa make this dessert a delight. Arrange the cherry topping in a heart shape for a photo-worthy end to a romantic evening.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup butter or margarine (1 stick), melted
11/4 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 package cream cheese (8 oz), softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream, chilled
1 – 1/2 cups HERSHEY’S MINI KISSES Chips (9 oz pkg.)
1 can cherry pie filling (21 oz), chilled

DIRECTIONS

1.Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of 9 inch springform pan, or line 9 inch round cake pan with foil, grease bottom of foil.

2.Stir together melted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla in large bowl. Add eggs; using spoon, beat well. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to egg mixture, beating with spoon until well blended. Spread batter in prepared pan.

3.Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until cake is set. (Cake is fudgy and will not test done). Remove from oven, cool completely in pan on wire rack.

4.Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar in medium bowl until well blended. Beat cream until stiff; gradually fold into cream cheese mixture, blending well. Spread over top of torte; refrigerate several hours or until set. With knife loosen cake from side of pan; remove side of pan. (Or lift torte out of pan, using foil; remove foil).

5.Just before serving, put chocolates in 6 inch-wide heart outline in center of cake. Fill heart shape with cherries from pie filling; put chocolates all around outside edge. Serve cold, cut into wedges, with remaining pie filling. Cover; refrigerate leftover dessert. 12 servings.

Find this recipe and more holiday treats at hersheyland.com