Cherry Chocolate Cake...by request

Since I made this cake last week, I have had several requests for the recipe. It's not my own, but I did make a few changes to this recipe that I think are worth implementing....

Chocolate Cherry Stack Cake...from Better Homes and Gardens

3/4 cup plus 1 tsp all purpose flour
1/3 cup plus 1 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream (I used yogurt)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease two 6x2 (or 8x2 that is what I used)round cake pans. Mix 1 tsp each flour and coca powder; dust pans. Set aside.
2. In bowl combine flour cocoa powder, baking powder baking soda cinnamon and salt; set aside.
3. In large bowl mix butter on medium to high for 30 seconds. Add sugar; beat until smooth and fluffy.
Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth. And sour cream and flour. Pour batter in pans; spread evenly (this batter is thick so you have to spoon it in and spread it out.)
4. Bake 22 to 26 min or until to springs back. Cool in pans for 10 min on wire rack then remove from pans and let them cool completely.

Cherry Frosting
In large bowl combine one cup sour cream ( I would have used plain vanilla yogurt..Nancy's) one cup whipping cream and 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, and two tbls of Maraschino Cherry juice. Beat until fluffy. ( I would beat the whipping cream separately until fluffy then fold in the yogurt and sugar mixture afterward to give the frosting more loft. I also added a drop of red food coloring just because.)

Chocolate Dipped Cherries. Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips with a tbls of shortening. Dip cherries in chocolate that have been patted dry with a paper towel and place on wax paper. You can place them in the fridge to harden more quickly.

Assembly
1. Cut cakes in half. Place approximately 2/3 cup of frosting on first layer then place next layer on. I would add some cherry pie filling to the next layer if I had it to do over again just for a surprise punch, then add another 2/3 cup frosting. Then place remaining frosting on top. Adorn with chocolate cherries...make sure to have enough for everyone. It's a simply adorned cake that packs a punch, high in protein, low in fat, and a great taste to boot!...6 grams of protein!!!