Black Forest Cake Made with Chocolate and Cherries

Ingredients (23)

• For the Cake:
• 1-2/3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon ​baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1-3/4 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon cherry (or vanilla) extract
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cherry brandy (kirsch, divided)
• For the Cherry Filling:
• 1 (15-ounce) can dark sweet cherries in heavy syrup
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cherry brandy (kirsch)
• For the  Whipped Cream Frosting:
• 1 and 3/4 teaspoon gelatin
• 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cold cherry liqueur (kirsch) or water
• 3-1/2 cups cream
• For the Toppings:
• 12 maraschino cherries
• 3 chocolate ​bars (dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate)