Black Forest Gateau - Marisolio Tasting Bar

Ingredients

• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder sifted
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
• 1 cup hot water
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 3 cup whipping cream cold
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar sifted
• 2 1/2 cups cherries pitted and cut in half, frozen cherries, thawed and drained, or preserved cherries
• 1 bar dark chocolate for shavings (optional)
• cherries for decorating (optional)