Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease and line an 8" cake pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

To make the cake - In a mixer or by hand cream the sugars and egg. Add the oil and buttermilk and mix well.

Step 3

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to creamed mixture along with the vanilla and mix a bit.

Step 4

In a small bowl mix cocoa with the 1/4 c water until blended. Add to the cake batter. Mix well but do not overmix.

Step 5

Add batter to the pan and bake 30 minutes or until tests clean with a toothpick.

Step 6

Let rest for 10 minutes and turn on to rack too cool. This can be done ahead of time if desired, even up to a day.

Step 7

To make the ganache - In a medium saucepan combine the heavy cream, butter, and sugar. Bring to just under a boil on medium-low heat. Do not boil, however. Turn off the heat. Add the chocolate chips and let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk briskly until smooth and shiny. Set aside or refrigerate for later. When ready to use, microwave a little bit (start with 20 seconds) to loosen the ganache so it is pourable.

Step 8

To make cherries - In a medium saucepan add the two cans of cherries and their juices. Mix the cornstarch with the water until dissolved. Add to the cherries and turn the heat on to medium. The mixture will thicken as the cherries get hot and approach their boiling point. If too thick just add a bit more water, If too thin, add a little more cornstarch to cold water in a cup and add a little at a time until you reach an acceptable thickness to your liking. Add more sugar if desired.

Step 9

To make the whipped cream - Whip cold cream on high until soft peaks form. Then add the powdered sugar and beat until a nice medium peak.

Step 10

To assemble individually - Make a small pool of ganache on the bottom of the dessert plate followed by a nice slice of the chocolate cake, then a spoonful of the cherries, and finish with whip cream on top. Optional - A bit of shaved chocolate on top is nice or some processed cookie crumbs for a grand finale if desired.