This is supposed to be the bottom half: cake, cream frosting filled with cherries and another cake layer. The cream frosting forms a little "dam" that holds the cherries in. With the heat yesterday (it was probably near 80 degrees in my kitchen; 74 outside) it just didn't hold up. As soon as I placed the second cake layer on, cream and cherries began oozing. There were 3 separate dam breaks and I was forced to give up trying to salvage it.

This is supposed to be the top half: whipped cream, cake, chocolate whipped cream, cake, all smothered in more whipped cream. I wound up taking this half to the dinner. It tasted good, but continued to deteriorate in appearance as time passed.

I think the problem was that I really don't like chocolate cake, EXCEPT this one recipe I found. So I substituted my special (moist, dense) cake for the Black Forest recipe. I think it's just too heavy to make four luscious layers, separated by somewhat delicate fillings. I may be ditching the Black Forest from now on. Or, maybe, I can just make the cake and then bring the toppings along side for folks to add on at will. Because the combination of all these things is just about to-die-for!

Oh how I love my lessons in humility! To the next dinner party I will be bringing Pilsbury.