Black Forest Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup cake flour
• 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 6 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 Tbs. confectioners' sugar
• 1 tsp. kirsch
• Poached cherries (see note above)
• Semisweet (plain) chocolate curls