Spicy Double Dark Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 2 2/3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ounce plus 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
• Pistachio Mascarpone Frosting, recipe follows
• 1 1/3 teaspoons salt
• 1 pound 12 ounces granulated sugar
• 8 ounces cherries, chopped
• 6 ounces unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon pistachio compound
• 10 ounces mascarpone cheese
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/8 cup wheat germ
• 6 whole eggs
• 2 2/3 teaspoons baking soda
• 9 ounces vegetable shortening
• Cognac Cherries Filling, recipe follows
• 7 ounces powdered sugar
• 4 ounces dry chocolate pudding mix
• 2 ounces cognac
• 1 tablespoon ground white pepper
• 1 pound 6 ounces all-purpose flour