Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte)

Bahan-bahan (12 porsi)

• 6 large eggs (, at room temperature (Note 7))
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup caster sugar ((superfine sugar))
• 1/2 cup dutch processed cocoa powder ((or unsweetened regular cocoa power, Note 1))
• 2/3 cup plain flour ((all-purpose flour))
• 150 g / 10.5 tbsp unsalted butter (, melted and cooled)
• 670 g / 23.5 oz pitted morello cherries in syrup (sour cherries, in jar or can) (, drained and juice reserved (Note 2))
• 1/3 cup kirsch or cherry liqueur ((optional – sub with more reserved cherry juice, Note 3))
• 1/2 cup caster sugar ((superfine sugar))
• 4 tsp cornflour / cornstarch
• 4 cups / 1 litre thickened / heavy cream ((Note 4))
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup soft icing sugar / powdered sugar ((Australia: Not pure icing sugar, Note 5))
• 100 g / 3.5 oz dark chocolate / bittersweet chocolate
• 12 maraschino or fresh cherries ((for decorating top of cake))