Chocolate Apricot Layer Cake

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 (18 1/4 ounce) box devil's food cake mix
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 1/2 cup dried apricot, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds, finely chopped
• frosting
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (1 ounce each)
• 3/4 cup apricot preserves
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 325 degrees.
• 2 coat two 8 inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray.
• 3 line bottoms of pans with waxed paper, coat paper with spray.
• 4 cake layers: prepare cake mix following package directions, using egg,water and oil.
• 5 add in chopped apricots and chopped almonds.
• 6 divide batter evenly between the 2 pans.
• 7 bake in 325 degrees, about 45 minutes.
• 8 let cool in pans for 15 minutes.
• 9 then turn out layers onto rack, carefully removing waxed paper.
• 10 let cool completely.
• 11 frosting: in small saucepan heat heavy cream over medium- high heat until simmering.
• 12 place chopped chocolate in medium-size bowl.
• 13 pour heavy cream over the chocolate and stir it.
• 14 put in refrigator for at least 45 minutes.
• 15 filling and garnish: place 1 cake layer on dish.
• 16 spread top layer with apricot preserves.
• 17 place 2nd cake layer on top of it.
• 18 frost sides and on top with frosting.
• 19 put sliced almonds on sides of cake.
• 20 refrigerate for at least 35 minutes.