Drunken Cherry Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

4 tbsp

unsalted butter (softened to room temp)

1 1/2 cups

white granulated sugar

eggs

1 tsp

vanilla extract

1 cup

warm milk (I used 1%)

1 1/3 cups

all-purpose flour

3/4 cup

unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder (I used one that is a blend of natural and dutched cocoa)

2 1/2 tsp

baking powder

1/8 tsp

fine sea salt

4 cups

fresh pitted cherries

1/2 cup

golden rum (I used Bacardi Gold $8/bottle at a liquor store)

1/4 cup

cold filtered water

2 sticks

or 16 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened to room temp)

3 cups

powdered sugar

1/4 tsp

fine sea salt

16 oz

2 blocks cream cheese, softened to room temp and cut into 16 pieces

4 tbsp

the reserved cherry/rum syrup

Semi-sweet chocolate chips to create shaved chocolate

1 handful

fresh cherries for the top