It’s been a challenging holiday season, so I’m just now getting around to making Christmas dessert. No family members suffered, because there were sugar cookies. These were so laden with additional decorative icings provided by the usual suspects that if I ate a Christmas tree (bigger than the star and bear ones), I would tremble for several minutes after.

The chocolate cake was made this morning. Tonight after dinner, the above-mentioned went off to Yoshi’s in SF for a concert. I whipped the cream, made the chocolate buttercream. Next, I thickened the cherry juice and added the Trader Joe Morello cherries.

Then, because I can’t wait till 11:30 p.m. or whenever they roll in, I made up one for me. First the cake cubes. Cherries were spooned over. A layer of pudding next. Repeat. Dollops of whipped cream on top. No liqueurs used, my preference.

They’ll be surprised, I think. I always wind up making these things at night when I can’t get a picture. Tomorrow, perhaps.