Our friends Laura and Dan came over for dinner the other night. They have two little ones the same ages as Mack and Evie, so we all agreed that it would be easier to do dinner at our place rather than braving a restaurant with four rambunctious kids.

The day of the dinner party Evie and I made a simple dessert using fresh cherries and cocoa powder. It was the perfect recipe to make with an almost-3 year old because it doesn’t have to look perfect to be beautiful. Such a nice way for us to spend time together while Mack took his afternoon nap.

While the kids tore apart the toys, Laura, Dan, Chris and I had great conversation and a nice summer meal.  And, the chocolate cherry torte was a lovely way to end an evening with our best friends!

Chocolate Cherry Torte

sugar cookie dough, store bought or homemade

1 pint whipping cream

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract (I use my homemade vanilla extract)

3 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

8 oz. powdered sugar

3 cups pitted and roughly chopped fresh cherries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Press sugar cookie dough into a 9×13 baking dish.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, until dough is golden.  Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Beat whipping cream, sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes (it should look like whipped cream).  Add cocoa powder and beat.  Add softened cream cheese and 4 oz powdered sugar.  Beat.  Add remaining powdered sugar and beat until smooth and well incorporated.  Pour onto cooled cookie crust.

Top with cherries.  Chill until ready to serve.