Chocolate Cream Cheese-Filled Cake

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25 ounce) box dark chocolate cake mix*
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

1. Prepare and bake chocolate cake as directed on package. Bake in two 9-inch round pans.
2. Allow cakes to cool.
3. When cakes are cool, cut each one in half with a long serrated knife, making four layers.
4. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, brown sugar and vanilla and almond extracts. Beat until soft.
5. In a separate bowl, whip cream to soft peaks, then fold into cream cheese mixture.
6. Place the bottom layer of cake on the serving plate. Spread 1/4 of the filling on cake layer, then continue to stack up layers with 1/4 of the filling on each layer.
7. Finish top with the final 1/4 of filling. Sides stay unfrosted.

Notes

* 18.25 ounce boxes of cake mix have been replaced by 16.5 ounce and 15.25 ounce boxes. To compensate for the volume loss in a 16 ounce box, whisk 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour into the dry cake mix before proceeding with the recipe. To compensate for the volume loss in a 15.25 ounce box, add 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder.