Instructions

1. If you want to make the alcoholic version, pit and halve the cherries and soak them in brandy overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 190°C. Lightly grease a 22 cm springform cake pan and line with baking paper.
3. In a bowl mix together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.
4. Beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy, then add the egg and vanilla and beat for another minute.
5. Add the dry ingredients and pour in the milk. Stir and add most of the chocolate chips (for the alcoholic version stir in 1 spoonful of the brandy marinade) .
6. Tip the mixture into the pan. Spread it out evenly, then top with the cherry halves (push these slightly into the batter).
7. Bake for about 30 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Dust with icing sugar just before serving.