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Top with remaining cake layer and brush heavily with syrup. Place another cake layer on top and repeat. Cover with half of the reserved cherries. Spread 1 1/4 cups of frosting over the top of the cake.
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Place 1 layer of cake on a platter and brush heavily with cherry syrup.Transfer 1 cup of the frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and set aside.While beating, slowly pour the gelatin mixture into the whipped cream until combined. If necessary, microwave in 5-second increments to dissolve gelatin completely. Beat the heavy cream with the powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Make frosting: In a medium heatproof bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup boiling water and whisk to dissolve.
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Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. In a small saucepan, combine reserved juice with ½ cup sugar. Meanwhile, make syrup: Drain cherries, reserving 1/2 cup juice. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely. Divide cake batter between prepared pans and bake according to package instructions or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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