Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup (packed) dried Bing (sweet) cherries
• 1/3 cup kirsch (clear cherry brandy)
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon (scant) salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 6 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
• Powdered sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions

1. Stir 1/2 cup water and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves and syrup comes to boil. Add cherries. Remove mixture from heat; cool 30 minutes. Mix in kirsch. Cover and refrigerate 1 day.
2. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Sift flour, cocoa, and salt over; beat to blend. Using moistened fingertips, press dough over bottom and up sides of 11-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Drain cherries, reserving cherry syrup. Sprinkle cherries in crust. Combine eggs, corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt in large bowl. Add sugar and 1/4 cup cherry syrup; beat to blend. Mix in chocolate. Pour filling into crust.
4. Bake tart until set in center, about 1 hour. Cool on rack 30 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; store at room temperature.) Release tart from pan. Dust with powdered sugar and cocoa. Serve warm or at room temperature.