<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Hi Listmates

I had quite a few responses to my post regarding whether Cherry Heering was
GF or not.

Most of the posts asked for the recipe for the cake I required it for, so
the recipe follows this summary.

One poster indicated that I try to contact the distributor.  I did this and
although they tried to be helpful, they were not able to confirm the gf
status of Cherry Heering Liqueur because they did not have the ingredient
list.  The gaming commission suggested substituting Cherry Kirsh or a good
Cherry Brandy (both of which he indicated should be GF.

Another poster suggested to simplify the recipe as they felt that the more
manufactured a product is the more likely it is to contain gluten.  It was
suggested to try making a sauce from fresh cherries, sweetened with natural
honey and without liquor.  At this time of the year, in Alberta, it is not
possible to find fresh cherries, but would be a consideration for the summer
months.

A few other posters indicated that if the Cherry Heering was a good brandy
and imported from Denmark (which it is and made exclusively by the Heering
family), then it should be GF, as in the process of making brandy in Denmark
there is no wheat mash or grain alcohol added (this from someone who lived
in Denmark and very familiar with the process).

I also did receive a recipe for making my own brandy (sounds really good),
but need to start a year in advance, so maybe for the future.

All said and done, we decided to go ahead and use the Heering ... and
fortunately it turned out yummy with no ill effects.  Everyone (celiac and
non celiacs) who had the cake said that is was great! I hope to confirm the
GF status still, but was running out of time, or at least find a brand of
brandy that is confirmed GF,  just for ease of mind.

Thank you to everyone who replied with suggestions, information and
comments.
Susan
Calgary, Canada

Here is the recipe - remember all ingredients are to be GF brands

Chocolate Cherry Pudding Cake with Cream Cheese Filling

Pudding Cake
1 package (4 oz serving size) Chocolate instant pudding (I use JELL-O brand)
1 package (2 layer size) Devils Food or Chocolate Cake Mix (I used Cellimix
brand)
   OR the dry ingredients to your favorite GF Chocolate Cake recipe.
4 eggs
1 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbsp Cherry Brandy

Cream Cheese Filling
1 package (250 g) cream cheese, softened (I used Philadelphia Brand)
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp milk
2 cups prepared dessert topping (I used 1 package of Dream Whip Brand and
prepared it as per the directions)

Cherry Sauce
1 can (19 oz/540 ml) Cherry Pie Filling (I used ED Smith Light)
1/2 cup water
1 Tbsp Cherry Brandy

Pudding Cake:  Combine cake ingredients in large mixer bowl; beat at medium
speed for 4 minutes.  Pour into greased and rice floured 10" tub pan (or two
8" rounds).  Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes (tube pan) or 25-30 minutes
(round pans) or until tested done.  Cool in pans for 15 minutes, remove and
finish cooling on racks. Sprinkle with icing sugar if desired.

Cream Cheese Filling:  Beat cream cheese, sugar and milk until fluffy.  Fold
into prepared dessert topping.  Spoon about 1-1/4 cups into cake centre
(tube pan) or between layers of rounds, and in centre of top round.

Cherry Sauce:  Combine pie filling, water and Cherry Brandy in saucepan.
Stir over medium heat until blended and heated through.  Spoon part of the
warm sauce over the cake (around the outer edge and let it drip down the
side).  Serve cake sliced with reserved filling and sauce.

Store in refrigerator.