Earl Grey Devil's Food Cakes with Cherries

Contributed by Zak Pelaccio

In a medium saucepan, scald the cream. Off the heat, add the chocolate and let stand for 5 minutes; whisk until smooth. Add the cold butter and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
In a nonreactive medium saucepan, combine the cherries with 3 tablespoons of the sugar and the lemon juice and let stand for 30 minutes. Boil for 5 minutes, then cool.
Preheat the oven to 375°. Butter and flour 8 muffin cups. In a large bowl, whisk the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar with the flour, cocoa, baking soda and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk the egg with the egg yolk, buttermilk, tea and melted butter; whisk into the dry ingredients.
Pour the batter into the cups and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool slightly, then invert the cakes on a rack; let cool. Set the cakes on plates upside down and top with chocolate ganache. Spoon on the cherries, sprinkle with nuts and serve.