Date&# 44; Dried&# 45;Cherry and Chocolate Torte

Ingredients

1 cup Deglet Noor or Medjool dates (6 oz), pitted and each cut into 6 pieces

1/2 cup Black Sphinx or Medjool dates (3 oz), pitted and each cut into 6 pieces

1 cup dried cherries (preferably tart; 6 oz)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup boiling water

1/4 cup brandy

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 teaspoon finely grated fresh orange zest

6 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), coarsely chopped

3/4 cup pecans (4 1/2 oz), finely chopped