Chocolate Waffles with Poached Cherries

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder 
• 3 tablespoons butter melted
• 2 pounds cherries fresh pitted rinsed
• 1 large eggs 
• 1 cup flour all-purpose
• 0.8 cup granulated sugar 
• 2 tablespoons juice of lemon 
• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese 
• 1 cup milk 
• 0.3 cup orange juice 
• 6 servings powdered sugar 
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 0.3 cup cocoa powder unsweetened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1  vanilla pod split
• 0.5 cup whipping cream 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• baking sheet
• oven
• whisk
• blender
• waffle iron

Directions

1. In a 3- to 4-quart pan over medium heat, stir cherries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, and vanilla bean until cherries are juicy and sugar is dissolved, 3 minutes. Adjust heat to maintain a simmer; stir occasionally until cherries are soft, about 10 minutes.
2. Remove from heat; if making up to 2 days ahead, cover and chill (reheat before serving).
3. Meanwhile, in a bowl with a mixer on low speed, beat mascarpone, cream, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar until soft peaks form. Cover and chill up to 2 days (if needed, whisk to thicken before serving).
4. In another bowl, mix 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. In a bowl, beat egg to blend with milk and butter. Stir into flour mixture until evenly moistened.
5. Turn a waffle iron to high heat; spray both sides lightly with cooking oil spray. When hot, add about 1 1/4 cups batter; close iron and cook until waffle is well browned, about 9 minutes.
6. Remove waffle; keep warm on a baking sheet in a 200 oven up to 15 minutes. Repeat to cook remaining waffles.
7. Place a waffle on each of 6 dessert plates; sprinkle with powdered sugar. Top with cherries and juice (discard vanilla bean), then mascarpone cream.