Black and White Pistachio Cake

Cake:
1 (18.25 ounce) box marble cake mix
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:
2 small boxes instant pistachio pudding and pie filling mix
3 cups milk
1/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained
1/4 cup chopped pistachio nuts

Frosting:
1 1/4 cups cold milk
1 small box instant pistachio pudding and pie filling mix
2 envelopes whipped topping mix
Additional maraschino cherries and pistachio nuts (optional)

Cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.

Combine cake mix, eggs, water, oil and vanilla extract in large bowl. Mix according to package directions. Spread half of batter in one pan. Stir contents of chocolate packet into remaining batter. Spread chocolate batter in second pan. Bake and cool according to package directions.

Filling: Prepare pudding mix using 3 cups milk. Stir in cherries and pistachios. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Frosting: Combine milk, pudding mix and whipped topping mix in large bowl. Beat at low speed with electric mixer until blended. Beat at high speed 2 to 3 minutes or until stiff, scraping sides of bowl often.

To assemble cake, split each cake layer in half. Alternate chocolate cake layer with white cake layer, spreading filling between each layer. Frost top and side of cake with frosting. Garnish with maraschino cherries and pistachios, if desired.