Black Forest Cake is a beloved dessert that originates from Germany. This indulgent cake layers rich chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and sweet-tart cherries to create a treat that is both visually stunning and delicious.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Classic and Timeless: Black Forest Cake has a long-standing place in the world of desserts. It’s perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion.
Decadent Layers: The richness of chocolate cake paired with the lightness of whipped cream and the tartness of cherries makes every bite a perfect combination of textures and flavors.
Simple Ingredients: While the recipe may sound elaborate, it uses simple ingredients that are easily accessible, making it a manageable yet impressive dessert to make at home.
Customizable: Whether you prefer your cake more chocolatey, want to adjust the sweetness, or prefer fresh cherries over canned, this cake is easily adaptable to your tastes.

Tips and Tricks

Use Buttermilk for Moisture: The use of buttermilk in the cake helps it stay moist and tender. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for a few minutes.

Do Not Overbake the Cake: Overbaking can result in a dry cake. Start checking for doneness at 30 minutes, and remove the cake once a toothpick comes out clean.

Chill Your Whipped Cream: For better results when whipping cream, chill both your bowl and beaters for 15-20 minutes before use.

Let the Cake Cool Completely: Ensure the cake is fully cooled before assembling the layers. Otherwise, the whipped cream could melt and the layers may slide apart.

Make Ahead: The cake can be baked a day ahead and stored at room temperature. Just wait to assemble it until you’re ready to serve.

Variations

Fresh Cherries vs. Jarred: Fresh cherries can add a burst of flavor and freshness, though jarred cherries are more traditional and often come with syrup that adds moisture to the cake layers.
Chocolate Ganache: For a richer finish, consider using chocolate ganache instead of whipped cream for the frosting. This will give the cake a shiny, smooth finish and a more intense chocolate flavor.
Add a Layer of Jam: Some variations of Black Forest Cake include a thin layer of cherry jam between the cake layers for added sweetness and depth of flavor.
Vegan Black Forest Cake: For a vegan version, swap the eggs for flax eggs, use dairy-free cream for the frosting, and choose a plant-based milk such as almond or soy.

How to Serve

Black Forest Cake is an impressive dessert that deserves to be the centerpiece of any occasion. When serving, it’s best to slice into generous wedges and pair with a cup of coffee or a glass of dessert wine. Here are a few more ways to serve:

Top with More Cherries: Add extra fresh cherries on top or around the sides for a colorful, fruity presentation.
Serve with Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream on the side will complement the rich cake and creamy frosting.
Pair with Hot Beverages: Serve with coffee, hot chocolate, or even a light red wine like a Pinot Noir to balance the sweetness.

How to Store

In the Refrigerator: Since the frosting is made with whipped cream, store any leftovers in the fridge. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it fresh for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: You can freeze Black Forest Cake if you want to make it ahead of time. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and then foil, or store the entire cake in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Recipe FAQs

1. Can I use a different kind of fruit in Black Forest Cake? While traditional Black Forest Cake uses cherries, you can experiment with other fruits like raspberries or strawberries. However, cherries give the cake its signature flavor and look, so consider sticking with them for the best results.

2. Can I make this cake without using alcohol? Yes! The cherry liqueur is optional. You can skip it or use a non-alcoholic cherry syrup if you prefer a more family-friendly version.

3. Why is my whipped cream not stiff enough?

Ensure that your heavy cream is very cold, and don’t overwhip it. If you overwhip, the cream will turn into butter. Stop whipping once you see stiff peaks form.

4. How can I make the cake layers more moist?

Drizzling a little cherry syrup or cherry juice between the layers can help keep the cake moist and enhance the cherry flavor.

5. How long can I keep Black Forest Cake?

This cake can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but it still tastes great a few days later!

Yield: 12

Black Forest Cake

Prep Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp espresso powder (optional)
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
2 large eggs (room temperature)
¾ cup sour cream (room temperature)
½ cup buttermilk (room temperature)
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup hot water or coffee
2 cans (15 oz each) dark sweet cherries in heavy syrup
2 tbsp cherry liquor (kirsch or kirschwasser)

For the Chocolate Ganache:

1 cup heavy cream
2 semi-sweet chocolate bars (4 oz each), finely chopped
1 tbsp light corn syrup (optional)

For the Whipped Cream:

2 cups cold heavy cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease three 9-inch cake pans and line with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder (if using). Set aside.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer, beat the oil, eggs, sour cream, buttermilk, and vanilla until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and hot water/coffee, mixing until smooth.
Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly among the three pans. Bake for 21-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 30 minutes before removing and transferring to a wire rack.
Prepare the Syrup: Drain the cherries, reserving ¾ cup of the syrup. In a saucepan, simmer the syrup and cherry liquor over low heat until reduced by half. Set aside to cool.
Make the Ganache: Place the chopped chocolate in a bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it starts to simmer (don’t let it boil). Pour the cream over the chocolate, let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then stir until smooth. Cool for 10 minutes.
Whip the Cream: In a stand mixer, whip the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla on medium-high speed until soft peaks form (about 3 minutes).
Assemble the Cake: Slice the tops off the cooled cake layers to level them. Place one layer on a cake stand, spread a cup of whipped cream on top, add half of the halved cherries, and drizzle with reduced syrup. Repeat with the second layer, then top with the third cake layer.
Decorate the Cake: Spread the remaining whipped cream over the top and sides. Pour the ganache over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Garnish with whole cherries. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
For a moist cake, use room-temperature ingredients and make sure not to overbake.
Use fresh cherries if available, or opt for high-quality canned cherries for the best flavor.
Chill your cream before whipping for the best results.
Serve chilled, with extra whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Black Forest Cake pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or a sweet dessert wine.
Store any leftover cake at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate for up to a week. Cover the cake tightly to keep it fresh.

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 606Total Fat 37gSaturated Fat 17gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 107mgSodium 504mgCarbohydrates 63gFiber 2gSugar 43gProtein 7g

TastyFitnessRecipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although tastyfitnessrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Final Thoughts

Name: Black Forest Cake
Prep time: 1 h 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar; 2 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp salt; 2 tsp espresso powder (optional); ½ cup canola or vegetable oil; 2 large eggs (room temperature); ¾ cup sour cream (room temperature); ½ cup buttermilk (room temperature); 2 tsp vanilla extract; ½ cup hot water or coffee; 2 cans (15 oz each) dark sweet cherries in heavy syrup; 2 tbsp cherry liquor (kirsch or kirschwasser); 1 cup heavy cream; 2 semi-sweet chocolate bars (4 oz each), finely chopped; 1 tbsp light corn syrup (optional); 2 cups cold heavy cream; ¼ cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract

Black Forest Cake is a rich, delicious dessert that is sure to be the highlight of any gathering. With its combination of moist chocolate layers, light whipped cream, and juicy cherries, this cake is an indulgence that will leave everyone asking for more. Whether it’s a special occasion or just a treat for yourself, Black Forest Cake never fails to impress.

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