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Black Forest Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 778 reviews

A classic Black Forest Cake featuring moist chocolate layers, luscious cherry filling, and light whipped cream frosting, garnished with whole cherries and chocolate shavings. This dessert balances rich cocoa and tart cherry flavors for an indulgent treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water

Cherry Filling & Sauce

  • 4 cups frozen cherries
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (adjust to sweetness)
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract (or 1–2 tablespoons Kirsch)
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)

Whipped Cream Frosting

  • 3 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish

  • Whole cherries with stems
  • Chocolate shavings or curls

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper to ensure the cakes don’t stick.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Mix thoroughly until the batter is smooth and uniform.
  4. Incorporate Hot Water: Gradually stir in the hot water; the batter will be thin—that’s expected and helps create a moist crumb.
  5. Bake the Cake Layers: Evenly divide the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely.
  6. Prepare Cherry Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine frozen cherries and granulated sugar. Simmer over medium heat for 8–10 minutes until the cherries release their juices, softening thoroughly.
  7. Reserve Cherry Sauce: Remove about one cup of the cherry mixture and set it aside to use as warm sauce later.
  8. Thicken Cherry Filling: Return the remaining cherries to the heat, stir in the almond extract. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then add it to the cherries. Continue cooking until thickened to a jam-like consistency. Let it cool completely.
  9. Whip the Cream: In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until assembly.
  10. Assemble Cake – Layer One: Place one cooled cake layer on your serving plate. Spread a generous layer of whipped cream on top and pipe a decorative border along the edges. Spoon some cooled cherry filling into the center within the border.
  11. Layer Two: Add the second cake layer on top, repeating the whipped cream layer and cherry filling as before.
  12. Top Layer and Frosting: Place the third cake layer on top. Spread whipped cream evenly over the top and sides of the cake, smoothing it out.
  13. Decorate: Pipe additional whipped cream decoratively around the cake edges. Garnish the top with whole cherries with stems and chocolate shavings or curls for an elegant finish.
  14. Prepare Cherry Sauce for Serving: Before serving, warm the reserved cherry sauce gently over low heat. Use a hand blender to blend it until smooth. Adjust thickness by stirring in a little water or cherry juice to achieve a pourable consistency.
  15. Serve: Serve slices of cake accompanied by the warm cherry sauce poured on the side.

Notes

  • Adjust the sugar in the cherry filling based on the sweetness of your cherries to balance tartness and sweetness.
  • Kirsch cherry brandy can be used instead of almond extract for a traditional flavor, but it is optional.
  • Ensure the whipped cream is chilled before whipping to achieve best volume and texture.
  • You can prepare the cake layers and cherry filling a day ahead to save time on serving day.
  • For an alcohol-free version, omit Kirsch or almond extract.
  • Use frozen cherries year-round if fresh are not available.

Keywords: Black Forest Cake, Chocolate Cake, Cherry Cake, Whipped Cream Frosting, Classic German Dessert

Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/black-forest-cake-recipe/