Go Back
–+ servings
Black Forest Cake Recipe

Indulge in Homemade Black Forest Cake Recipe Bliss

This easy Black Forest Cake recipe features moist chocolate layers, tangy cherries, and creamy whipped frosting, making it an irresistible choice for celebrations.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Chilling Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: German
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour Can substitute with gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa for the best results.
  • 2 cups granulated sugar Brown sugar may provide a richer flavor.
  • 2 large eggs Egg replacement may not work well in this recipe due to texture requirements.
  • ½ cup vegetable oil Can substitute with melted butter for a richer flavor.
  • 1 cup buttermilk Use regular milk with a splash of vinegar as a substitute.
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder Do not substitute; both are necessary for the rise.
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda Do not substitute; both are necessary for the rise.
  • 1 teaspoon salt Essential for balancing sweetness.
For the Cherry Filling
  • 1 can cherry filling or cherries in syrup Fresh pitted cherries can be used for a fresher taste.
  • 1 cup Kirsch or cherry juice For non-alcoholic version, replace Kirsch with cherry juice.
For the Frosting
  • 2 cups heavy cream Coconut cream can replace for a non-dairy option.
  • ½ cup powdered sugar Adjust to taste for less sweetness.
For Decoration
  • chocolate shavings Use a vegetable peeler on a chocolate bar for shavings.
  • fresh cherries Ensure they are ripe for the best flavor.

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • cake pans
  • Wire rack
  • Saucepan
  • Mixer
  • spatula
  • Plastic wrap

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add the wet ingredients: eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
  4. Carefully stir in the boiling water until the batter is well combined.
  5. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
  6. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Cherry Filling and Frosting
  1. In a saucepan, combine cherry filling or pitted cherries with sugar and heat until juices release, then thicken with cornstarch.
  2. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
Assembly
  1. Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread whipped cream and cherry filling, then add the second layer.
  2. Frost the cake with the remaining whipped cream and decorate with chocolate shavings and fresh cherries.
  3. Refrigerate the assembled cake for 2-3 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 5gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Using high-quality ingredients and chilling your cream helps achieve the best results for this Black Forest Cake.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!