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Delicious Black Forest Cake with chocolate layers, cherries, and whipped cream frosting.

Black Forest Cake

A delicious and easy-to-make Black Forest Cake featuring rich chocolate layers, juicy cherries, and fluffy whipped cream that will impress your guests.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 pieces
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, German
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cake Layers
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk or buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot coffee or hot water for a deeper chocolate flavor
Filling and Topping
  • 1 jar canned sour cherries or jarred cherries in syrup
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream must be cold and suitable for whipping
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar for sweetening cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract for flavoring cream
  • 1 bar chocolate shavings or curls chocolate bar scraped with a peeler
  • 2 tbsp cherry liqueur or kirsch optional, for traditional flavor

Method
 

Preparing the Cake
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the bottoms of your pans with parchment paper. Grease the sides.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add the eggs, milk or buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
  4. Pour in the hot coffee or water and stir until well combined. The batter should be thin.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
  6. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Assembling the Cake
  1. Once the cake layers are fully cooled, place the first layer on a serving plate.
  2. Brush or spoon cherry syrup over the top of the first layer.
  3. Spread a thick layer of whipped cream on top.
  4. Add a generous handful of cherries, pressing them into the cream.
  5. Repeat the layering for additional layers if using.
  6. Cover the top and sides with remaining whipped cream and sprinkle chocolate shavings on top.
Making the Whipped Cream
  1. Chill your mixing bowl and whisk in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Pour cold heavy cream into the bowl and add powdered sugar and vanilla.
  3. Whip the mixture until it forms soft peaks, then continue to whip to medium peaks.
  4. Be careful not to overwhip, or it may become grainy.

Notes

For best results, chill the assembled cake before serving. It can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, but is best enjoyed in the first two days.