Black Forest Cake

Tammy Smith

Black Forest Cake is a classic German dessert built from layers of chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and tart cherries, finished with chocolate shavings on top. The cherries are typically soaked in kirsch, which balances the richness of the cake. Plan on about 2 hours from start to finish, including cooling time.

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Prep Time 1

Cook Time 35

Total Time 1 35

Course Dessert

Cuisine Other European

Servings slices

Calories 734 kcal

Equipment

Oven
9-inch cake pans
Mixing Bowls
Electric Mixer
Spatula
Cooling Racks
Whisk

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour sifted
⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder Dutch-process
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 cups granulated sugar
¾ cup buttermilk room temperature
½ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract pure
1 cup boiling water

For the Filling and Frosting:

1 ½ cups heavy cream cold
3 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract pure
24 oz sour cherries pitted, or canned cherries
2 tbsp kirsch

For Garnish:

2 oz dark chocolate shaved
8 whole cherries with stems

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In another large bowl, beat the sugar, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth. Stir in the boiling water until evenly mixed. The batter will be thin.
Divide the batter equally between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the filling, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Once the cakes have cooled, slice each cake layer in half horizontally to create four layers. Drizzle each layer with kirsch.
Assemble the cake by placing one layer on a serving plate. Spread with whipped cream and scatter cherries over it. Repeat with remaining layers. Frost the top and sides with the remaining cream.
Garnish with chocolate shavings and whole cherries. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

To enhance the cherry flavor, consider doubling the cherry syrup or using cherry jam as an additional layer.
For a non-alcoholic version, omit kirsch and use cherry juice instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 734kcalCarbohydrates: 98gProtein: 9gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 489mgPotassium: 473mgFiber: 6gSugar: 68gVitamin A: 818IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 138mgIron: 4mg

Keyword Black Forest Cake, Chocolate Cake, German Dessert

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