Indulge in Our Dreamy Black Forest Cake Recipe

Crafting a decadent Black Forest cake sparks pure culinary magic for dessert enthusiasts everywhere.

Sweet chocolate layers whisper promises of indulgence waiting to unfold.

Rich cherries nestle between delicate sponge tiers, creating a symphony of flavors.

Whipped cream swirls promise a cloud-like embrace that melts on your tongue.

German baking traditions shine through every carefully constructed slice of this classic treat.

Silky ganache and plump kirsch-soaked cherries dance together in delightful harmony.

You won’t be able to resist this irresistible chocolate masterpiece that beckons with each luxurious bite.

What Makes Black Forest Cake So Tempting

• Indulge in Decadence: This Black Forest Cake delivers a rich, luxurious dessert experience that feels like a celebration on every plate.
• Master Impressive Baking: With straightforward steps and basic ingredients, home bakers can create a stunning German classic that looks professionally crafted.
• Perfect for Special Moments: Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or holiday gathering, this cake transforms any occasion into a memorable celebration with its stunning layers and elegant presentation.
• Customize with Ease: Bakers can personalize the recipe by adjusting kirsch intensity or adding extra chocolate shavings, making it adaptable to different taste preferences and skill levels.

Ingredients for Black Forest Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundational dry ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cake layers.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind the cake ingredients together.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a moist and tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and help bind the cake ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Boiling Water: Helps create a thin, smooth batter and intensifies the chocolate taste.

• Fresh Cherries, Kirsch: Classic Black Forest cake combination that adds fruity flavor and moisture.
• Whipped Cream: Provides a light, creamy layer between cake layers and covers the exterior.
• Chocolate Shavings: Decorative element that adds texture and visual appeal to the cake.

How to Bake Black Forest Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350F (175C). Generously coat two 9-inch round cake pans with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Magic

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Ensure all ingredients are well combined and free of lumps.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Whole milk
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Whisk thoroughly until the batter becomes silky smooth and uniform in color.

Step 4: Add Liquid Surprise

Slowly stream in boiling water while stirring. The batter will transform into a thin, liquid consistency – this is totally normal and creates an incredibly moist cake.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Divide the batter equally between prepared pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean with no wet batter.

Step 6: Cool and Prepare Layers

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and allow complete cooling. Once cooled, carefully slice each cake horizontally to create multiple layers.

Step 7: Infuse Cherries

Gently toss fresh cherries with kirsch liqueur for an extra flavor boost.

Step 8: Assemble Cake Layers

• Whipped cream
• Soaked cherries
• Delicate chocolate shavings

Repeat for each layer, creating a stunning height and flavor profile.

Step 9: Final Frosting

Coat the entire cake with a light, elegant layer of whipped cream. Garnish with additional cherries and chocolate shavings for a showstopping presentation.

Helpful Tips for Black Forest Cake

• Use high-quality cocoa powder, fresh eggs, and ripe cherries for the most decadent flavor profile.
• Add a tablespoon of powdered sugar and a teaspoon of cornstarch to prevent cream from deflating during assembly.
• Pat cherries dry after soaking in kirsch to prevent excess liquid from making cake layers soggy.
• Ensure boiling water is added slowly and mixed gently to maintain a light, airy cake consistency.
• Chill cake layers for 15-20 minutes before slicing to prevent crumbling and create clean, even cuts.

Flavorful Twists for Black Forest Cake

• Gluten-Free Black Forest Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free baking flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Dairy-Free Forest Delight: Substitute cow's milk with coconut milk and use coconut cream instead of traditional whipped cream for lactose-intolerant bakers.
• Low-Sugar Black Forest Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener in place of sugar, and select dark cherries with reduced sugar content for diabetic-friendly version.
• Vegan Forest Cake: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based milk, and swap dairy cream with cashew or coconut whipped cream for completely plant-based alternative.

Best Pairings for Black Forest Cake

Brew a rich espresso and spike it with kirsch for a boozy twist that echoes the cake’s cherry and liqueur notes.

Mix dark rum, cherry liqueur, and chocolate liqueur to create a drink that mirrors the cake’s decadent flavor profile.

Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cake to balance its rich chocolate and cherry intensity.

Select a smooth, sweet port wine with deep cherry undertones to amplify the cake’s fruity and chocolate dimensions.

How to Store Luxurious Black Forest Cake Properly

• Store covered in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve whipped cream texture.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Keep in a cool, dry place for maximum 6 hours. Avoid direct sunlight or warm areas that might compromise cream's stability.
• Individually wrap cake slices in plastic wrap, then store in a sealed container to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.

FAQs

• What is kirsch and can I skip it?

Kirsch is a cherry brandy that adds a rich, authentic flavor to Black Forest cake. If you prefer, you can substitute with cherry juice or omit it entirely without significantly impacting the cake’s taste.

• How do I make perfect chocolate shavings?

Use a vegetable peeler on a room temperature chocolate bar, drawing it along the edge to create thin, delicate curls. For best results, use high-quality dark chocolate that’s slightly firm but not cold.

• Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?

Yes, absolutely! Thaw and drain frozen cherries thoroughly before using. Pat them dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making your cake soggy. Fresh or canned cherries work equally well.

Luxurious Black Forest Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate layers dripping with black forest cake promise German dessert perfection. Elegant kirsch-soaked cherries and silky cream whisper sweet indulgence for chocolate enthusiasts seeking pure culinary bliss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Base:

• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) boiling water

Toppings and Filling:

• 2 cups (300 grams) pitted dark sweet cherries
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) kirsch
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings

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Instructions

1. Calibrate the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by lightly greasing and dusting with flour.
2. Meticulously sift the dry ingredients together in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring a uniform blend of flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Incorporate liquid components – milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract – into the dry mixture, whisking until the batter achieves a silky, homogeneous consistency.
4. Gradually introduce boiling water, which will create an unusually thin cake batter; stir gently to maintain smooth texture.
5. Distribute the batter evenly between the prepared pans, aiming for balanced cake layers.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the cake’s center.
7. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
8. Once completely cooled, delicately slice each cake horizontally to create multiple elegant layers.
9. Gently macerate cherries with kirsch, allowing the fruit to absorb the liqueur’s rich flavor.
10. Construct the cake by spreading luxurious whipped cream between each layer, generously sprinkling kirsch-soaked cherries and delicate chocolate shavings.
11. Finish by enrobing the entire cake with a gossamer layer of whipped cream, artfully garnishing with additional cherries and chocolate shavings.

Notes

• Embrace room temperature ingredients for smoother cake batter and more consistent mixing.
• Consider using dark cocoa powder to intensify the chocolate flavor and create a richer color.
• Opt for fresh, high-quality cherries to elevate the cake’s authenticity and taste profile.
• Swap kirsch with cherry juice for a non-alcoholic version that maintains the traditional Black Forest essence.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg