Black Forest Cake
User Reviews
4.6
108 reviews
Excellent
Black Forest Cake
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Black Forest Cake is a layered chocolate cake featuring a rich chocolate sponge combined with a cherry filling, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream topping. It incorporates tart cherries and almond extract for characteristic flavor. The cake is moist and tender with a balance of sweet and tart components, enhanced by a whipped cream and bittersweet chocolate garnish, creating a classic, indulgent dessert.
Description
The cake batter blends all-purpose flour with Dutch-processed cocoa powder, baking agents, buttermilk, sugar, eggs, and an optional touch of instant coffee for depth. The batter is mixed carefully to maintain airiness and is divided evenly into round pans for baking. The resulting layers bake to a tender crumb with a dark chocolate flavor.
Between the layers, a cherry filling is prepared from tart cherries combined with sugar and cornstarch thickening agents, imparting a slightly thickened, fruit-forward component. The addition of almond extract brings a subtle nutty aroma. Chocolate syrup is also layered to enhance the chocolate intensity.
The cake is finished with whipped cream sweetened with powdered sugar and vanilla. Bittersweet baking chocolate shards decorate the top for texture and an additional deep chocolate note. Fresh cherries can be added as garnish to complete the traditional presentation.
Using lighter-colored baking pans helps prevent overly dark, crisp edges that could become bitter, ensuring an even texture through the cake layers. Bakers are encouraged to use their preferred chocolate cake recipe if desired.
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Ingredients
for the chocolate cake-
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup dutch processed cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee such as Folger's (optional
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil canola oil
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 whole egg
- 1 egg white
for the cherry filling and chocolate syrup layer-
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups tart cherries frozen or canned (drained) + extra for garnish if not using fresh
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 6 tablespoons chocolate syrup divided
for the whipped cream and toppings-
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 8 oz bittersweet baking chocolate I used Ghirardelli (2 bars)
- 8-12 Cherry optional, for garnish, fresh
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line two 8-inch round baking pan with parchment paper and/or spray well with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt together to combine. Set aside.
- In a liquid measuring cup, stir buttermilk, instant coffee granules (if using) and vanilla together. You want to stir to dissolve the coffee granules. They will slowly dissolve over the course of 5-10 minutes as they sit in the buttermilk and as you add them into the chocolate cake batter. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix oil and sugar together until combined. Add in the eggs and egg white, one at a time, until mixture becomes lighter in color. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix again briefly.Alternate adding in flour mixture with milk mixture, being sure to start and end with flour. Scrape the sides and mix again to ensure a smooth batter.
- Using an ice cream scoop, divide chocolate cake batter evenly between 2 baking pans and smooth the tops. Bake 28-35 minutes in the lower 2/3rds of the oven. Cake will be done when a toothpick comes out clean or mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. (Keep a close eye on the cake around the 25 minute mark, as ovens vary!)
- Cool 15-20 minutes in cake pans before trying to invert on cooling racks. Once you can handle the warm pans with your bare hands, you can flip them out. Cool completely before frosting and decorating.
- For the Cherry Filling:
- For the cherry filling, stir sugar and cornstarch together in a cold small pot until combined. Add in cherries and toss. Place over medium-low heat to melt frozen cherries. Once a paste has formed around the cherries, increase the heat to medium and keep stirring until all the liquid has come out of the cherries and the mixture is boiling. Continue to stir until it becomes very thick, about 4 minutes or boiling. Be careful to not walk away from this mixture because it can burn easily. Remove from heat and stir in butter and almond extract. Cool completely.
- Make the Whipped Cream
- For the whipped cream, whip heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Assemble
- Slice both 8-inch cake rounds in half horizontally (this leaves you with four 8-inch cake rounds).
- Place one round onto a cake plate then drizzle the top of the cake with 3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup and spread using the back of a spoon. Top with the other half of the cake round.
- Add on cooled cherry filling leaving a 1-inch border. (You will not use all of it…FYI! I had about 2 tablespoons left).
- Place another layer of cake on top of cherry filling. Drizzle with the remaining 3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup and spread. Top with the remaining cake layer.
Decorate
- Spread whipped cream over the entire cake. I find it always better to add way too much and then as I clean up the cake, I remove the excess. This helps ensure not a ton of crumbs get into your cream. Get decorative on top with a few piped rosettes with a fresh cherry on top of each if desired.
- If desired use a vegetable peeler to create chocolate shavings with the chocolate baking bar. Freeze 5 minutes before applying to the sides and top of the black forest cake.
Notes
- The chocolate cake portion can be substituted with any preferred chocolate cake recipe.
- Use lighter-colored or glass pans to ensure even baking and avoid very dark, crisp edges.
- Fresh or drained canned cherries can be used for the filling and garnish.
- Adding instant coffee to the batter deepens the chocolate flavor but is optional.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
481kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
78g
(26%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
47mg
(16%)
Sodium
256mg
(11%)
Potassium
377mg
(8%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
54g
(108%)
Vitamin A
532IU
(11%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
100mg
(10%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 481 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 481kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 78g | 26% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 47mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 256mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 377mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 54g | 108% |
| Vitamin A | 532IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 100mg | 10% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
108 reviews
Excellent
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