Black Forest Cake
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There’s nothing quite like a homemade Black Forest Cake to bring a bit of magic to any occasion. I whip up this beauty whenever I want to treat myself or wow my friends, and it never disappoints. The rich chocolate layers combined with sweet cherries and a cloud of whipped cream are just heavenly! Plus, it’s super straightforward to make, so you won’t be stuck in the kitchen for hours. I love how the flavors come together—each bite is a perfect mix of chocolatey goodness and fruity freshness. Trust me, once you take a slice, you’ll understand why this cake has a special place in my heart!
Why You’ll Love Black Forest Cake
- Decadent Flavor: The rich chocolate cake paired with sweet cherries creates a flavor explosion that is hard to resist. Every bite feels like a little indulgence!
- Impressive Presentation: With its layered look and beautiful garnishes, this cake is a showstopper. It’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just because you want to treat yourself!
- Comforting Texture: The soft, moist cake layers and fluffy whipped cream create a delightful contrast that melts in your mouth. It’s a texture lover’s dream come true.
- Easy to Make: Despite its fancy appearance, this Black Forest Cake is surprisingly simple to whip up. You’ll impress your guests without spending all day in the kitchen.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual get-together or a special celebration, this cake fits right in. It’s versatile enough to make any moment feel extra special.
Ingredients Needed To Make Black Forest Cake
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
- 1.1 GF flour or all purpose flour
- Cocoa powder
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Unsweetened Greek yogurt
- Kosher salt
- Vegetable oil
- Espresso powder
- Fresh brewed coffee
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Fresh cherries
- Cherry pie filling
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings for garnish
Oven Temperatures
Oven temperatures can vary significantly from one oven to another. To achieve consistent results, it’s crucial to know the exact temperature inside your oven. The safest and most accurate way to determine this is by using an oven thermometer. This simple tool can help you avoid underbaking or overbaking your treats.
How To Make Black Forest Cake
- Set your oven to 350°F (or the temperature specified in your recipe) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat your eggs and sugar for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture is pale, frothy, and the sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Add vegetable oil, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until no lumps remain. Avoid overmixing.
- Slowly pour in the hot brewed coffee and gently stir until fully combined. The batter should be smooth and slightly thin.
- Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans.
- Place in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove the pans from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. In a small bowl, mix your fresh, chopped cherries with you cherry pie filling until well blended.
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11. Once the cakes are completely cool, carefully slice each cake in half horizontally to create four even layers.
12. Place the first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of whipped cream (about 1/2 cup) evenly over the surface, followed by 1/3 of the cherry filling.
13. Continue layering the remaining cake layers with whipped cream and cherry filling until all four layers are stacked.
14. Spread whipped cream over the top of the cake. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
15. Slice, serve and enjoy!
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones?
Absolutely! Frozen cherries work well in this recipe, especially if they’re thawed and pitted. Just remember to drain any excess liquid to prevent the filling from becoming too watery.
How do I know when the cakes are done baking?
To check if your cakes are ready, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached, the cakes are done. If it’s still wet with batter, give them a few more minutes in the oven.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cakes in advance. After baking, let them cool completely and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store them in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze them for longer storage.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help maintain its freshness and keep the whipped cream from melting. The cake should stay good for about 3-4 days, but it’s so delicious, it might not last that long!
Can I substitute the whipped cream for something else?
Definitely! If you prefer a different type of frosting, you can use chocolate ganache or a buttercream frosting. Just keep in mind that this will change the flavor profile of the cake, but it can still be delicious.
What Can I Use Instead of Espresso Powder?
If you don’t have espresso powder or wish to avoid caffeine, you can use decaffeinated espresso powder or simply increase the amount of cocoa powder slightly to enhance the chocolate flavor. Another option is to use a strong decaffeinated coffee in place of both the espresso powder and the brewed coffee.
Can I Make This Cake Ahead of Time?
Yes, this cake can be made ahead of time. After baking, it can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Just be sure to keep it covered to prevent it from drying out. Assemble with the cherry filling and whipped cream close to the time of serving for the best taste and texture.
Is There a Substitute for Fresh Cherries?
In the absence of fresh cherries, consider using thawed and drained frozen cherries or canned cherries (well-drained from syrup). Please note that there might be slight variations in texture and sweetness compared to fresh cherries. Alternatively, cherry jam can also serve as a suitable substitute.
Do I have to use whipped cream?
Nope! You can omit it and just use chocolate frosting.
Does this cake have to 4 layers?
If you prefer, you have the flexibility to create a two-layer cake instead. Simply divide the cake batter between two cake pans and adjust the baking time accordingly. This adjustment will result in a different presentation, but the taste and quality will remain delightful.
Black Forest Cake
Equipment
- 2 8" round cake pans
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 2 cups Gluten Free 1.1 flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 5 oz unsweetened Greek yogurt.
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp espresso powder
- 1 cup fresh brewed coffee
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Black Forest Filling
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
- 21 oz cherry pie filling
- 16 oz whipped cream
- chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F and grease two 8-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking. Set Aside.
- Beat Eggs and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat your eggs and sugar for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture is pale, frothy, and the sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add vegetable oil, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until no lumps remain. Avoid overmixing.
- Add Brewed Coffee: Slowly pour in your hot brewed coffee and gently stir until fully combined. The batter should be smooth and slightly thin.
- Divide and Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans. Place in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the Cakes Cool: Remove the pans from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a small bowl, mix fresh, chopped cherries with cherry pie filling until well blended.
- Slice the Cake Layers: Once the cakes are completely cool, carefully slice each cake in half horizontally to create four even layers.
- Layer the Cake: Place the first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of whipped cream (about 1/2 cup) evenly over the surface, followed by 1/3 of the cherry filling.
- Repeat: Continue layering the remaining cake layers with whipped cream and cherry filling until all four layers are stacked
- Frost the Cake: Spread whipped cream over the top of the cake
- Garnish: Sprinkle chocolate shavings or curls on top for a beautiful finishing touch.
- Slice, Serve and Enjoy!
Nutrition
Making this Black Forest Cake is always a hit, whether I’m celebrating a special occasion or just craving something sweet. The combination of rich chocolate, juicy cherries, and fluffy whipped cream never fails to impress. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to put together, making it perfect for both novice bakers and seasoned pros. I can’t wait for you to try it—trust me, it’s a slice of heaven!
