Tart and Sweet White Forest Cake
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I have to admit, I had never even heard of White Forest Cake until recently, but now it might just be my new favorite! The sweet cherries paired with the vanilla cake are such a perfect combo, and I’m completely hooked. I used Lakewood Organic Black Cherry Juice for the cherry filling, and that juice really brings an extra burst of flavor to the whole cake. It’s one of those desserts that’s as simple to make as it is delicious, with just a few basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. What’s even better? It’s totally impressive, yet won’t keep you in the kitchen for hours. Whether you’re making it for a celebration or just because, I promise this cake will not disappoint!
Why You’ll Love White Forest Cake
- Perfect Cherry Flavor: The combination of fresh cherries and Lakewood Organic Black Cherry Juice creates a rich, intense cherry filling that stands out in every bite.
- Soft, Fluffy Cake: The vanilla cake is light and airy with a tender crumb, making it the perfect backdrop for the cherry filling.
- Simple Ingredients: You won’t need any fancy ingredients—just basics like yogurt, flour, and eggs to create this beautiful cake.
- Great for Special Occasions: With its layers of cake and cherry filling, it’s an elegant dessert that feels special without being too complicated.
- Easy to Make: Despite its impressive look, the recipe is simple enough for anyone to tackle—whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner.
Ingredients Needed To Make White Forest Cake
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
- Cherries (fresh or frozen)
- Lakewood Organic Black Cherry Juice
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Kosher salt
- Egg whites
- Vanilla extract
- Vanilla or plain yogurt
- Milk
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla frosting (for decoration)
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 White Forest Cake
- Prepare the cherry filling by cooking the cherries with sugar and cherry juice until it thickens. Let it cool.
- Preheat the oven and prepare the cake pans.
- Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients together until just mixed.
- Divide the batter between the cake pans and bake until done.
- Let the cakes cool, and optionally trim the tops.
- Assemble the cake by layering the cake and cherry filling.
- Frost the outside of the cake and decorate as desired.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of fruit for the filling?
While this recipe calls for cherries, you can certainly experiment with other fruits like blueberries or raspberries. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change, but it’ll still be delicious! Make sure to adjust the sugar to balance the sweetness of the fruit you choose.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to keep it fresh for longer, you can refrigerate it. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving, as it tastes best when it’s a little warmer.
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Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes! This cake can be made a day ahead. Just let the cake cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The cherry filling and frosting will keep the cake moist, and it actually tastes even better the next day when the flavors have had time to set.
How do I frost the cake without making a mess?
A good tip for frosting a cake without too much mess is to place the cake on a turntable or rotating plate. Start by applying a thin layer of frosting to seal in any crumbs, then chill the cake briefly before applying a final, smooth layer of frosting. This helps achieve a neat, professional-looking finish.
White Forest Cake
Equipment
- 2 (9-inch) round cake pans
- Baking spray
- Toothpick or cake tester
- Cake knife (for trimming layers)
Ingredients
Cherry Filling
- 4 cups cherries fresh or frozen
- 1 cup Black Cherry Juice
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch
Cake
- 3 ½ cups 1.1 GF flour or all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 8 egg whites
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups vanilla or plain yogurt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- White Chocolate Frosting for decoration
Instructions
Cherry Filling
- If using fresh cherries, pit and remove the stems.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of water to create a slurry.
- Place a large stockpot over medium-low heat. Add the cherries, sugar, cherry juice, and cornstarch slurry to the pot.
- Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens into a sauce.
- Remove from heat and refrigerate the cherry filling to cool while preparing the cake.
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with baking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: egg whites, vanilla extract, yogurt, milk, and vegetable oil.
- Gradually combine the wet ingredients with the dry, stirring until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 33–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely. Optionally, trim the tops of the cakes to remove any browning.
Assembling the Cake
- Optional: Slice each cake horizontally into two layers to create four layers in total.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread ½ cup of cherry filling evenly over the top.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining cake layers and cherry filling.
- Frost the outside of the cake with white chocolate frosting, smoothing it with a spatula.
- Decorate as desired and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
This White Forest Cake is definitely going to be a go-to in my baking rotation from now on. The combination of cherries and vanilla is just irresistible, and the fluffy cake layers make it feel extra special. Whether you’re making it for a celebration or just because, it’s bound to impress anyone who gets a bite!
Wow! Perfect for a Christmas cake! The texture of this is smooth as silk and it is fabulously delicious (my family repeatedly reminded me)! I baked 3 cake layers with the recipe instead of baking 2 and splitting them. It was still beautiful. I made the 3 layers a week early and froze them. One day before I planned to assemble the cake, I moved the layers into the fridge to thaw. Next day was assembly day and it all came together just beautifully! Today we definitely enjoyed it! This recipe is going on my favorites list.
Hi there,
Can butter be substituted for the vegetable oil?
Yes- melted and cooled 🙂