The Ultimate Black Forest Cherry Cake Recipe: Sinfully Sweet & Fluffy

Crafting a delectable black forest cherry cake brings pure dessert magic right into your kitchen.

Sweet layers of chocolate sponge dance with plump, juicy cherries.

Rich whipped cream creates dreamy, cloud-like textures between each delicate tier.

Germany’s beloved classic cake promises an indulgent experience for chocolate enthusiasts.

Smooth cocoa and kirsch liqueur blend into a sophisticated symphony of flavors.

Chocolate shavings and fresh cherries crown this magnificent creation with elegant charm.

You’ll fall in love with every decadent bite of this irresistible treat.

Luscious Black Forest Cherry Cake Appeal

• Bake with Ease: This Black Forest Cherry Cake recipe offers straightforward steps that even beginner bakers can master, making it a delightful challenge for those wanting to improve their baking skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or holiday gatherings, this cake impresses guests with its stunning layers and rich chocolate-cherry combination.
• Customize Your Delight: The recipe allows for flexible variations, such as optional cherry liqueur for adults or adjusting sweetness levels, making it adaptable to different taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Sensational Flavor Profile: The rich chocolate cake paired with sweet cherries and light whipped cream creates a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that dance beautifully on the palate, ensuring a memorable dessert experience.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Black Forest Cherry Cake

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

• Eggs: Provide moisture, richness, and help bind the cake ingredients together.
• Milk: Adds moisture and contributes to a smooth cake batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and tender.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, classic flavor to the cake.
• Boiling Water: Helps create a thin, smooth batter and intensifies the chocolate flavor.

• Fresh Cherries, Canned Cherries: Primary flavor component and filling for the cake.
• Cornstarch, Sugar, Water: Used to create a thick, sweet cherry filling.
• Heavy Cream: Base for creating a light and fluffy whipped cream frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream.
• Cherry Liqueur: Optional ingredient that adds depth of flavor to the cake layers.

• Fresh Cherries, Chocolate Shavings: Decorative elements that enhance the cake's visual appeal and flavor.

Baking Instructions for Black Forest Cherry Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to a toasty 350F. Grab three 9-inch round cake pans and generously coat them with grease and flour to ensure a smooth cake release.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Magic

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Rich cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• A pinch of salt

Combine these dry ingredients until perfectly blended.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Milk
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Whip these ingredients on medium speed for two full minutes. Gently stir in boiling water until the batter looks silky and thin.

Step 4: Bake Chocolate Layers

Pour the chocolate batter evenly into the prepared pans. Slide the pans into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean when the cakes are perfectly baked.

Step 5: Cool Cake Layers

Allow cakes to rest in their pans for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to wire racks and let them cool completely.

Step 6: Craft Cherry Filling

• Fresh or frozen cherries
• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Water

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture transforms into a luscious, thick filling. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Step 7: Whip Up Creamy Frosting

• Heavy cream
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Whip until stiff, cloud-like peaks form.

Step 8: Optional Liqueur Layer

For an adult twist, brush each cake layer with cherry liqueur.

Step 9: Assemble Cake Layers

Place the first cake layer on a stunning serving plate. Spread a generous layer of whipped cream frosting, then top with cherry filling. Repeat with remaining layers.

Step 10: Final Frosting Flourish

Lovingly frost the entire cake’s top and sides with the remaining whipped cream.

Step 11: Gorgeous Garnish

Decorate with fresh cherries and delicate chocolate shavings or curls.

Step 12: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the cake for at least one hour to let the flavors mingle and set. Slice, serve, and watch everyone swoon!

Pro Secrets for Black Forest Cherry Cake Success

• Select Perfect Cake Layers: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even cake batter and prevent lumps.
• Boost Cherry Flavor: Soak dried cherries in cherry liqueur before adding to filling for extra intense taste and moisture.
• Create Smooth Frosting: Chill mixing bowl and whisk before whipping cream to help stabilize and create perfect peaks quickly.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Let cake layers cool completely and pat cherries dry to avoid excess liquid making cake layers wet.
• Master Chocolate Shavings: Use a vegetable peeler against room temperature chocolate bar's edge to create delicate, elegant curls for garnishing.

Flavor Variations of Black Forest Cherry Cake

• Gluten-Free Black Forest Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cake's rich chocolate flavor.
• Dairy-Free Chocolate Cherry Delight: Swap heavy cream with coconut cream and use plant-based milk instead of dairy milk to create a vegan-friendly alternative that's equally luscious.
• Low-Sugar Cherry Chocolate Cake: Substitute sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener and use sugar-free cherry preserves to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the classic taste profile.
• Alcohol-Free Black Forest Variation: Replace cherry liqueur with cherry juice or syrup for a family-friendly version that still captures the traditional cake's essence.

Perfect Pairings with Black Forest Cherry Cake

• Pair Decadent Kirsch with Cake: Sip traditional German cherry brandy alongside each slice, enhancing the cake's rich cherry and chocolate flavors with a smooth, warming liqueur kick.
• Complement with Rich Coffee: Brew a strong espresso or dark roast coffee to balance the cake's sweetness, cutting through the creamy frosting and highlighting the deep chocolate notes.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop cold, smooth vanilla ice cream as a refreshing contrast to the dense cake, creating a luxurious dessert experience with complementary temperatures and textures.
• Match with Dark Red Wine: Select a fruity Pinot Noir or robust Merlot that mirrors the cake's cherry essence, providing a sophisticated wine pairing that elevates the dessert's complex flavors.

Storage Advice for Black Forest Cherry Cake

• Store the Black Forest Cherry Cake in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The cake will maintain its moisture and flavor when properly sealed.
• Wrap the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Cut cake into portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
• Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. For frozen slices, let thaw completely.

Black Forest Cherry Cake FAQs

• What is the key to making the cake layers moist?

The secret is adding boiling water to the batter, which helps create a tender and soft chocolate cake texture that stays incredibly moist.

• Can I substitute the cherry liqueur?

If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can use cherry juice or syrup from the canned cherries to brush the cake layers for added flavor.

• How do I prevent the whipped cream from becoming runny?

Use cold heavy cream and powdered sugar, and beat until stiff peaks form. Chill the mixing bowl and beaters beforehand to help stabilize the whipped cream.

• What type of cocoa powder works best for this cake?

Dutch-processed cocoa powder is ideal as it provides a rich, deep chocolate flavor and helps create a more tender cake texture.

Luscious Black Forest Cherry Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 60 minutes (or 2 hours)
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Black forest cherry cake weaves German culinary magic with rich chocolate layers, velvety cream, and plump cherries. Sweet indulgence awaits when you slice into this classic dessert that whispers delightful stories of European baking tradition.

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Ingredients

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Main Cake Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups (350 grams) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) boiling water

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Binding Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare three 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and dusting with flour.
2. Combine dry ingredients – flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – in a large mixing bowl.
3. Incorporate eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Blend thoroughly on medium speed for 2 minutes.
4. Gently fold in boiling water until the batter becomes smooth and thin.
5. Distribute batter evenly across the prepared cake pans.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
7. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling.
8. Create cherry filling by simmering cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and water in a saucepan over medium heat until thickened.
9. Remove cherry mixture from heat and cool thoroughly.
10. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks develop.
11. Optional: Delicately brush cake layers with cherry liqueur.
12. Assemble cake by layering: first cake, whipped cream, cherry filling – repeat for subsequent layers.
13. Cover entire cake with remaining whipped cream frosting.
14. Decorate with fresh cherries and chocolate shavings.
15. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour before serving to enhance flavor and texture.

Notes

• Ensure cake layers are completely cooled before assembling to prevent whipped cream from melting and sliding off.
• Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly to avoid excess liquid making the cake soggy.
• Replace cherry liqueur with cherry juice or syrup for a non-alcoholic version that maintains authentic flavor.
• Dust cake layers with cocoa powder before adding cream for extra chocolate intensity and moisture prevention.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 265 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg