How to Make the Perfect Black Forest Cake
German-American · Easy · 60 min · 12 servings
This stunning Black Forest Cake layers rich chocolate cake with whipped cream and cherry filling making it a truly spectacular kid friendly celebration cake. The combination of chocolate and cherries is universally loved by children and adults alike at birthday parties and holidays.
Why this recipe works
This Black Forest Cake recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 60 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 450 calories with 6g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1.75 cups granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 whole large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 can cherry pie filling
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Bake the Chocolate Layers
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Combine flour sugar cocoa baking soda and salt in a bowl. Mix in eggs buttermilk oil and vanilla until a smooth batter forms. Divide between pans and bake for 28 to 30 minutes.
Step 2: Whip the Cream
Once the cake layers are completely cooled beat heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Keep refrigerated until ready to assemble.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thick layer of whipped cream over the top and spoon half the cherry pie filling over the cream. Carefully place the second cake layer on top.
Step 4: Decorate and Chill
Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Spoon the rest of the cherry filling over the top and garnish with chocolate shavings. Refrigerate for at least one hour before slicing.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- cherry pie filling → fresh pitted cherries tossed with sugar for a less sweet option
- buttermilk → regular milk with one tablespoon of white vinegar stirred in
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Assembling the cake before it is fully cooled which melts the whipped cream filling
- Overwhipping the cream which turns it grainy and butter like instead of light and fluffy
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 450 calories, 6g protein, 52g carbs, 24g fat, 2g fiber.
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