Black Forest Cake
German Black Forest cake — chocolate sponge layers with cherries and whipped cream, finished with chocolate shavings. The classic showstopper. Best made a day ahead.
Prep Time
16 min
Cook Time
23 min
Servings
6
Calories
397 cal
🛠 Interactive Recipe Tools — Use them right here on this page
Smart Servings Scaler
- Chocolate150 g
- Cherry1 ½
- Cream¾ cup
- Flour3 cups
- Sugar¾ cup
- Eggs3
- Butter½ cup
- Baking Powder1 ½ tsp
- Vanilla Extract1 ½ tsp
All quantities scaled automatically from 6 servings.
Ingredients
Makes 6 servings · Use the Servings Scaler above to adjust
- Chocolate150 g
- Cherry1.5
- Cream0.75 cup
- Flour3 cups
- Sugar0.75 cup
- Eggs3
- Butter0.5 cup
- Baking Powder1.5 tsp
- Vanilla Extract1.5 tsp
Instructions
- 1
Make 2 chocolate cake layers (boxed mix is fine for ease, or homemade). Bake in 9-inch pans, cool completely.
- 2
Make the cherry filling: combine 1 can (15 oz) of pitted dark cherries (drained, juice reserved), ½ cup of cherry juice, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons kirsch (cherry liqueur, optional) in a saucepan. Simmer until thickened. Cool.
- 3
Whip 3 cups of heavy cream with ½ cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla to stiff peaks.
- 4
Slice each cake layer in half horizontally to make 4 thin layers (or use 2 layers if you don't want to slice).
- 5
Assemble: bottom layer, brush with kirsch syrup (or cherry juice), spread with whipped cream, dot with cherries. Repeat layers. Top with the final cake layer.
- 6
Frost the entire cake with whipped cream. Decorate with chocolate shavings, additional cherries on top, and chocolate curls. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Serve chilled.
Watch how to make Black Forest Cake
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💡 Expert Tips
- 1.Kirsch liqueur is traditional. Optional but authentic.
- 2.Layered properly. Cherries + cream between layers.
- 3.Chocolate shavings on outside. Visual signature.
- 4.Chill before serving. Sets the layers.
🔬 Why It Works
Black Forest cake succeeds with the combination of chocolate sponge (foundation), cherries (sweet-tart filling), kirsch (boozy adult note), and whipped cream (lightness). The layered construction creates visual drama; chocolate shavings provide the signature appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Without kirsch?▾
Fresh vs canned cherries?▾
Make ahead?▾
Origin?▾
4.3
107 home cooks rated this
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
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