Black Forest Chocolate Cake

Black Forest Chocolate Cake

 

🍒🍫 Black Forest Chocolate Cake — The Showstopper You Didn’t Know You Needed

“Because sometimes dessert isn’t just the finale — it’s the reason for the party.”

 

 

This Black Forest Chocolate Cake is a triple threat: rich, moist chocolate layers, fluffy clouds of whipped cream, and sweet-tart cherries that make every bite a little celebration. It’s decadent without being fussy, impressive without requiring a pastry degree, and the kind of cake that makes people’s eyes go wide when you set it on the table.

Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or “just because,” this cake is a love letter to chocolate lovers everywhere.

My mother in law loves this cake and I make her this or cupcakes. It’s the perfect combination of chocolate, cool whip and fruit filling. You’ll love this cake.

The cake is a more of a dark chocolate cake so the whipped cream is a nice compliment for the dark chocolate cake and cherries!

 

Black Forest Chocolate Cake

 

Ingredients

Cake

• 2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 large egg
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

Frosting and Filling

• 4 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoon unflavored gelatin  (optional)
• 2 cup canned cherry pie filling
• 4 ounces good-quality dark chocolate, shaved

Directions

1. Prep & Bake
   • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
   • In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   • Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
   • Slowly beat in 1 cup boiling water — batter will be thin.
   • Divide evenly between pans and bake 35–45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
   • Cool completely. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for easier handling.
2. Whip the Cream
   • In a chilled mixing bowl, beat heavy cream on high until soft peaks form (about 3 minutes).
   • Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and gelatin (if using). Beat until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Assemble
   • Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin “scratch frost” layer of whipped cream.
   • Pipe a ring of whipped cream around the edge and spoon cherry pie filling into the center.
   • Top with the second cake layer. Scratch frost the whole cake and refrigerate briefly.
4. Decorate
   • Finish with swirls of whipped cream, extra cherry filling, and chocolate shavings.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Slice — 12 Servings)

• Calories: ~540
• Protein: 6g
• Carbs: 62g
• Fat: 31g
• Sugar: 45g

📊 Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

\*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Black Forest Chocolate Cake

 

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for the Perfect Black Forest Cake

• Chill everything — cold bowls and beaters make whipped cream fluffier.
• Don’t skip the boiling water — it blooms the cocoa for a richer chocolate flavor.
• Level your cakes — a flat surface makes stacking easier and prettier.
• Use good chocolate — the shavings are the crown jewel.
• Stabilize whipped cream — gelatin helps it hold up for hours without weeping.

🎨 Recipe Variations

• Boozy Classic — Brush cake layers with cherry liqueur for a grown-up twist.
• Kid-Friendly — Skip the liqueur and use extra cherry syrup.
• White Forest — Swap chocolate cake for vanilla sponge and use white chocolate shavings.
• Berry Swap — Try raspberries or strawberries instead of cherries.
• Mini Cakes — Bake in cupcake tins for adorable individual servings.

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids sprinkle the chocolate shavings — it’s messy fun.
• Use maraschino cherries for a sweeter, candy-like topping.
• Make “cake cups” — layer cake cubes, whipped cream, and cherries in clear cups.
• Keep assembly simple — let them frost with a spatula and go wild with toppings.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Buy cocoa in bulk — it’s cheaper and lasts ages in a sealed container.
• Store-brand cream — whips just as well as name brands.
• Canned cherries — available year-round and save prep time.
• Block chocolate — shave it yourself for better texture and flavor.
• Flour & sugar sales — stock up during holiday baking season.

 

Black Forest Chocolate Cake

Did you try our Black Forest Chocolate Cake recipe? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!

 

 

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