Black Forest Cake Recipe – Classic Chocolate Cherry Layer Cake
This Black Forest cake is a timeless dessert made with rich chocolate sponge, sweet cherry filling, and fluffy whipped cream frosting. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or special occasions, this classic German cake is both elegant and indulgent.
Chocolate Cake Ingredients
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups (500g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups (300ml) vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) hot coffee or hot water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
How to Make Chocolate Cake Layers
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
Step 4: Combine Batter
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
Slowly stir in hot coffee or water—the batter will be thin.
Step 5: Bake
Divide batter evenly into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool
Allow cakes to cool completely before assembling.
Cherry Filling
- 3 cups (450g) pitted cherries
- 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup (60ml) water
- 1/4 cup (60ml) cherry syrup or juice
Instructions:
Cook cherries, sugar, water, and cherry juice over medium heat.
Mix cornstarch with a little water, then add to the mixture.
Cook until thick and glossy. Let it cool completely.
Whipped Cream Frosting
- 4 cups (960ml) cold whipping cream
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
Whip cream until soft peaks form.
Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then whip to stiff peaks.
Keep chilled until ready to use.
Chocolate Shavings (Optional)
- 200g dark chocolate
Use a grater or vegetable peeler to create chocolate shavings.
How to Assemble Black Forest Cake
- Place the first cake layer on a cake board.
- Brush lightly with cherry syrup (optional but recommended).
- Spread whipped cream, then add a layer of cherry filling.
- Place the second layer and repeat.
- Add the final layer and frost the entire cake with whipped cream.
- Decorate with chocolate shavings and cherries on top.
Tips for the Best Black Forest Cake
- Use hot coffee to enhance the chocolate flavor
- Chill the cake before slicing for clean layers
- Keep whipped cream cold for better stability
