🍒 Ultimate Black Forest Cake

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🍒 Ultimate Black Forest Cake

A rich, decadent German classic made with layers of moist chocolate sponge, luscious whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate shavings.

🧾 Ingredients

🍫 For the Chocolate Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot coffee (enhances chocolate flavor)

🍒 For the Cherry Filling

  • 2 cups dark sweet cherries (fresh or jarred, pitted)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ cup cherry syrup or reserved juice

Optional: ¼–½ cup Kirsch (traditional cherry liqueur)

🍦 For the Whipped Cream Frosting

  • 3 cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
  • ⅓ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

🍫 For Garnish

  • Dark chocolate shavings
  • Whole cherries

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Bake the Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans.
  2. Whisk dry ingredients together.
  3. Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
  4. Stir in hot coffee (batter will be thin).
  5. Divide between pans and bake 30–35 minutes.
  6. Cool completely, then slice each cake layer in half (4 layers total).

2️⃣ Prepare the Cherry Filling

  1. In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and syrup.
  2. Dissolve cornstarch in 2 tbsp water, add to mixture.
  3. Cook until thickened.
  4. Stir in Kirsch if using.
  5. Cool completely.

3️⃣ Make Whipped Cream

  1. Beat cold cream until soft peaks form.
  2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
  3. Beat to stiff peaks (don’t overwhip).

4️⃣ Assemble the Cake

  1. Place first layer on serving plate.
  2. Brush with cherry syrup or Kirsch.
  3. Spread cherry filling, then whipped cream.
  4. Repeat layers.
  5. Frost entire cake with whipped cream.
  6. Decorate with chocolate shavings and cherries.

❄️ Chill & Serve

  • Refrigerate at least 2–4 hours before serving.
  • Slice with a warm knife for clean cuts.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Authentic German Black Forest Cake is inspired by the Black Forest region of Germany and traditionally uses Kirsch.
  • Use good-quality dark chocolate for elegant curls.
  • Best enjoyed within 24–48 hours.

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