Black Forest Cake

black forest cake

I’ve mentioned before that I am thankful for being able to do what I am doing now – be a mother and a baker and be able to write and share about it here. At this point I don’t know what else I want to do more than this. And that makes me so happy!

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Being said that, sometimes I still nag about the fact that I have to make the same cake three times in a week. Boring! I know. But it also means that my cakes are good. People love them. And I will go ahead and make them and be happy no matter what.

I am proud to say that this black forest cake is one of my best sellers. It’s relatively less sweet thanks to the less sugary whipped cream. And I highly recommend Ed. Smith Light and Fruity Cherry for the syrup and filling. The cherries really taste light and fruity, not the traditional maraschino cherries, which I refrain from using because they taste too sweet and cough-syrupy. Yuck!

Ingredients (8-inch 3-layer cake):
Chocolate Devil’s Food Layer Cake
3 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup boiling water
3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 cups packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Whipped Cream Frosting
3 cups heavy cream, chilled
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Others
1 can Ed. Smith cherries (light and fruity)
1 cup dark chocolate shavings

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease three 8-inch round cake pans, and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In another bowl, whisk the boiling water and cocoa powder until smooth.
Beat butter and sugar together on medium speed in a bowl of a standing mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in buttermilk and vanilla extract.
Reduce the speed to low and beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture, followed by half of the chocolate mixture. Repeat with another 1/3 of the flour mixture and the remaining chocolate mixture. Beat in the remaining flour mixture until just incorporated.
Divide the batter and pour into the prepared pans, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
Place the cakes (in the pans) on a wire rack to cool. Then invert the cakes onto a greased rack. Cool completely.
Strain the syrup from the cherries. Set aside.
Use a pastry brush to brush a light layer of syrup on top of each cake layer. Set aside.
To prepare whipped cream frosting, whisk all the ingredients on low speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Increase the mixer speed to medium high and continue to whisking until the mixture forms stiff peak, 2 to 3 minutes.
To assemble the cake, place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread with about 1/2 cup of whipped cream, then cover with about 15 pieces of cherries. Place another cake layer on top, followed by 1/2 cup whipped cream and cherries. Place the remaining cake layer on top and press lightly to adhere. Frost the entire cake with the whipped cream.
Gently press the chocolate shavings into the sides of the cake.
Using a large star tip to pipe a decorative border with the frosting on the top edge of the cake. Place cherries on top, and sprinkle some more chocolate.
Cover and refrigerate the cake before serving.

20 comments

  1. What kind of cherries can I buy that will be perfect to make my Black Forest Cake. I cannot get Ed Smith cherries at our grocery store. Dark cherrie, a pie filing cherry? Please a
    cherry filling I can pick up at
    Wal mart. Thank you ☺️

  2. Black Forest is one of my top 3 favorite cake flavors and this one looks heavenly! The recipe does not seem complicated the only problem for me is the buttermilk which is an unusual thing where I live. Can I simply remove it or use heavy cream instead? Thanks! :)

    1. Hi Gabi, you could substitute one cup of buttermilk with one cup of whole milk plus one tablespoon of lemon juice. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, and it will become an all natural buttermilk. Hope you enjoy the recipe. :)

  3. Wow! You did a gorgeous job on that cake! Great styling and photography. I LURVE black forest cake! Happy Bday to your husband.

  4. You know it’s strange that I really don’t like chocolate normally but there is something about Black Forest Cake that I love so much. I’ve never made it myself, but maybe it’s time! Thanks for inspiring me!

  5. I grew up in Germany, so I had my fair share of Black Forest Cake throughout the years! Your version looks delicious :o)

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