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A slice of homemade Black Forest cake with chocolate layers, whipped cream, cherry filling, dark chocolate shavings, and fresh cherries on top.

Black Forest cake

This impressive yet approachable Black Forest Cake features rich chocolate layers, tart cherries, fluffy whipped cream, and chocolate shavings. Perfect for birthdays and special occasions, it can be made ahead for stress-free entertaining.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: German
Keyword: 3 Ingredient black forest cake, 4-ingredient black forest cake, Best Black Forest cake recipe, Black Forest cake, Black Forest cake near me, Black Forest cake recipe easy, Healthy Black Forest cake, Sourdough Black Forest cake, Traditional Black Forest cake recipe
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 410kcal
Cost: $17

Equipment

  • 2 9-inch cake pans (Greased and lined)
  • 1 Electric mixer (Hand or stand mixer)
  • 2–3 Large mixing bowls (For batter, cream, and cherries)
  • 1 Offset spatula (For smooth frosting)
  • 1 Serrated knife (For slicing cake layers evenly)
  • 1 Vegetable peeler (For chocolate shavings)

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:

  • 1 ¾ cups All-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup Cocoa powder - Unsweetened
  • 2 cups Sugar - Granulated
  • 2 Eggs - Large
  • ½ cup Butter - Melted or softened
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Baking powder
  • 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1 cup Hot coffee - Or strong tea/hot water

For the Filling:

  • 2 cups Heavy whipping cream - Cold
  • ½ cup Powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1 jar Cherries in syrup - Drained, syrup reserved
  • 2–3 tablespoon Kirsch or brandy - Optional; sub with cherry juice

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup Whipped cream - Fresh or store-bought
  • 1 bar Dark chocolate - For shavings
  • Extra cherries - For garnish
  • Powdered sugar - For dusting (optional)

Instructions

  • Mix dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder). Beat eggs, butter, and vanilla, then combine wet and dry. Stir in hot coffee to make batter.
    Mixing bowl with cocoa powder, flour, and sugar cubes, with a whisk on top, ready to make chocolate cake on a marble counter in natural light
  • Divide batter into greased pans and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes. Let cool completely.
  • Drain cherries, reserve syrup. Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla. Make chocolate shavings.
    Whole cherries simmering in syrup inside a stainless steel saucepan on a modern black induction cooktop, placed on a white marble counter—realistic and homemade preparation for Black Forest cake filling.
  • Slice cake layers in half. Poke holes and brush with syrup or kirsch. Layer cake with cream and cherries.
    Chocolate cake layer topped with whipped cream and glossy cherries in syrup, on a white plate with a red-checkered towel and extra cherries nearby.
  • Cover cake with whipped cream, add chocolate shavings and cherries on top. Chill at least 2 hours.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes.Feel free to add more of your favorite toppings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 120mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2.5mg