Black Forest Cake – A Symphony of Chocolate, Cherries & Silken Cream 🍒🍫
There’s nothing quite like a slice of Black Forest Cake (Gâteau Forêt Noir) to transport you to a world of decadent desserts. With its moist layers of rich chocolate cake, sweet cherry filling, and airy whipped cream frosting, this showstopping dessert feels both nostalgic and elegant. Whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, or a luxurious weekend treat, this cake always delivers a moment of pure indulgence.
Why I Love This Cake
This cake is romance in every bite. The bitter edge of the cocoa, the brightness of the cherries, and the cloud-like whipped cream come together in perfect harmony. What makes this version special is that it uses pantry-friendly ingredients (including cherry pie filling!) but still creates a bakery-level result. Plus, cutting the cakes into layers gives you that stunning, multi-tiered look—without a professional pastry degree.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
For the Cherry Filling:
- 2 cups cherry pie filling
For the Silken Cream Frosting:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
To Garnish:
- ½ cup chocolate chips or shavings
- Extra cherries (fresh or jarred)
Ingredient Notes
- Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened for a deep, rich chocolate base.
- Boiling Water: It helps bloom the cocoa and creates a tender crumb—don’t skip it!
- Pie Filling: Shortcut-friendly and delicious. If you prefer, you can use homemade cherry compote.
- Whipping Cream: Chill your bowl and beaters for best results when making the frosting.
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2️⃣ Make the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
Stir in the boiling water—batter will be thin (this is what makes it moist!).
3️⃣ Bake the Cakes
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
4️⃣ Layer with Cherries
Once the cakes are fully cooled, slice each horizontally to create four total layers.
Place one layer on your serving platter and spread with about ½ cup of cherry pie filling.
Repeat with the remaining layers, finishing with a cake layer on top.
5️⃣ Make the Cream Frosting
In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
6️⃣ Frost and Decorate
Frost the top and sides of the cake with whipped cream.
Sprinkle with chocolate chips or shavings and top with extra cherries for a dramatic finish.
Tips for Success
✔️ Chill your tools: Cold cream and beaters whip better.
✔️ Don’t overmix the batter once the hot water is added.
✔️ Use a serrated knife or cake leveler for clean, even layers.
✔️ Make ahead: Bake the cakes a day before and frost the next day for deeper flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve chilled for clean slices and optimal texture. Pair it with:
- A cup of espresso
- A glass of dry red wine or kirsch (traditional cherry brandy)
- Or a fruity mocktail like this rainbow sangria
It’s perfect for holidays, birthdays, or elegant dinners.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months. Frosted cake is best eaten fresh, but can be frozen in slices.
- Make Ahead: Bake and cool layers in advance, wrap tightly, and refrigerate overnight.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you love desserts that are rich, playful, and impressive, try these:
- These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs Are My Favorite Sweet Obsession
- This Grasshopper Pie Is My Favorite No-Bake Dessert with a Mint Chocolate Twist
- These Easter Cookies Everyone Will Be Talking About and Asking the Recipe For
- This No-Bake Oreo Cream Pie Is My Favorite Quick Dessert Hack
- These Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies Are My Favorite Way to Bake Up Instant Joy
Final Thoughts
This Black Forest Cake is a timeless classic that brings together bold chocolate, juicy cherries, and fluffy whipped cream in a truly magical way. It’s luxurious without being overly fussy, and guaranteed to wow at any gathering.
If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop a comment, share your photos, and follow along for more elegant dessert creations like this one.
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