Black Forest Cake

This Black Forest Cake is a delicious moist cake, filled with a homemade whipped cream, delicious fresh cherry jam, and topped with a fudgy chocolate ganache. This cake is fairly simple to make, yet looks elegant. I guarantee it won’t last long, so make sure you grab a slice before it’s gone!

Ever since I made this Black Forest Cake recipe about 2 months ago, I’ve been super excited to share it with you! To be honest, I didn’t think I would like it. But I’ve been wanting to make a Black Forest Cake for months. They just look so pretty with the fudgey chocolate ganache, white whipped cream and fresh cherry filling. I was pleasantly surprised when I tried the cake. It’s seriously GOOD. The fresh cherry filling combined with the moist chocolate cake and whipped cream is truly the perfect match. Now I’m craving a slice of this cake :).

This cake comes together VERY easily. The hardest part is just the fact that there are a few components involved in the black forest cake – the cake itself, the cherry filling, the chocolate ganache and the whipped cream frosting. Okay, okay I know it sounds like a lot, but I promise I’ve made each of these components as easy as possible. It’s one hundred percent worth the effort. This is one of my favorite cakes!

The details

The components

the cake

There’s nothing that beats a soft, fluffy, moist chocolate cake. That is THIS cake. The secret to adding so much moisture to this cake is the sour cream. Sour cream helps to tenderize the crumb and maintain moisture. The cake has the perfect amount of chocolate flavor, which comes from the cocoa powder as well as the addition of hot coffee (or hot water). The hot liquid blooms the cocoa powder, which enhances the chocolate flavor. This chocolate cake is good even on it’s own!

the cherry filling

I made this cake during the summer when fresh cherries were abundant. There’s nothing that beats grabbing a freshly ripened cherry off of a tree branch. My kids LOVE eating fresh cherries! The cherry filling gets jammy and delicious when cooked on the stove top. It pairs really well with the chocolate cake.

whipped cream frosting

I love the whipped cream frosting on a black forest cake. The cake itself is rich with the chocolate cake and sweet cherry filling. The light, creamy whipped cream frosting adds a subtle sweetness without being too overpowering with the other flavors in the black forest cake.

chocolate ganache

Who doesn’t love chocolate ganache? Not only does the chocolate ganache add a beautiful appearance to the black forest cake, but it also adds an extra hint of sweet chocolate flavor. It’s the perfect finishing touch!

Ingredients

• Chocolate Cake
  • hot coffee or hot water
  • cocoa powder
  • granulated sugar
  • vegetable oil
  • eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • sour cream
  • milk
  • salt
  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
• Cherry Filling
  • fresh cherries
  • granulated sugar
  • cornstarch
  • Juice of lemon
  • water
• Chocolate Ganache
  • heavy cream
  • semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Whipped Cream Frosting
  • heavy cream
  • confectioners sugar
  • vanilla extract

Here’s how to make the Black Forest Cake

Make the Black Forest Cake

This cake can be made in one bowl without any fancy mixers. All you need is a whisk to stir the ingredients together!

preheat oven

First things first, preheat your oven. That way when the cake is completely mixed and in the pans you are ready to place it in the oven.

line the baking pans

Secondly, line your baking pans with a circle of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan. This is probably the best tip I can give you when baking a cake. It makes it so easy to remove the cake after baking, because the cake doesn’t stick on the bottom of the pan. I like to spray the entire cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. This helps the parchment paper circle stick to the bottom of the pan. You’ll also want to make sure you spray the sides of the cake pan.

mix the cake batter

Okay, now! It is time to mix the cake batter. Add cocoa powder and the hot coffee (or water) to a large bowl. Whisk to combine. This process blooms the cocoa powder, activating the flavor components within the cocoa powder. Overall, it enhances the chocolate flavor in the cake. You can use hot coffee or hot water for this. You just need a hot liquid. I’ll share more on that below.

After blooming the cocoa powder, add the remaining “wet” ingredients, which includes the sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, sour cream and milk. Whisk to combine. Next add in the remaining ingredients or “dry” ingredients. This includes the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk just until combined. You don’t want to overmix the cake batter as it can lead to a tougher cake.

bake the cake

Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

make the cherry filling

I like to make the cherry filling while the cake bakes, as the cherry filling must be completely cool before adding to the cake. The cherry filling is quick and easy to make. Add all ingredients for the filling to a large skillet, then cook over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Allow to fully cool.

make the chocolate ganache

When ready to assemble make the chocolate ganache. You can either make this in the microwave or on your stovetop.

If using the stovetop, you will need to set-up a double boiler. Fill a small or medium saucepan about 1/4 way full with water, then set a bowl on top of the pan. Add the ingredients for the chocolate ganache and stir until melted.

If using the microwave, microwave in 30 second increments until the mixture is melted. Make sure you stir in between each microwave session.

make the whipped cream frosting

Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer beat all ingredients for the frosting on medium-high until medium peaks form. A medium peak is when you lift the mixing attachment up and out of the frosting, the tip of the peak will curl slightly.

assemble the black forest cake

Place a chocolate cake layer on a plate or cake board. Spread whipped cream over cake layer, then pipe whipped cream around the border of the cake. Add ½ of the cherry filling into the center. Place the next cake layer on top and repeat the whipped cream and cherry filling. Place the last cake layer on top. Spread whipped cream over top of cake. Pour the chocolate ganache over top of the cake. Place the cake in the refrigerator to allow the chocolate ganache to firm up. Pipe a dollop of whipped cream around the border of the cake, then place a cherry on top of each dollop of whipped cream

Let me know what you thought!

If you make this Black Forest Cake, let me know what you thought in the ratings and comments below. I absolutely love reading all of your comments! Also, make sure to snap a picture of your black forest cake and tag me @simplebakingwithpep on instagram. It truly makes my day to see all of your wonderful creations.

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