Description
A decadent and timeless dessert, the Classic German Black Forest Cake features layers of rich chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and tart cherries with a splash of cherry liqueur and a garnish of chocolate shavings.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
½ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups heavy cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup cherries, soaked in Kirschwasser (cherry liqueur)
¼ cup Kirschwasser (optional but traditional)
½ cup chocolate shavings
Additional cherries for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
- In another bowl, beat sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Add vegetable oil and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk into the egg mixture, stirring just until combined.
- Divide batter evenly between the pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Level cake layers if necessary. Place one layer on a cake stand, drizzle with half the Kirschwasser, spread whipped cream, and top with soaked cherries.
- Place second cake layer on top, drizzle with remaining Kirschwasser, and frost entire cake with remaining whipped cream.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and extra cherries. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
For a non-alcoholic version, replace Kirschwasser with cherry juice or syrup.
Use canned or frozen cherries if fresh ones are unavailable.
Chill mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream for best results.
The cake can be made a day in advance for convenience.
If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with milk and lemon juice or vinegar.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
