Classic German Black Forest Cake
Moist chocolate sponge layered with tart cherries, lightly sweetened whipped cream, and dark chocolate shavings.
Equipment
- Two 9-inch cake pans
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Saucepan
- Offset spatula
- Cake turntable or serving plate
Ingredients
Chocolate Sponge
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup neutral oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee or hot water
Cherry Filling and Cream
- 24 oz pitted dark cherries fresh or frozen
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream cold
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 oz dark chocolate shaved for garnish
Instructions
Bake the sponge:
- Heat the oven to 350 F (175 C). Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans.
- Whisk the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla and mix until smooth. Stir in the hot coffee; the batter will be thin.
- Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a skewer comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely.
Make the filling:
- Simmer the cherries and sugar in a saucepan for 5 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened. Cool completely.
- Whip the cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla until medium-stiff peaks form.
Assemble:
- Level the cakes if needed and slice each one in half to make four layers.
- Place one layer on a serving plate. Spread with cherry filling and whipped cream, then repeat with the remaining layers.
- Frost the outside with the remaining whipped cream and decorate with chocolate shavings and cherries.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before slicing.
Notes
- Keep the whipped cream cold while assembling for the cleanest layers.
- Use frozen cherries when fresh cherries are out of season; thaw and drain them first.
- For the traditional adult version, add a splash of kirsch to the cooled cherry filling.
Nutrition
Calories: 540kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 7gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 360mgFiber: 5gSugar: 43g