Close-up of a Black Forest cherry cake topped with whipped cream, chocolate ganache, and fresh cherries

Black Forest Cake

by

Decadent, moist, and perfectly classic!

There’s nothing quite like a slice of Black Forest Cake rich chocolate layers, fluffy whipped cream, and juicy cherries that make every bite pure indulgence. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or when you just want to impress your guests with something stunning (and secretly easy!). This timeless dessert combines deep chocolate flavor with sweet-tart cherry filling for a perfectly balanced bite. Best of all? You can make it with simple pantry ingredients and have it ready to wow in just over an hour. 🍫✨

Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Assembly Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Servings: 10–12 slices

Ingredients List

For the Chocolate Cake:

  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water (for moisture)

For the Cherry Filling:

  • 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling or 2 cups pitted cherries + ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (if using fresh cherries)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

For the Whipped Cream Frosting:

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Garnish:

  • Chocolate shavings or curls
  • Whole cherries (fresh or maraschino)

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

  • Two 8-inch round cake pans
  • Electric mixer or hand whisk
  • Mixing bowls
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Cooling rack
  • Serrated knife (for leveling layers)
  • Offset spatula (for frosting)

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch pans with parchment paper.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
  3. Add wet ingredients: Mix in eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth (about 2 minutes).
  4. Add boiling water: Stir in slowly the batter will be thin (that’s how it stays moist!).
  5. Bake: Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool completely on racks before assembling.
  7. Prepare cherry filling: If using fresh cherries, cook them with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch until thickened (5–7 minutes). Let cool. 🍒
  8. Whip the cream: Beat cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
  9. Assemble the cake: Place one layer on a plate, spread cherry filling, then whipped cream. Add the second layer and repeat.
  10. Decorate: Cover the entire cake with whipped cream, top with cherries and chocolate curls. 🍫🎂

Pro Tips

  • Storage: Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days; serve slightly chilled.
  • Make Ahead: Bake cake layers a day ahead; wrap tightly and chill.
  • No buttermilk? Use milk + vinegar or lemon juice for the same effect.
  • Serving Idea: Dust with cocoa or drizzle with chocolate syrup before serving for extra drama.

Nutrition Table

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
1 slice4206g58g20g3g41g