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Decadent Black Forest Cake

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A rich and moist chocolate cake layered with homemade cherry filling and whipped cream, perfect for celebrations and easy homemade desserts.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour – 1 ¾ cups (220g)
  • Granulated sugar – 1 ½ cups (300g)
  • Cocoa powder, unsweetened – ¾ cup (75g), preferably Dutch-processed
  • Baking powder – 1 ½ tsp
  • Baking soda – 1 ½ tsp
  • Salt – 1 tsp
  • Large eggs – 2, room temperature
  • Buttermilk – 1 cup (240ml) or milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice as substitute
  • Vegetable oil – ½ cup (120ml)
  • Vanilla extract – 2 tsp
  • Hot water – 1 cup (240ml)
  • Fresh cherries – 2 cups (about 300g), pitted and halved (or frozen/thawed)
  • Granulated sugar – ¼ cup (50g)
  • Kirsch (cherry brandy) – 2 tbsp (optional)
  • Cornstarch – 1 tbsp
  • Water – ¼ cup (60ml)
  • Heavy cream – 2 cups (480ml), chilled
  • Powdered sugar – ¼ cup (30g), sifted
  • Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
  • Chocolate shavings or curls – about ½ cup (optional)
  • Whole cherries with stems – for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans and line with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
  3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring gently until smooth but light.
  5. Slowly pour in hot water while mixing; batter will be thin.
  6. Divide batter evenly into prepared pans, tap to release air bubbles, and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks to cool completely (at least 1 hour).
  8. For cherry filling, combine cherries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat until juices release.
  9. Mix cornstarch with cold water, stir into cherry mixture, add Kirsch if using, cook until thickened and glossy, then cool completely.
  10. Chill mixing bowl and beaters. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
  11. Optionally slice each cake horizontally for thinner layers. Place one cake layer on a plate, spread whipped cream, then cherry filling. Repeat with next layer.
  12. Cover top and sides with whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings and whole cherries.
  13. Chill assembled cake for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for smoother taste. Keep whipped cream cold to maintain fluffiness. If cherry filling is too runny, cook longer or add more cornstarch. Fresh cherries are best in season; frozen or jarred cherries work well too. Can substitute Kirsch with cherry juice or almond extract.

Nutrition

Keywords: Black Forest Cake, chocolate cake, cherry filling, whipped cream, homemade dessert, easy cake recipe, celebration cake

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/decadent-black-forest-cake-recipe-perfect-for-easy-homemade-desserts/