Homemade Black Forest Cake

This decadent homemade Black Forest cake is as easy as can be to make. This classic dessert is made up of two layers of moist chocolate cake surrounded by whipped cream and juicy black cherries.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Method Bake

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 30

Total Time 55

Servings servings

Calories 544

Author Lily Ernst

Ingredients

Cake

1 & 3/4 (228g) cups all-purpose flour
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (85g) unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 & 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup (250ml) whole milk
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup (125ml) vegetable oil
1 cup (250ml) hot water
1/3 cup cherry liqueur for brushing the cakes, optional

Cream topping and filling

8 oz (1 pkg/250g) of cream cheese
473 ml (1 carton) of whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 & 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 can of pitted black cherries drained well

Optional decorations

fresh or maraschino cherries
chocolate curls or shavings

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F and grease two 9″ round cake pans with non-stick baking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar and cocoa powder.
1 & 3/4 (228g) cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar, 3/4 cup (85g) unsweetened cocoa powder
Whisk in the baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2 tsp baking powder, 1 & 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, vanilla, and eggs.
1 cup (250ml) whole milk, 2 large eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 cup (125ml) vegetable oil
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
Slowly add in the hot water and stir until the batter is well combined.
1 cup (250ml) hot water
Divide the batter into the prepared baking pans and bake for 30-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely. Trim cake domes if needed. Brush with cherry liqueur if using.
1/3 cup cherry liqueur
Using an electric mixer, blend the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
8 oz (1 pkg/250g) of cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 & 1/2 tsp vanilla
Slowly add half the whipping cream and whip for a minute or so until it just starts to thicken. Add the rest of the whipping cream and continue to whip until stiff peaks form.
473 ml (1 carton) of whipping cream
Spread about one quarter of the whipped cream on one of the cakes. Spoon the cherries on top and spread another quarter of the whipped cream on top of the cherries. Layer the second cake on and top with the remaining whipped cream. Decorate as desired.
1 can of pitted black cherries

Notes

Chilling the assembled cake for 30 minutes will make it easier to slice and serve. Leftover cake can be stored in the fridge covered up for 2-3 days.

Nutrition