The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
This homemade Black Forest Cherry Cake is a bakery-quality dessert that folks rave about! It’s a cake you can serve for Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or anytime!
This Black Forest Cake recipe serves 10 and costs about $18.59 to make. That’s just $1.86 per serving!
For a lighter variation of this cake, try my White Forest Cake.
Black Forest Cherry Cake
Have you seen the meme that says, “How do you like your eggs?” And then it says, “in a cake!” Ummm, I can 100% relate! In a cake is how eggs are done best! End of story.
One of the best ways I can think of for eggs is to use them in this Black Forest Cake recipe. This cake is indeed a labor of love, but I promise that it is well worth it! I guarantee your guests will LOVE it!
I love the flavor combination of chocolate and sweet and tart cherries in this Black Forest Cake recipe. The whipped cream frosting is my favorite because it’s creamy but not too sweet. The cake is especially chocolatey, just the way it should be!
Do not let this cake intimidate you, because anyone can make it! Here is the secret: the chocolate shavings on the top and sides help make this cake very forgiving as far as decorating cakes goes. Meaning, you do not need to be a professional cake decorator to achieve a beautiful looking cake!
I love the flavor combination of chocolate and sweet and tart cherries in this Black Forest Cake recipe. The whipped cream frosting is my favorite because it’s creamy but not too sweet. The cake is especially chocolatey, just the way it should be!
What is the difference between chocolate cake and black forest cake?
Black Forest Cake uses chocolate cake as the base, and then there are layers of whipped cream and cherries. The cake is then topped with chocolate shavings and cherries. Basically, it’s an extreme version of a chocolate cake with cherries and whipped cream.
Why is it called Black Forest cake?
Black Forest Cake is named after the specialty liqueur from Germany, which was distilled from tart cherries. That’s a little boring, though. So I did a little more research. I found that the name was inspired by the women’s traditional costume of the Black Forest region in Germany. They wore a hat with big, red pom-poms to the top. How fun is that?!
Does Black Forest cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes, it does need to be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. If it is stored properly, it will be safe to eat for 3-4 days.
How to make Black Forest Cherry Cake:
STEP ONE: First, make the Devil’s Food Cake. Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake for 15-20 minutes.
STEP TWO: Next, prep the cherries and make the syrup. Then, poke the top of the cake layers with the back of a wooden spoon and brush with the remaining syrup.
STEP THREE: Now, make the whipped cream frosting. Do this before assembling the cake.
STEP FOUR: Lastly, assemble the cake. Refrigerate for at least two hours. Just before serving, decorate the top and sides of the cake.
Cook’s Tools:
- (3) 9-inch round cake pans
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Handheld mixer
- Rubber scraper
- Wire racks
- Medium saucepan
- Small saucepan
- Paring knife
How much will this Black Forest Cherry Cake recipe cost to make?
RECIPE COST: $18.59
PER SERVING COST: $1.86
NOTE: The recipe prices are used calculating name-brand products from grocery store websites. The recipe’s actual cost will vary depending on what your pantry is already stocked with and current grocery prices.
- 1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder $0.80
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour $0.29
- 1 tsp baking soda $0.01
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder $0.07
- 1/4 teaspoon salt $0.01
- 1 1/4 cups boiling water $ 0.00
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate $1.97
- 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter $1.00
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar $0.72
- 3 large eggs $0.30
- 1/2 cup sour cream $0.72
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate $2.96
- 14.5 ounce can red tart cherries in water $3.42
- 21 ounce can cherry pie filling $2.74
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar $0.18
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch $0.03
- 3 cups heavy cream $2.91
- 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract $0.46
Looking for more show-stopper desserts?
Black Forest Cake
Ingredients
DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE:
- ½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder plus extra for dusting
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups boiling water
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate chopped
- 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
CHERRIES AND SYRUP:
- 14.5 ounce can red tart cherries in water drained with the liquid reserved
- 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
- ½ cup granulated sugar
WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 cups heavy cream chilled
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
FOR FINISHING:
- 6 ounces chunk semisweet chocolate
Instructions
MAKE DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE:
- Adjust the oven racks to the upper-middle and lower-middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 3 9-inch round cake pan, then dust with cocoa powder and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the boiling water, chocolate, and 1/2 cup of the cocoa powder together until smooth.
- In another large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3-6 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until combined, about 30 seconds. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla until incorporated.
- Reduce the speed to low and beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture, followed by 1/2 of the chocolate mixture. Repeat with half of the remaining flour mixture and the remaining chocolate mixture. Beat in the remaining flour mixture until just incorporated.
- Give the batter the final stir with a rubber scraper to make sure it is thoroughly combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared pans, smooth the tops, and gently tap the pans on the counter to settle the batter. Bake the cakes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 15-20 minutes, rotating and switching the pans halfway through baking.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Runs a small knife around the edge of the cakes, and then flip them out onto the wire racks. Peel off the parchment paper, and flip the cakes over again. Cool the cakes completely, about 2 hours.
PREP CHERRIES AND MAKE SYRUP:
- Reserve 8 of the prettiest cherries for your garnish in a small bowl. Slice the remaining cherries in half and place in a medium bowl.
- Simmer the reserved cherry water and sugar together in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the mixture is thickened, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Toss 1 tablespoon of the syrup with the cherries reserved for garnish. Toss 3 tablespoons more syrup with the halved cherries.
- Poke the top of the cake layers thoroughly with the back of a wooden spoon and brush with the remaining syrup.
MAKE THE WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING:
- Whisk the sugar and the cornstarch together in a small saucepan and slowly whisk in 1/2 cup of the cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens, 2-3 minutes. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whip the remaining 2 1/2 cups cream and the vanilla together with an electric mixer on low speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Increase the mixer speed to medium and continue to whip the mixture until it begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Slowly add the cooled cornstarch mixture and continue to whip until the mixture forms soft peaks, 1-3 minutes.
ASSEMBLE CAKE:
- Line the edges of a cake platter with strips of parchment paper to keep the platter clean while you assemble the cake. Place one of the cake layers on the platter. Spread 1/2 cup of the whipped cream over the top, right to the edge of the cake.
- Then, cover with half of the sliced cherries. Repeat with another cake layer, 1/2 cup more whipped cream, and the remaining sliced cherries.
- Place the remaining cake layer on top and press lightly to adhere. Frost the cake with the remaining whipped cream.
- Refrigerate the cake until it absorbs the soaking syrup, at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature, 30-60 minutes.
- Make the chocolate shavings by placing a chunk of chocolate on a piece of parchment paper or wax paper. Use a paring knife to scrape the chocolate to form chocolate shavings.
- Gently press the chocolate shavings into the sides of the cake.
- Decorate the top of the cake with whipped cream, the reserved cherries, and chocolate shavings. Finally, slice and serve.
Notes
- Because of the whipped cream in this cake, I do not recommend freezing it. It will be a soupy mess if you do.
- This cake will cut into 10 hefty slices. You can easily get more slices out of the cake for smaller portions.
Lauren says
holy cow! that is soooo gorgeous! Yay to Curtis both for passing the bar, and for marrying someone who could make him such a cake.
Jillian Wade says
Thanks, Lauren!
Lisa says
Congratulations to him. I know for a fact how difficult the bar exam can be and what a relief it is to find out you passed. This cake is one of my favorites too. Sounds like a delicious way to celebrate.
Jillian Wade says
Thanks, Lisa. =)
Alli says
This cake looks amazing! I love your step by step photos, those are so helpful when making this at home.
Lauren Vavala | Delicious Little Bites says
This Black Forest Cake has been craving a slice right now! I just love the cherry and chocolate combination – so good!
Bless my food by payal says
Black forest is my favourite cake and you have made it to utmost perfection.
Ashley says
My dad LOVED this recipe for his birthday celebration! Thanks for a great recipe!
Jillian says
Awesome, so glad he loved the cake!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
I haven’t had a black forest cake for years! This one looks amazing with all those cherries – can’t wait to make this for the family.
Beth says
This looks so delicious and scrumptious! I can’t wait to make this recipe