Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Cream (Print Version)

Decadent chocolate layers with luscious cherries and airy whipped cream

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chocolate Cake

01 - 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup (60 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk
09 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
10 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 cup boiling water

→ Cherry Filling

12 - 2 cups (350 g) pitted dark sweet cherries, fresh or jarred and drained
13 - 1/2 cup cherry juice or syrup
14 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
15 - 2 tablespoons kirsch (cherry brandy), optional
16 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water

→ Whipped Cream

17 - 2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
18 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
19 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Assembly & Decoration

20 - 3 oz (85 g) dark chocolate for shavings
21 - Extra fresh or maraschino cherries for garnish

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
03 - Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla to dry ingredients. Beat until smooth. Gradually add boiling water and mix until combined.
04 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
05 - Combine cherries, cherry juice, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Stir in cornstarch mixture and cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in kirsch if using, and cool completely.
06 - Beat cold cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla on high speed until stiff peaks form. Keep chilled.
07 - Slice each cake layer in half horizontally to create four layers total.
08 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Brush with cherry syrup. Spread with a layer of cherry filling, then a layer of whipped cream.
09 - Repeat with remaining layers, finishing with whipped cream on top and sides.
10 - Decorate with chocolate shavings and extra cherries. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Authentic German Classic: Experience a true taste of Germany with this iconic dessert.
  • Rich Chocolate Layers: The cake is deeply chocolatey, moist, and perfectly tender.
  • Luscious Cherry Filling: A vibrant cherry filling, enhanced with a hint of kirsch, provides a perfect tart contrast.
  • Airy Whipped Cream: Light, fluffy whipped cream envelops the cake for a delicate, creamy finish.
02 -
  • Perfect Shavings: Use a vegetable peeler on a cold bar of dark chocolate for delicate, beautiful shavings.
  • Stable Whipped Cream: Ensure your heavy cream, mixing bowl, and beaters are very cold for the fluffiest, most stable whipped cream.
  • Cool Completely: Allow the cake layers and cherry filling to cool completely before assembly to prevent the whipped cream from melting.
  • Even Layers: A long serrated knife is the best tool for slicing the cake layers horizontally without crumbling them.
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