Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe

If you’re in the mood to celebrate or just want to treat yourself and loved ones, nothing compares to a homemade Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe. This classic German dessert is a harmonious symphony of moist chocolate cake, airy whipped cream, juicy cherries, and whimsical chocolate shavings. Every bite offers a balance of rich cocoa, sweet-and-tart fruitiness, and a melt-in-your-mouth creamy finish that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Whether for birthdays, holidays, or just because, mastering this Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe is a joyful journey for any baker.

Ingredients You’ll Need

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe lies within a handful of straightforward but thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a starring role, from building the soft chocolate sponge to providing the dreamy whipped cream and luscious cherry filling. Let’s make sure you have everything for the best results!

• All-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy, tender base for the chocolate cake layers.
• Cocoa powder: Adds deep, intense chocolate flavor—use the best you can find for a dreamy result.
• Baking powder & baking soda: Work together to lift the cake, ensuring each bite is light and fluffy.
• Salt: Just a pinch brings out the chocolate’s richness and balances the sweetness.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps achieve a soft, moist crumb.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake delightfully moist for days, even if made ahead.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add that essential tenderness.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances both the cake and the cream with a cozy warmth.
• Buttermilk: The secret to a moist and slightly tangy cake, balancing the richness.
• Hot coffee (or hot water): Deepens the chocolate flavor—don’t worry, you won’t taste the coffee itself!
• Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to cloud-like peaks for the filling and topping—make sure it’s really cold!
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream without making it gritty.
• Pitted cherries (fresh or canned): The iconic fruit, giving the cake its juicy, sweet, and tart personality.
• Cherry syrup or juice: Adds depth and moisture to the cherry layer—use syrup from the cherry jar when possible.
• Cornstarch (optional): Thickens the cherry filling if you want it less runny.
• Dark chocolate shavings: Adds a beautiful, classic garnish and extra chocolate flavor.
• Whole cherries: For an irresistible, show-stopping decoration.
• Chocolate syrup: Perfect for a finishing drizzle that makes it look irresistible.

How to Make Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe

Step 1: Bake the Chocolate Cake Layers

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and prepare two 8-inch round cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla until it’s velvety smooth. Blend in the buttermilk, then gently fold in the sifted dry ingredients. Finally, stir in the hot coffee or water to create a silky, pourable batter. Divide it evenly between the pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Let the cakes cool completely before moving on—this prevents melty whipped cream disasters!

Step 2: Prepare the Cherry Filling

In a small saucepan, gently heat the pitted cherries along with their syrup or juice. If you prefer a thicker filling (especially for stacking), mix the cornstarch with a bit of water and stir it in, cooking until the mixture just thickens. This not only amplifies the cherry flavor but ensures every slice gets a perfect cherry bite. Let the filling cool thoroughly before layering it into your cake.

Step 3: Whip the Cream

For gravity-defying cream, chill your mixing bowl and whisks in advance. Pour in the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form—meaning when you lift the whisk, the cream stands tall without collapsing. This cloud-like cream is both your filling and your final cake covering.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

Place the first chocolate cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Slather on a generous layer of whipped cream, then spoon over the cooled cherry filling, spreading it evenly. Gently lay the second cake layer on top. Frost the entire exterior of the cake with more whipped cream, smoothing it into those iconic billowy swirls. Finally, go wild with your garnishes: pipe cream swirls on top, perch whole cherries like jewels, drizzle with velvety chocolate syrup, and shower with chocolate shavings. For best results, refrigerate the whole Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe for 1–2 hours before slicing—the flavors meld, and slicing is a thousand times easier!

How to Serve Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe

Garnishes

The finishing touches are anything but optional for a Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe! Classic whole cherries, a flutter of dark chocolate shavings, and a delicate drizzle of chocolate syrup transform each serving into an irresistible treat. For a festive flourish, consider a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect, or even additional whipped cream rosettes if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

This cake is a celebration on its own, but it’s also wonderful with simple sides like strong coffee, espresso, or black tea. These drinks help cleanse the palate and balance the richness of the cake. If you’re serving a full meal, a light fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes a lovely, cooling accompaniment.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to wow your guests? Turn the Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe into individual trifles by layering cubes of cake, cherries, and cream in clear glasses. For a formal occasion, serve each slice with an artful smear of cherry sauce and a chocolate curl. Or, go rustic by bringing the whole cake to the table and letting everyone dig in—family-style always feels special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe covered in the refrigerator; it stays fresh and delicious for up to three days. Because of the whipped cream and cherry filling, store it in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent it from absorbing fridge odors.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy this cake beyond a few days, you can freeze the assembled (but undecorated) cake layers and cherry filling separately. Wrap each component tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then whip up fresh cream and decorate before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

No actual “reheating” is needed for the Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe! Instead, let it sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before serving to soften the cake and make the flavors pop. Always keep it cool if not serving immediately, as the whipped cream is delicate.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned?

Absolutely! If cherries are in season, fresh cherries make the flavor even brighter and juicier. Just pit them and simmer with a bit of sugar and water to create your own syrup for the filling.

What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?

No worries—simply add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a measuring cup, then fill to the ½ cup mark with milk. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes. This makes a perfect homemade buttermilk substitute for the Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe.

Is it essential to add coffee to the cake batter?

While not strictly necessary, hot coffee deepens and intensifies the chocolate flavor without adding a noticeable coffee taste. If you prefer, hot water works just fine too—your cake will still be delicious.

Can I assemble the cake a day in advance?

Definitely! In fact, the flavors of a Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe often improve after a night in the fridge. Just save any final garnishes (like fresh cherries or chocolate shavings) for just before serving to keep them looking their best.

How do I make my whipped cream extra stable?

To help your cream hold its shape, start with chilled cream, bowl, and beaters. A tablespoon of instant vanilla pudding mix can also help stabilize whipped cream for longer display or transport—just beat it in with the sugar and vanilla.

Final Thoughts

Baking a Black Forest Cream Cake Recipe is a joyful, rewarding adventure that delivers a whole lot of wow for surprisingly little effort. This timeless treat never fails to feel both nostalgic and special. Gather your ingredients, invite your favorite people, and enjoy every lush layer—because this is a cake everyone should experience at least once!