Quick answer: bake three thin chocolate cake layers, brush them with cherry syrup, and stack them with cherry filling and stabilized whipped cream. Cover the cake with more whipped cream and finish with chocolate shavings and cherries.
What you need (8-inch, 3-layer cake)
- Three 8-inch chocolate cake layers (your favorite recipe or a boxed mix), cooled
- 2 jars or cans (about 24 oz / 680 g total) pitted sour cherries in syrup or juice
- ⅓ cup (65 g) sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 cups (720 ml) cold heavy cream
- ⅓ cup (40 g) powdered sugar
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- A bar of dark chocolate for shavings
- Fresh or maraschino cherries for the top
Cherry filling and syrup
- Drain the cherries and keep the liquid.
- Simmer 1 cup of the liquid with the sugar and cornstarch, stirring, until thick and clear. Stir in the cherries and cool completely.
- Keep ½ cup of the remaining liquid for brushing the cake layers (traditionally mixed with 2-3 tablespoons of kirsch).
The whipped cream
Whip the cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla to stiff peaks. Because this cream has to hold up three layers, stabilize it; see stabilized whipped cream for the gelatin, mascarpone and pudding-mix methods, and whipped cream frosting for frosting tips.
Assembling
- Brush the first layer with cherry liquid. Pipe a ring of cream around the edge, fill the centre with half the cherries and cover with a thin layer of cream.
- Repeat with the second layer. Top with the third and brush it with liquid.
- Cover the top and sides with cream.
- Press chocolate shavings onto the sides, pipe rosettes around the top and set a cherry on each.
- Chill for at least 4 hours before slicing.
Tips
- Make chocolate shavings by running a vegetable peeler along the side of a room-temperature bar.
- Cool the cherry filling fully or it will melt the cream.
- Canned cherry pie filling is a shortcut, though it is sweeter.
Variations
- Cupcakes: core chocolate cupcakes, fill with cherries and top with whipped cream.
- Trifle: cube the cake and layer with cherries and cream; see trifle.
- Extra chocolate: a layer of whipped ganache.
Other whipped cream cakes: berry Chantilly cake, strawberry shortcake and tres leches cake.
Frequently asked questions
What is Black Forest cake?
A German layer cake, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, made of chocolate sponge, cherries and whipped cream, decorated with chocolate shavings and more cherries.
What kind of frosting is on Black Forest cake?
Whipped cream, not buttercream. It is usually stabilized so the cake holds its shape.
Does Black Forest cake have alcohol?
Traditionally the layers are brushed with kirsch, a cherry brandy. Cherry juice or the syrup from the cherries is a common alcohol-free substitute.
Does Black Forest cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes. It is filled and covered with fresh cream. Keep it chilled and serve within 2 to 3 days.
