Black Forest Cake
A classic German dessert featuring layers of chocolate cake, cherries, and whipped cream, topped with dark chocolate shavings.
Ingredients
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder sifted
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
- 1 cup hot water or hot coffee
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup cherry liqueur
- 3 cups whipping cream cold
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 250 g good quality dark chocolate chopped
- 2 1/2 cups cherries pitted and cut in half
- 1 bar dark chocolate for shavings (optional)
- cherries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 320°F (160°C). Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans.
- Mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add oil, buttermilk, hot water or coffee, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and cherry liqueur. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool.
- Split each cake layer in half horizontally. Brush each layer with the cherry syrup. Spread whipped cream and cherries on each layer, then stack them.
- Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining whipped cream and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Top with dark chocolate shavings if desired.
Notes
For the best flavor, use high-quality dark chocolate and fresh cherries. The cake is best served chilled.