Black Forest Cherry Cake

Ingredients

• For the cake: For the cake:
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240ml) milk 1 cup (240ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120ml) Kirsch (cherry liqueur) 1/2 cup (120ml) Kirsch (cherry liqueur)
• 1/2 cup (120ml) boiling water 1/2 cup (120ml) boiling water
• For the cherry filling: For the cherry filling:
• 2 cups (500g) pitted cherries, fresh or canned 2 cups (500g) pitted cherries, fresh or canned
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• For the whipped cream: For the whipped cream:
• 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For decoration: For decoration:
• Dark chocolate shavings Dark chocolate shavings
• Additional cherries Additional cherries

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 15g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 52g, 38g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. 3.
   Add the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
4. 4.
   Stir in the Kirsch until incorporated. Gradually add the boiling water while stirring continuously. The batter will be thin.
5. 5.
   Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. 6.
   Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. 7.
   Meanwhile, prepare the cherry filling by combining the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let it cool.
8. 8.
   In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
9. 9.
   Once the cakes have cooled, slice each cake horizontally into two equal layers.
10. 10.
    Place one layer of cake on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of whipped cream over the cake, followed by a layer of cherry filling. Repeat this process with the remaining layers.
11. 11.
    Frost the sides and top of the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Decorate with chocolate shavings and cherries.
12. 12.
    Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cherries — If fresh cherries are not available, you can use canned cherries in light syrup as a substitute. Make sure to drain them well before using.
• Kirsch — If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can substitute the Kirsch with cherry juice or cherry syrup for a similar flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• To make the cake extra moist, brush each cake layer with a little extra Kirsch before adding the cherry filling and whipped cream.
• For a more intense chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder instead of regular cocoa powder.
• Garnish the cake with fresh mint leaves for an added touch of freshness.
• If you prefer a sweeter cherry filling, you can increase the amount of sugar according to your taste.
• Allow the cake to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight before serving to enhance the flavors.

Serving advice

Serve each slice of Black Forest Cherry Cake with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings on top. Pair it with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk for a delightful dessert experience.

Presentation advice

To create an elegant presentation, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar just before serving. Place a few whole cherries on top and around the cake. You can also pipe rosettes of whipped cream along the edges for a decorative touch.