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Decadent Homemade Black Forest Cake Recipe with Cherry Kirsch Filling Made Easy

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A rich and indulgent homemade Black Forest cake featuring moist chocolate layers, a cherry Kirsch filling, and light whipped cream frosting. Perfect for celebrations and easy enough for home bakers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
  • 2 cups (about 300g) fresh or jarred pitted cherries
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp Kirsch cherry brandy (or cherry juice/syrup for non-alcoholic version)
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 cups (480ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
  • ¼ cup (30g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Chocolate shavings or curls for garnish
  • Whole cherries or maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line with parchment.
  2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, warmed milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing gently to combine.
  5. Carefully stir in boiling water; batter will be thin.
  6. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans, pouring slowly to avoid bubbles.
  7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
  8. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely (45-60 minutes).
  9. For cherry Kirsch filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cherries, sugar, Kirsch, and lemon juice. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  10. Mix cornstarch with 1 tbsp water to make slurry; add to cherries and cook, stirring until thickened and glossy (2-3 minutes). Cool completely.
  11. Whip cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form.
  12. Assemble cake: place one cake layer on serving plate, spread cherry Kirsch filling generously over it, then top with a thick layer of whipped cream.
  13. Place second cake layer on top, press gently, and frost entire cake with remaining whipped cream. Smooth with an offset spatula.
  14. Decorate with chocolate shavings and whole cherries.
  15. Refrigerate cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and frosting set.

Notes

Use quality Kirsch like Höchster or Schladerer for authentic cherry flavor. For alcohol-free, substitute Kirsch with cherry juice or syrup and reduce sugar slightly. Chill bowl and beaters before whipping cream to achieve soft peaks. Let cake layers cool completely before assembly to prevent melting whipped cream. Slice cake with serrated knife dipped in hot water for neat pieces.

Nutrition

Keywords: Black Forest cake, cherry Kirsch cake, homemade Black Forest, chocolate cherry cake, whipped cream frosting, easy Black Forest cake

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/decadent-homemade-black-forest-cake-recipe-with-cherry-kirsch-filling-made-easy/