Traditional Black Forest Cake with Chocolate and Cherries

Name: Traditional Black Forest Cake with Chocolate and Cherries
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Germany
Ingredients: 6 eggs; 150 g of sugar; 100 g of flour; 40 g of unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 pinch of salt; 400 g of black cherries (pitted (jarred or fresh)); 40 g of sugar; 20 ml of kiwi; 600 ml of heavy cream ((30% fat minimum)); 60 g of powdered sugar; 1 tsp of vanilla extract; 80 g of chocolate shavings; 8 kirsch (whole)

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German cake made of cocoa sponge, black cherries, vanilla whipped cream, and chocolate shavings. Soft, airy texture, with a chocolate flavor balanced by the tartness of the fruit. 🍒🍫
Keeps in the refrigerator and can be made ahead, ideal for birthday cakes and holiday desserts.

Total time: 1 h 10
Prep: 40 min
Cook: 30 min
Rest: 2 h
Difficulty: Medium
Per person: €1.13

By the CookinBreak team

Goes well with

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As a main

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Nutrition facts

per serving · estimate

420kcal

Protein7 g7%
Carbs34 g33%
Fat28 g61%
Fiber3 g

Share of each nutrient in the calories of one serving.

Good to know

Chef's tip

Chill the bowl, whisks, and cream to 4°C before whipping the cream: it will hold better when assembling and won't turn grainy. For clean edges, smooth with a warm spatula 🔥.

Freezing : Can you freeze this recipe?

Not recommended

Not recommended once assembled. The cream and cherries lose their texture. The sponge alone can be frozen for up to 2 months, well wrapped.

Storage : How long does it keep?

The assembly with whipped cream and fresh cherries deteriorates quickly.

Making ahead : Can you make it the day before?

Yes

The chocolate sponge can be made the day before and wrapped airtight. The cherry compote is prepared and kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Reheating : How do you reheat it?

Does not apply. Black Forest cake is a dessert eaten cold.

Variations

Add kirsch to the cooled cherries.
Soak the layers with the cherry juice.
Cover entirely with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Mistakes to avoid

Cutting the sponge while warm: let it cool completely before cutting it into 3 layers.
Whipping cream that isn't cold enough: use very cold cream.
Serving right away: chill for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a Black Forest cake?

Make a cocoa sponge (30 min at 180°C), cut it into 3 layers, cook the cherries with the sugar, whip the cream, build the layers while soaking them with juice, cover with whipped cream and shavings, then refrigerate for 2 hours.

How do you get the sponge right?

Whisk the eggs, sugar, and salt for 8 to 10 minutes until pale and tripled in volume, then gently fold in the sifted flour and cocoa with a spatula. Bake for 30 minutes at 180°C.

How do you prepare the cherries?

Heat 400 g of pitted black cherries with 40 g of sugar for 5 minutes, let cool slightly, and add the kirsch if using. Their juice is used to soak the layers.

How do you whip the cream?

Whip 600 ml of very cold heavy cream with 60 g of powdered sugar and the vanilla until firm. It fills the layers and covers the whole cake.