Amanda’s Black Forest Cake

Directions

Here’s a classic 9-inch round Black Forest cake (one tall cake, sliced into layers) using real whipped cream and cocktail cherries—rich but not heavy, and very traditional.

⸻

🍫 Chocolate Cake (9-inch round, tall)

Oven: 350°F (175°C)

Pan: 1 deep 9-inch round (3 inches tall), lined and greased

(Or bake in two standard 9-inch pans and stack)

Ingredients

•1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour

•¾ cup (75 g) cocoa powder (natural or Dutch)

•1¾ cups (350 g) sugar

•2 tsp baking soda

•1 tsp baking powder

•1 tsp salt

•2 large eggs, room temp

•1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 Tbsp vinegar)

•½ cup neutral oil

•2 tsp vanilla

•1 cup hot coffee or hot water

Method

1.Whisk dry ingredients together.

2.Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

3.Slowly whisk in hot coffee/water (batter will be thin).

4.Pour into pan.

5.Bake 45–55 minutes (or 30–35 min if split pans).

6.Cool completely, then slice into 2 or 3 layers.

⸻

🍒 Cherry Filling (Cocktail Cherry Version)

Ingredients

•1½ cups cocktail cherries, chopped

•¼ cup cherry syrup (from the jar)

•1 Tbsp cornstarch

•1 Tbsp lemon juice (optional but recommended)

Method

1.Stir syrup and cornstarch in a saucepan.

2.Heat until thick and glossy.

3.Fold in chopped cherries and lemon juice.

4.Cool fully before using.

(You want it spoonable, not runny.)

⸻

☁️ Whipped Cream Frosting (Stabilized, No Gelatin)

Ingredients

•2½ cups cold heavy cream

•⅓ cup powdered sugar

•2 tsp vanilla

•2 Tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix (optional but very helpful)

Method

1.Whip cream, sugar, and vanilla to soft peaks.

2.Add pudding mix (if using).

3.Whip to medium-stiff peaks—holds shape but still silky.

⸻

🍒 Assembly

1.Layer 1: Chocolate cake

•Brush lightly with cherry syrup

•Spread whipped cream

•Spoon cherry filling evenly

2.Layer 2: Repeat

3.Top layer:

•Frost entire cake with whipped cream

•Decorate with whole cocktail cherries

4.Finish:

•Press chocolate shavings or curls around sides

•Chill at least 2 hours before slicing

⸻

✨ Tips for Best Results

•Keep everything cold when working with whipped cream.

•Don’t over-soak the cake—Black Forest should be moist, not soggy.

•Cocktail cherries are sweeter than sour cherries → the lemon juice keeps it balanced.

•This cake is best eaten within 24 hours.

If you want:

•a kirsch-free traditional profile ✔️ (this already is)

•a lighter sponge version

•or a two-layer instead of tall cake

Tell me how you’re serving it and I’ll adjust it precisely.