Black Forest Cake - A Special Occasion Cake for Father's Day
Black Forest Cake for a Special Occasion
German Black Forest Cake...mmmm...
Black Forest Cake is one of those luscious and beautiful cakes that is bound to impress the crowd. I first made it for a family reunion many years ago, and now make it for many special occasions. Wouldn't it be a lovely dessert for a birthday, Mother's Day or Father's Day?
My first German Black Forest Cake was a huge success with our family who ranked it right up there with other family favorites like German Sauerbraten and Rouladin. The only pitfall of making Black Forest Cake once is that you'll be asked to make it for every occasion in the future.
The Black Forest Cake is constructed out of layers of chocolate and yellow cakes, filled with whipped cream, chocolate mouse and cherry fillings and decorated with whipped cream and chocolate swirls. Mmmmm...!
In this hub, I will give you the wonderful scratch recipe for this cake as well as some short cuts if you wish to save time. Enjoy!
Never Fear - There's an Easy Version of Black Forest Cake at the Bottom of the Page
For those who would like to try an easier version, I'm also including a simpler recipe for a delicious Easy Black Forest Cake. I often make this version for my family, and they love it almost as much as the original version which is reserved for special occasions. In the easy version, I cheat by using a chocolate cake mix and I skip the yellow cake layer.
Shopping List for Black Forest Cake Ingredients:
The shopping list is for baking the large German Black Forest Cake from scratch.
- Eggs - 7
- Butter - 3/4 cup
- Semi sweet chocolate - 3 oz.
- Unsweetened Cocoa - 3/4 cup
- Heavy whipping cream - 3-4 cups
- Milk - 9 oz.
- Cherry pie filling - 3 cans
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- Chocolate candy bar
- All Purpose Flour
- Vanilla
- Baking Powder
- Sugar
- Salt
- Kirsch for flavoring (optional)
Aunt Stephie's German Black Forest Cake
My nieces and nephews recognize this cake when they see it at a family gathering and say, "Oh, it's Aunt Stephie's Black Forest Cake!" Hence, the name. But you can call it German Black Forest Cake if you wish!
The recipe below is for a large, four layer cake that is perfect for a crowd. Start with a chocolate cake and a yellow cake baked in 9" X 13" pans. After the cakes are baked and cooled, freeze them for several hours before splitting each cake with a very sharp knife or an electric knife. I find that the electric knife makes a nicer cut with fewer crumbs.
Making this cake is time consuming because of the multiple fillings used in the traditional version, but the end result is worth the effort. This cake makes 20 to 25 servings if you plan your cutting carefully.
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Ingredients for Chocolare Layers of Black Forest Cake
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup cocoa
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 cup milk
Instructions for Chocolate Layers of Black Forest Cake
- Cream together sugar, butter, eggs, cocoa and vanilla.
- Beat in baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Add flour and milk alternately a little at a time, beating after each addition.
- Pour into a 9" X 13" greased and paper lined pan.
- Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until cake tests done. Turn out onto wire cake racks and cool well.
- If you are splitting this cake into two layers for the Black Forest Cake, freeze for an hour or two and split with an electric knife or very sharp bread knife.
Ingredients for Yellow Cake Layers of Black Forest Cake
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup plus 2 T. milk
Instructions for Yellow Cake Layers
- Cream together sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla.
- Beat in baking powder and salt.
- Add flour and milk alternately a little at a time, beating after each addition.
- Pour into a 9" X 13" greased and paper lined pan.
- Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool well.
- If you are splitting this cake into two layers for the Black Forest Cake, freeze for an hour or two and split with an electric knife or very sharp bread knife.
Fillings for Black Forest Cake -Prepare Separately
While cakes are chilling in the freezer, prepare Cherry Filling, Chocolate Mouse Filling, Butter Cream Icing and Whipped Cream in separate bowls.
-
Cherry Filling
1 can cherry pie filling plus 1 T. Kirsch -
Chocolate Mouse Filling
3 oz. semi sweet chocolate
3 T. Kirsch (optional)
1 egg well beaten
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 T. sugar
Instructions for Chocolate Mouse Filling:
Melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler set over boiling water. Stir until smooth, then slowly stir in 1 well-beaten egg. Whip 1 cup of whipping cream with the sugar and fold into the chocolate mixture. Chill for 2 hours. -
Butter Cream Icing
Make a butter cream icing with 1 cup of confectioners sugar and 1/4 cup soft butter creamed together with 2 tbs. cream or milk. Add more liquid to make it spreading consistency. - Whipped Cream
Beat the other cup of heavy cream with 2 T. of sugar until it forms soft peaks. Chill until ready to put cake together. -
Chocolate Curls for Cake Decoration
- 1 bar of milk or dark chocolate at room temperature. With a sharp knife, shave off thin curls of chocolate and sprinkle on top of whipped cream for decorations.
Steps for Assembling the large 9" X 13" Black Forest Cake:
- Split the frozen chocolate cake and the yellow cake lengthwise into two layers so that you have 4 thin layers of cake. Round layers can be split without freezing, but large oblong layers will hold together better if they're frozen first. It's also easier to work with the layers as you put them together if you freeze first.
- First layer - place yellow cake layer cut side down on cake plate and cover top with thin layer of butter cream icing. With butter cream icing make a 1/2 inch ridge along top edge of the layer and another 1/2" ridge about 3 inches inside the layer. Fill between ridges with cherry pie filling. T
- Second layer - place chocolate layer cut side down on top of yellow layer. cover with chilled chocolate mouse filling.
- Third layer - Place second yellow cake layer on top of chocolate mouse filling. Top with a 1 1/2 cups of whipped cream.
- Fourth layer - Place last chocolate layer cut side down on top of whipped cream. Frost sides of cake with whipped cream. Top can be whipped cream or topped with cherry pie filling and garnished along the edges with whipped cream swirls. Decorate with Maraschino cherries and chocolate curls. Refrigerate until serving.
- Because of the height of this cake, it will serve quite a few people. If you cut slices about an inch wide by 4.5 inches long, you can get 20-26 slices out of this cake. This cake will freeze well, so make ahead when you need it for a special occasion.
Shopping List for Easy Black Forest Cake
2 cans cherry pie filling
1 box chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
1 pint heavy cream for whipping
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 box instant chocolate pudding
1 1/2 cups milk
Kirsch or cherry liquor for additional flavoring (optional)
Quick Black Forest Cake- The Easy Version
While nothing will match the original made-from-scratch cake recipe, this quicker version is also delicious and impressive. Because it's so much easier to make, you can have it more often without having to dedicate a day to baking. Make it for your family or even take it to the pot luck dinner!
Instructions Quick Black Forest Cake
1 box chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
1 can cherry pie filling
Mix cake mix, eggs and 1 can of cherry pie filling together using an electric mixer. Pour into 2 flour lined 9 inch cake pans and bake for 35-40 minutes at 350°F. Cool cake on racks until room temperature.
Prepare fillings in separate bowls:
Butter Cream Icing:
Make a butter cream icing with 1 cup of confectioners sugar and 1/4 cup soft butter creamed together with 2 tbs. cream or milk. Add more liquid to make it spreading consistency.
Chocolate Filling:
Using a whisk or electric mixer mix instant pudding mix with 1 1/2 cups cold milk.
Whipped Cream:
Whip 1 cup heavy cream with 1/4 cup of sugar until cream holds soft peaks.
Steps for Assembling the Easy Black Forest Cake
- Set first layer on cake plate with rounded top side down. Spread with the chocolate filling.
- Place second layer on top with top side up (this keeps the center of the cake level).
- Spread a thin coat of butter cream icing on the top of the second layer. This will keep the cherry filling from soaking into the cake and making it soggy.
- Spoon cherries onto the top of the cake keeping about 3/4 from the edge.
- Frost side of cake with a thick layer of whipped cream. Add a rim of whipped cream around the top edge of the cake up to the cherries.
- If you wish, dab a spoonful of whipped cream in the center of the cherries. Garnish with grated chocolate or chocolate curls if you have chocolate on hand.
Hope You Enjoy One of These Recipes
Whichever recipe you decide to use, I hope you will enjoy this luscious, sweet desert with your family and friends. It's a perfect dessert to follow your German style Sauerbraten or Rouladen dinner!
Impress Mom by making Black Forest Cake for Mother's Day, or make it for a special birthday, anniversary or graduation. Pour a good cup of coffee and have a piece of cake for me!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright ©2011 Stephanie Henkel
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Comments
Making the Black Forest Cake from scratch takes some time, but it isn't really difficult. Glad you found the recipe clear and easy to follow. Thanks for stopping by to comment!
WowWowWee!!! I am so impressed. I know you worked hard in getting this Hub together. Voted up, useful, interesting, and AWESOME. Bookmarked for when I feel extra ambitious in my kitchen. Thanks so much!
Ummm!! delicious...black forest is my favourite. Voted up!!and awesome...
carrie
This looks delicious! And the way you describe it, it seems very easy to make. Might try this one sometime!
Voted up and useful!
Doubless a great hub. I am far too fat to read it however...Bob
Arlene - Black Forest Cake is definitely something make when you're feeling ambitious as it does take time to put together. I derive great satisfaction from creating a beautiful cake... oh, yes, and eating it too! :)
Robin - Do give it a try when you'd like to make something really special for family or friends. Thanks for your votes!
Carrie - This Black Forest Cake is delicious! Even when I make it for dinner, I seldom get to have more than one piece as it gets gobbled up! Thanks for visiting and voting!
Diogenes - Hahaha...I'm sorry if reading this is not on your diet. Obviously, you haven't read my hub on diets. :)
I just gained 5 pounds reading and admiring your hub Stephanie! Thank you for the sweet treat this morning :)
Sunshine - Then you can just imagine the weight I gained while writing about that chocolate mouse filling and whipped cream that covers the Black Forest Cake! It's definitely for those special occasions when you aren't watching your weight! :)
What a wonderfully tasty Hub. I've bookmarked this, not because I am capable of making such a beautiful cake as this one, but to pass on to someone who could. And if I am nice to her, maybe she just may consider making me my FAVORITE CAKE IN THIS WHOLE WIDE WORLD..yummmmy. You just sent my taste buds soaring to heaven and back, now I've got to have a slice and I know just where to find one to. LoL....thank you for this beautiful share.
Saddlerrider - How lucky you are to have a friend who will make you one of these yummy Black Forest Cakes! Have a slice for me! Thanks for your very nice comments!
Oh wow! Other than Red Velvet cake, my favorite dessert is Black Forest Cake! I love that you included a "fast" version of the recipe too. Bookmarked, tweeted and rated up. YUM!
This looks DIVINE! I can't wait to try making it. Thank you for sharing - feel free to keep sharing more delicious recipes :)
Steph - I have to admit that I will often use cake mixes for the cake part, but still make the fancier fillings. The Black Forest cake is good no matter which way you go! Thanks for bookmarking, voting and tweeting! I appreciate your support!
Pinkchic - This cake is definitely divine! I love sharing recipes and I'm so glad that you like this one. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Stephanie, Black forest cake is one of my favourites, but I have never attempted to make one, I have always bought a frozen one, I am sure a home made version would be superior!
The recipe looks nice and easy to follow, so I may give it a go!
Movie Master - Although it takes some time to put together, the recipe itself isn't difficult. I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try!
Thanks for the detailed instructions! I can see why your family loves it!
Absolutely one of my favorites, I could eat this cake seven days a week! Thanks for sharing the recipe...Voted Up!
Carcro - Haha...if you make the large cake and keep it all for yourself, you could have quite a few deserts from it! Thanks for stopping by to comment!
I love chocolate and Black Forest cake is my favorite. Thanks for share this recipe with us. It sound delicious as well. I'll show this to my mom. Well done and vote up! Have a nice weekend.
Prasetio
Most welcome Stephanie, I always enjoy stopping by and reading your hubs...
After seeing this hub I am now craving this wonderful cake! One of my favorites. Sinfully delicious. Voted up, useful and awesome.
Oooooh my goooooodness.... black forest cake is one of my favorites. I'll have to give your take on it a try! I love how you've included the easy version, too. Sometimes, all I want to do is just EAT a cake, not take a lot of time buying ingredients and baking... though 90% of the time, I'm more interested in the process than the result, hahaa ^_^;;
Prasetio - I hope you can convince your Mom to bake this for you! Thanks for stopping by to comment and vote!
Gypsy48 - Well, the weekend is coming up, and that's a good excuse to bake a nice Black Forest Cake! Thanks for your votes and comments!
Simone - I also have to be in the right mood to bake or cook anything that takes a lot of time - hence the two recipes! Hope you enjoy whichever one you choose!
I have NOT had a slice of that cake since my Mom passed away. She made an awesome black forrest cake and WOW, you got me excited, I may have to try this myself in the next few weeks.
Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie, great article first off. Second, I want some! This article just invites you right in. Voted up, useful, and awesome.
Lyricwriter - I want some too! The beautiful fall weather is just perfect for baking a delicious cake and inviting some friends over to enjoy it. Thank you for stopping by to read my hub, comment and vote!
Stephanie, you must be a MASTER in kitchen! This cake is so...WOW!
Plinka - What a nice thing to say! Thank you! Hope you enjoy the cake if you decide to make it!
Looks so yummy :( I wish i could make one.
Brandasaur - You can! Try the easy version of the Black Forest chocolate cherry cake - it's still yummy!
Oh Stephanie, delish! I'm going to tell you what I told the person who won the "hub of the day" a few days ago: I don't want my cheerios and coffee this morning, I want that cake in the photo.
Great hub!
John
John Sarkis - Haha..I'm with you! I can eat cake with my coffee any morning! Thanks for the read and comments! You must give the recipe a try!
my girl is always asking me to make one of these from scratch - this looks doable, I think we'll give it a try, thanks for sharing the instructions for every step - and
I think I'll make that chocolate mousse separately for Valentine's Day!
eye say - Black Forest Cake sounds like the perfect special dessert for Valentine's Day. The red cherries on top will make it especially festive! Have fun with it!
Love your recipe, I have a similar one but our tradition is to use different fruits that come with the season. Cherries are first to fruit so the first cake in the spring and early summer must be the Black Forrest Cake. Thanks again F.
Felina Margetty - I love cherries on the black forest cake, and it must be especially delightful when you use fresh cherries. Thanks for stopping by to comment!
It sounds very good. I'll add this recipe to my list. Thanks for sharing. Voted UP.
Moonlake - This cake not only tastes good, but it is very eye appealing - a nice cake to make for a special occasions! Thanks for your comments and votes!
This is my favourite cake, I think it went out of favour for a while and I have no idea why because it's fabulous - voted up and thank you for sharing.
Hello Eileen Goodall - Black forest cake never did go out of favor for our family - it's still a favorite! Thanks for stopping in to comment and for your vote!
I love Black Forest Cake! Well the original one, the Schwarzwaelderkirsch Torte. In fact, I have just made one for my friend´s birthday 2 weeks ago. I also love making this cake as it is very relaxing to me. My recipe, which I got from a German friend is similar to yours only I don´t use the yellow cake layer.
Thanks for sharing. Voted up and useful;-)
Thelma Alberts - It's so rewarding to bake something intricate and delicious as the Black Forest Cake for a special occasion. I have had this cake without the yellow layer, and it's still wonderful. Thank you for your comments and the votes!
kerlynb 7 months ago
I often buy black forest cake (and choco mousse!) for special occasions and even give it out as gifts. It never occurred to me that I can actually make one! You made the instructions really clear and simple for a novice baker to follow.