Best 5 Dark Forest Cake Recipes

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Indulge in the Enchanting Dark Forest Cake: A Symphony of Chocolate, Cherries, and Kirsch

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Dark Forest Cake, a masterpiece that tantalizes taste buds and captivates hearts. This delectable creation is an intricate dance of flavors, textures, and aromas, where rich chocolate layers embrace a luscious filling of sweet cherries, delicately infused with a hint of kirsch. Each bite unveils a symphony of flavors, from the deep, decadent chocolate to the vibrant burst of cherries and the subtle warmth of kirsch, culminating in an unforgettable gustatory experience. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a moment of pure indulgence, the Dark Forest Cake promises to cast a spell on your senses and leave you utterly enchanted.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

BLACK FOREST CAKE



Black Forest Cake image

Black forest cake, which originated in the Black Forest region of Germany, is typically made with a light chocolate sponge cake, soaked with cherry syrup and cherry brandy (Kirsch), then layered with whipped cream and cherries. This version swaps the chocolate sponge for a denser, fudgier chocolate cake to delicious effect. But slicing a rich chocolate cake into four thin layers can be a bit tricky. To make the job a little easier, cool them completely before slicing. The cherry jam and syrup can be made in advance.

Provided by Samantha Seneviratne

Categories     cakes, dessert

Time 2h

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 cup/240 milliliters vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the pans
1 1/2 cups/140 grams Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups/360 milliliters boiling water
1 cup/240 milliliters buttermilk
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups/330 grams packed dark brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups/385 grams all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 cups (about 20 ounces/600 grams) fresh or frozen dark sweet cherries, pitted
1/2 cup/100 grams granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 to 2 tablespoons Kirsch
1/3 cup/40 grams confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
4 cups/960 milliliters heavy cream
6 ounces/170 grams bittersweet chocolate, shaved into curls
8 fresh or frozen whole dark sweet cherries, pitted

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with oil and line the bottom of each with parchment paper.
  • To prepare the cake, in a large bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and boiling water until smooth. Add the buttermilk and 1 cup vegetable oil, and whisk to combine. Add the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla extract, then whisk to combine.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, then whisk to combine. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer the cakes to a rack to cool for about 20 minutes, then flip the cakes out onto the rack and let them cool completely. Flip the cakes again, so the domed portion is on top, and trim a bit of the dome off each cake to flatten the top. Carefully cut each layer in half horizontally, creating four layers.
  • While the cake cools, prepare the cherry jam: In a small saucepan, combine the cherries and sugar over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking the cherries down with a wooden spoon or potato masher, until the fruit has released its juice, about 6 minutes.
  • Pass the cherry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, reserving the syrup in a medium bowl and setting aside the cooked cherries. Measure out 1/2 cup/120 milliliters of the syrup. (If you have more, store the rest in the refrigerator for another use). Transfer 1 tablespoon syrup from the 1/2 cup to small bowl, then stir the Kirsch into remaining syrup; set aside to cool completely.
  • Add 1 teaspoon cornstarch to the reserved 1 tablespoon cherry syrup in the small bowl; whisk to combine. Transfer it to the saucepan, add the cooked cherries and cook over medium, stirring, until the mixture has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool completely. (You should have about 1 1/4 cups/300 milliliters jam.)
  • Prepare the whipped cream: In a small saucepan, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup heavy cream. Bring that mixture to a low boil over medium heat and cook, stirring, until thickened to the consistency of thin pudding, reducing heat as necessary to avoid scorching, about 2 minutes. Transfer cream mixture to a large bowl to cool completely.
  • Assemble the cake: Whisk the cream mixture to loosen it, then add the remaining 3 cups heavy cream. Using an electric mixer on medium, beat the mixture until you have medium-stiff peaks, about 2 minutes. Set one cake layer on a serving plate, cut-side up. Brush it with some of the cherry-Kirsch syrup, spread about 1 cup whipped cream over the top, then 1/3 of the cherry jam. Swirl the jam and the cream together a bit to spread it out evenly. Repeat this process two more times and top it with the last cake layer, cut-side down. Then cover the entire cake with a thin layer of whipped cream. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • To finish, frost the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Prepare the chocolate curls: Warm the chocolate bar in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, then use a vegetable peeler to create curled chocolate shavings. Press the chocolate shavings onto the sides of the cake and over a 1-inch of the border on top. Top with the 8 cherries. Store leftovers, well wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

BLACK FOREST CAKE I



Black Forest Cake I image

This recipe delivers a classic version of the original Black Forest cake with whipped cream frosting and sour cherries.

Provided by Linda Greer

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Cherry Dessert Recipes

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 ⅛ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 (20 ounce) cans pitted sour cherries
1 cup white sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups heavy whipping cream
⅓ cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch, round, cake pans; cover bottoms with waxed paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine flour, 2 cups sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil, and 1 tablespoon vanilla; beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pans.
  • Bake for 35 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool layers in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Loosen edges, and remove to racks to cool completely.
  • Drain cherries, reserving 1/2 cup juice. Combine reserved juice, cherries, 1 cup sugar and cornstarch in a 2 quart saucepan. Cook over low heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cool before using.
  • Combine whipping cream and confectioner's sugar in a chilled medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form.
  • With long serrated knife, split each cake layer horizontally in half. Tear one split layer into crumbs; set aside. Reserve 1 1/2 cups Frosting for decorating cake; set aside. Gently brush loose crumbs off top and side of each cake layer with pasty brush or hands. To assemble, place one cake layer on cake plate. Spread with 1 cup frosting; top with 3/4 cup cherry topping. Top with second cake layer; repeat layers of frosting and cherry topping. Top with third cake layer. Frost side of cake. Pat reserved crumbs onto frosting on side of cake. Spoon reserved frosting into pastry bag fitted with star decorator tip. Pipe around top and bottom edges of cake. Spoon remaining cherry topping onto top of cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 661.9 calories, Carbohydrate 86.9 g, Cholesterol 129.6 mg, Fat 33.9 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 7.5 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, Sodium 341.9 mg, Sugar 61.8 g

QUICK BLACK FOREST CAKE



Quick Black Forest Cake image

This version of Black Forest cake gets you an easy, delicious, and moist cake by using cherry pie filling and devil's food cake mix.

Provided by Donna

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Cake Mix Cake Recipes

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix with pudding
3 eggs
1 tablespoon almond extract
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons milk
½ cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Mix together: cake mix, beaten eggs, almond extract, cherry pie filling and 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips. Stir until just combined. Pour batter into a greased 9x13 inch pan.
  • Bake in a 350 degree F (175 degree C) oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove cake from oven and let cool.
  • To Make Glaze: Heat 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, butter or margarine, and milk in a saucepan over medium high heat. Once semisweet chocolate chips are melted and mixture is combined stir in confectioners' sugar.
  • Spread glaze over cooled cake. Serve cake as is or with whipped cream and a cherry.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 263.4 calories, Carbohydrate 41.7 g, Cholesterol 38.5 mg, Fat 9.7 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 235.7 mg, Sugar 23.5 g

BLACK FOREST CAKE



Black Forest Cake image

Devil's food cake mix makes it easy to prepare an impressive, tasty torte that perfectly pairs chocolate and cherries.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ devil's food cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1 pint (2 cups) whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons brandy, if desired
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans, or spray with baking spray with flour.
  • Make and bake cake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • In medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until slightly thickened. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in brandy. In another small bowl, mix pie filling and almond extract.
  • On serving plate, place 1 cake layer, rounded side down. Spread with half of the whipped cream, then 1 cup cherry mixture to within 1 inch of edge. Top with second layer, rounded side up. Frost top with remaining whipped cream. Spoon remaining cherry mixture over top. Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Store covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190, Carbohydrate 28 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 180 mg, Sugar 18 g, TransFat 1 g

BLACK FOREST CAKE



Black Forest Cake image

Some historians trace this famous cherry-chocolate cake (called Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in German) back to the 16th century, but it was most likely named and popularized by German baker Josef Keller in 1915 Germans take their world-famous dessert seriously: The cake was granted protected status by the European Commission in 2013, meaning that for a dessert to be sold as a Black Forest Cake, it must contain Black Forest kirsch, a brandy made from local cherries.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 3h10m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Unsalted butter, for the pans
1/3 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, plus more for the pans
8 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup cake flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup almond flour
11/3 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 cups cold heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups cherries in light syrup, such as Morello, drained and chopped, plus 2 tablespoons syrup from one 24-ounce jar)
1 to 2 tablespoons kirsch (cherry brandy; optional)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
Shaved chocolate, for topping

Steps:

  • Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottoms and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans; line the bottoms with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and dust the bottoms and sides of the pans with cocoa powder, tapping out the excess.
  • Put the eggs (in their shells) in a medium bowl and cover with hot tap water; let stand 5 minutes (warming the eggs will help them whip better). Sift the cocoa powder, cake flour and salt into a medium bowl, then whisk in the almond flour; set aside.
  • Remove the eggs from the water and crack into a large bowl. Add the granulated sugar and beat with a mixer on low speed to combine. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until pale, fluffy and thick, about 10 minutes. The mixture should fall off the beaters in a ribbon when lifted.
  • Sprinkle one-third of the flour mixture over the egg mixture and gently fold with a whisk until combined. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture in two batches, adding the vanilla with the final addition. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes pull away from the sides of the pans and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Immediately run a small offset spatula around the edges to loosen. Let the cakes cool 5 minutes in the pans, then remove to a rack, parchment-side down, and let cool completely.
  • Meanwhile, make the whipped cream: Whisk the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan (the cornstarch will help stabilize the whipped cream). Slowly add 3/4 cup heavy cream, whisking, until a paste forms. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring, until thick and bubbling, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl, place a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate until completely cooled, about 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the filling: Bring the cherries, cherry syrup, kirsch and granulated sugar to a simmer in a small saucepan, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the almond extract and transfer to a bowl. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
  • Finish the whipped cream: Beat the remaining 2 1/4 cups cold heavy cream and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. With the mixer running, add the cooked cream mixture and beat until stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Drain the cherries and reserve the syrup. Discard the parchment from the cakes. Trim a thin layer off the top of each cake with a long serrated knife. Put one cake cut-side up on a cake stand or serving plate and brush with half of the reserved syrup. Spread about 1 cup whipped cream over the top in a thin layer, then top with all but 1/4 cup cherries. Spread 1 cup whipped cream over the cherries in a thin layer. Top with the remaining cake and brush with the remaining syrup. Spread 1 1/2 cups whipped cream over the top and sides of the cake in a thin layer (some crumbs are OK). Refrigerate 30 minutes.
  • Spread the remaining whipped cream over the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Sprinkle the shaved chocolate around the top of the cake and press into the sides; top with the reserved cherries. Refrigerate overnight; the cake will soak up the syrup.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality dark chocolate: This will give your cake a rich, decadent flavor.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can make the cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the cake in a water bath: This will help to prevent the cake from drying out.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it: This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • Use a variety of berries in the filling: This will give your cake a beautiful, colorful appearance.
  • Make the cake ahead of time: The cake can be made up to 3 days in advance. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator.

Conclusion:

The dark forest cake is a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It is rich, decadent, and sure to impress your guests. With a few simple tips, you can make a dark forest cake that is sure to be a hit. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!

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