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Chocolate Forest Layer Cake

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Chocolate Forest Layer Cake is a rich, elegant dessert layered with moist chocolate cake, juicy cherry filling, and whipped cream or chocolate frosting. Inspired by Black Forest Cake, it’s perfect for celebrations and chocolate lovers alike.

  • Author: Ella
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 12–14 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: German-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • For the chocolate cake:
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot coffee or boiling water
  • For the cherry filling:
  • 2 cups pitted dark cherries (fresh, frozen, or canned in juice)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp kirsch or cherry liqueur (optional)
  • For the frosting (choose one):
  • 2 cups sweetened whipped cream
  • or
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate buttercream
  • or
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate cream cheese frosting
  • For garnish:
  • Dark chocolate curls or shavings
  • Whole cherries (fresh or maraschino)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
  3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth, then stir in hot coffee or water. Batter will be thin.
  4. Divide batter evenly into pans. Bake 28–32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  5. For cherry filling: simmer cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a saucepan until thickened. Stir in kirsch if using. Cool completely.
  6. To assemble: place one cake layer on a plate. Spread frosting or whipped cream, then spoon over cherry filling. Repeat with second layer.
  7. Add top cake layer and frost the top and sides with your frosting choice.
  8. Garnish with chocolate shavings and whole cherries. Chill before serving.

Notes

  • Soak cake layers with cherry syrup or kirsch for added flavor.
  • Use canned cherry pie filling for a shortcut.
  • Make cake layers and filling ahead; assemble before serving.
  • Use a vegetable peeler to make chocolate curls from a block of chocolate.
  • Refrigerate cake if using whipped cream frosting.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://elladishes.com/chocolate-forest-layer-cake/