Eggless Black Forest Cake Recipe

Black Forest Cake: The Guide to Making this Chocolate and Cherry Delight from Scratch

Treat yourself to the deliciousness of a homemade black forest cake! It's like a soft, chocolaty dream with cherry goodness that melts in your mouth. This classic German dessert is all about layers of moist chocolate cake, creamy whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and cherry filling—a delightful mix of flavours and textures.

And guess what? You don't need to be a pro baker to make it! Our easy black forest cake recipe is here to prove that anyone can whip up this heavenly treat at home. So, here's a simple black forest cake recipe for you! So, let's get baking. 

Homemade Black Forest Cake Recipe

So, how to make black forest cake at home? Making this cake at home may seem overwhelming, but the write-up has simplified the recipe into effortless steps. You can prepare the ingredients in advance and get into the baking process the following or the same day. 

Black Forest Cake Ingredients

Following the ingredients for a black forest cake mentioned below can help you make a delicious cake at home. The recipe consists of three elements, wherein each element requires different ingredients. These include:

Cake
• 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups of white sugar
• ¾ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon of baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup of vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

Topping
• 2 cans of pitted sour cherries
• 1 cup of white sugar
• ½ cup of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache
• 1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
• 220 gms of semi-sweet chocolate

Frosting
• 3 cups of heavy whipping cream
• ⅓ cup of confectioners' sugar

Alternate Ingredients for a Vegan and Healthy Black Forest Cake

Use the alternative ingredients mentioned below to make a vegan and healthier version of the black forest cake:-

• Use dates, jaggery, or coconut sugar instead of white sugar
• Use non-dairy milk, like coconut, soy, or almond milk, instead of dairy milk.

Step 1 - Preheat the Oven

Firstly, preheat the oven to 177 degrees centigrade. Grease and flour round-shaped cake pans and parchment paper. The parchment paper helps the cake come out smoothly from the pan. Place a medium-sized bowl in the fridge to chill.

Step 2 - Make the Cake

Whisk flour, cocoa powder, and other black forest cake ingredients in a bowl. Set the dry mixture aside. Mix milk, vanilla, cream, and oil using a blender. Then, add the dry ingredients in small portions in the wet batter and beat the mixture until combined.

Step 3 - Divide the Batter Evenly

Divide the cake batter evenly between three pans. Bake for at least 20 to 25 minutes. Monitor your baking time because it can vary. Bake this mixture in the oven until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Take out the cake from the oven and allow it to cool down. Be mindful when handling the cake. When the cakes are cooled, use a cake leveller or knife to slice a thin layer and create a flat surface.

Step 4 - Prepare the Syrup

While the cake bakes, separate the cherries from the juice. Keep half a portion of cherries for later use. Reduce the juice, cherries, sugar, and cornstarch in a pan over low heat until thickened. After preparing the syrup, let it cool. Then, brush the syrup all over the cake. Meanwhile, cut the remaining cherries into pieces and keep some for garnishing.

Step 5 - Make the Ganache

Chop the chocolate and keep it in a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a pan until it simmers. Pour the chocolate into the pan and allow it to sit for two to three minutes. Stir the mixture slowly until the chocolate melts completely. Set it aside and let it cool while you prepare the whipped cream.

Step 6 - Make the Whipped Cream

Using a blender with a whisk attachment, whip the cream and sugar on medium to high speed until soft.

Step 7 - Assemble the Cake

Place one layer of cake on a plate. Spread one cup of whipped cream evenly. Garnish it with halved cherries and drizzle some cherry syrup. Top it with the second layer of the cake and do the same, followed by the third layer. Spread the leftover whipped cream evenly on the top and around the sides in a thin layer. You can use a bench scraper to smoothen the cream on the sides.

Step 8 - Decorate the Cake and Serve

Pour chocolate ganache on the top of the cake. Spread it to the edges, enabling it to drip down gently. Garnish the cake with whole cherries. Refrigerate for approximately thirty minutes before slicing the cake and serving. Cover and store the leftover cake in the refrigerator for up to a week or at room temperature for a day.

Conclusion

After you bake your eggless black forest cake, your kitchen space will be filled with the aroma of fresh, soft, chocolaty, cherry and spongy delight, and you will have a plate of freshly baked happiness to dive into! 

FAQs

1. What type of chocolate must you use to make the black forest cake?

Any good-quality dark chocolate can be used to make this chocolaty and cherry delight. However, it must have approximately 50% cocoa solids. Refrain from adding chocolate chips because they may not melt.

2. How long can you store the cake, and how do you do it?

You can easily store the cake in an airtight container in the fridge for approximately three days. But it is advisable to consume fresh cake.

3. Can you replace the whipped cream with something else?

Even though whipped cream is a conventional component of the black forest cake, you can replace dairy whipped cream with coconut cream. It is especially true if you or the recipient is allergic or intolerant to dairy products.