Skip to Content

Black Forest Cake

This black forest cake is the perfect showstopper of a dessert. It combines moist chocolate cake, homemade cherry filling and mascarpone whipped cream.

This black forest cake is the perfect showstopper of a dessert. It combines moist chocolate cake, homemade cherry filling and mascarpone whipped cream.

When I was in my 20s I traveled to Germany and I fell in love.

People always ask me “what is your favorite country you have traveled to” and my reply is always the same – Germany.

Usually, people respond with an odd look and then a remark with “Have you been to Italy…or France?”

Listen, I get that Italy and France get all the love and while I do in fact think they are gorgeous my heart still belongs to Germany.

On a practical level, I like Germany because it’s easy to get around, the people are friendly and it’s clean.

Yes, cleanliness matters on my country’s ranking scale.

On a food level, I love all things sausage and delicious beer is my life.

Plus, black forest cake. Sweet baby J yes!

This black forest cake is the perfect showstopper of a dessert. It combines moist chocolate cake, homemade cherry filling and mascarpone whipped cream.

The last time I was in Germany I was 23 years old and it was the middle of January.

In case you’re wondering “Gee. I wonder if it’s cold in Germany in January?” the answer is yes. Very, very, very cold.

I remember one day I took a tram up to the top of the mountain to visit a little cafe.

I walked around outside for a while but finally went inside to warm up.

Then I ordered a big slice of black forest cake and a warm mug of mulled wine.

The spicy wine mixed with the rich chocolate cake was a match made in heaven.

That’s 23 years old me in that picture.

Nutmeg Nanny in Germany

Since I have no plans on traveling to Germany anytime soon (but I would in a heartbeat if anyone needs me to come out for a trip) I decided to relive my own memory in my kitchen.

Plus I’m turning 33 years old today so it seems fitting.

10 years is just too long to wait for another slice of black forest cake.

Especially when that cake is a birthday cake.

This black forest cake is the perfect showstopper of a dessert. It combines moist chocolate cake, homemade cherry filling and mascarpone whipped cream.

More cake recipes

This black forest cake is the perfect showstopper of a dessert. It combines moist chocolate cake, homemade cherry fillings and mascarpone whipped cream.

Black Forest Cake

Author: Brandy O’Neill – Nutmeg Nanny
This black forest cake is the perfect showstopper of a dessert. It combines moist chocolate cake, homemade cherry filling and mascarpone whipped cream.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

For cake:

For cherries:

  • 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 cups frozen whole cherries pitted
  • 2 tablespoons kirschwasser

For whipped topping:

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream very cold
  • 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
  • 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions

For cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, line the bottom 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with parchment paper, and spray the pans with non-stick cooking or baking spray.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Whisk to combine.
  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl add egg, egg white, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until well combined. Drizzle in the coffee and brandy while whisking constantly so you do not scramble your eggs, about 2 minutes total.
  • Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir to fully combine. The batter will be runny.
  • Divide the batter into the prepared pans and bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when tested in the middle. Cool completely.

For cherries:

  • In a small bowl mix together brown sugar and cornstarch.
  • In a small pot add cherries, dark brown sugar mixture, and kirschwasser. Cook over low heat until the mixture cooks down and begins to thicken.
  • Once it's thick (about 10-15 minutes) remove it from the heat and let it cool. The mixture should thicken as it cools as well.

For whipped cream:

  • In the bowl of an electric mixer add heavy whipping cream and beat on high (using your whisk attachment) until soft peaks.
  • Add in mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste and whip until stiff peaks have formed.

For cake assembly:

  • Place one cake on the bottom of your cake stand or cake plate.
  • Top with 1/2 of the mascarpone whipped topping and 1/2 of the cherry mixture.
  • Top with remaining cake and spread remaining whipped topping on the top of the cake. Top the cake with the remaining cherries – I like to keep the cherries in the middle so that they do not drizzle too much.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 857kcal | Carbohydrates: 103g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 950mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 73g
Course Dessert
Cuisine German
Keyword black forest cake, cherry chocolate cake, german layer cakes, layer cakes, layered black forest cake
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment and 5 star review!
Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

Recipe Rating




Michaela

Monday 11th of January 2016

Dear Brandy, I am from Germany and of course I eaten many Black Forest cherry cake in my life.... BUT never ever such abrilliant delicious one !!!! Perfekt xx Michaela

Joanne

Tuesday 10th of February 2015

You know, I'm just realizing that I have had a LOT of mediocre black forest cake in my life...and I really think I need to make up for it with this. My birthday IS coming up soon...

Carrie D.

Tuesday 10th of February 2015

I just assembled mine. I can't find how to add a photo or I would show you. It looks delicious. I made it for a Valentine's day chocolate cook off at work. I hope we win.

nutmegnanny

Tuesday 10th of February 2015

Hi Carrie! I hope you love the recipe! Feel free to post a picture to the NN Facebook page :) (www.facebook.com/nutmegnanny)

valmg @ From Val's Kitchen

Sunday 8th of February 2015

Oh. My. Heavens. That looks so good! I could go for a piece right now!

Rose | The Clean Dish

Sunday 8th of February 2015

As a German girl living in the US, I'm just SO thrilled to hear that someone appreciates our cleanliness and infrastructure!! Two of the things I miss the most. I miss being able to walk to places, take the bus or train... sigh... Black Forest Cake is my favorite and the one you made looks JUST like my mom's! Loving it!! Makes me homesick.... I bet it tastes amazing!

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic