Description
This Luscious Black Forest Cherry Cake is a decadent chocolate treat featuring a moist cocoa cake layered with sweet cherry pie filling, finished with rich dark chocolate ganache and fresh cherries. Perfect for special occasions or anytime you want to indulge your chocolate and cherry cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Filling & Topping
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
- 1 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar (optional)
- 1 cup dark chocolate ganache
- Fresh cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to blend evenly.
- Add wet ingredients: Add eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Use a mixer on medium speed to blend everything together for about 2 minutes until smooth.
- Incorporate boiling water: Carefully stir in the boiling water until fully combined. Note that the batter will be thin; this is normal and ensures a moist cake.
- Pour and bake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add cherry filling: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the top of the cooled cake.
- Optional whipped cream topping: If using, beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar in a bowl until stiff peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the cherry layer and around the sides of the cake.
- Decorate with ganache and cherries: Drizzle the dark chocolate ganache over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Garnish with fresh cherries for a beautiful finish.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs and use plant-based milk and cream alternatives.
- Ensure the boiling water is added carefully to avoid splashing; it helps activate the cocoa flavor and keeps the cake moist.
- If you do not want to use whipped cream, the cake is delicious with just cherry filling and ganache.
- Fresh cherries can be replaced with maraschino cherries or additional cherry pie filling for garnish.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before adding toppings to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Black Forest Cake, Chocolate Cherry Cake, Moist Chocolate Cake, Cherry Pie Filling Cake, Dark Chocolate Ganache Cake
