Black Forest-Inspired Cake with Cherries and Cream

Name: Black Forest-Inspired Cake with Cherries and Cream
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 10 slices
Cuisine: German-inspired
Ingredients: 250 g all-purpose flour; 75 g unsweetened cocoa powder; 250 g sugar; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 whole large eggs; 240 ml whole milk; 120 ml neutral oil; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 180 ml hot coffee or hot water; 400 ml cold heavy cream; 40 g icing sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract for cream; 350 g pitted cherries, fresh or thawed; 2 tbsp cherry syrup or juice, optional

Chocolate sponge, whipped cream and cherries come together in a Black Forest-inspired layer cake.

By Hez ArslanUpdated October 5, 2026

Total 1 hr 30 minMakes 10 slices

Jump to Recipe

This Black Forest-inspired cake pairs two cocoa-rich layers with whipped cream and cherries. The source listed cherries only as decoration and did not include the fruit layer that defines this style, so the recipe makes that filling explicit. Bake until a tester comes out with a few moist crumbs, cool the layers fully, and assemble shortly before serving for the best texture. Heat oven to 180°C (350°F); grease and line two 20-cm (8-inch) round pans. Whisk flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder and salt; whisk eggs, milk, oil and vanilla separately, then combine and stir in hot coffee. Divide batter between pans and bake 25 to 30 minutes until a tester has a few moist crumbs; cool completely.

Black Forest-Inspired Cake with Cherries and Cream

How to tell when it is ready

Layer cake with cherries and cream, frost the top and sides, and chill 30 minutes before slicing.

Tips

Heat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Whisk flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder and salt.
Divide batter between pans and bake 25 to 30 minutes until a tester has a few moist crumbs.
Beat cold cream with icing sugar and vanilla to medium-stiff peaks.

Troubleshooting

If cream softens, chill the cake before slicing.
If layers dome, level them only after fully cooling.

Substitutions

Use frozen pitted cherries, thawed and drained.
Use a neutral oil instead of melted butter in the sponge.

Variations

Use raspberries instead of cherries for a different fruit layer.
Add a little kirsch to the cherries for an adult variation.

Serving suggestions

Serve chilled with extra cherries.
Add chocolate shavings on top.
Pair with coffee or black tea.
Cut small slices because the cake is rich.

Make ahead

Prepare the measured ingredients in advance. Refrigerate assembled cake, covered, for up to 3 days; keep it chilled until serving.

Storage

Refrigerate assembled cake, covered, for up to 3 days; keep it chilled until serving.

Food safety

Keep whipped cream and assembled cake refrigerated; do not leave dairy desserts at room temperature over 2 hours.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know black forest-inspired chocolate cake is ready?

Layer cake with cherries and cream, frost the top and sides, and chill 30 minutes before slicing.

How should I store black forest-inspired chocolate cake?

Refrigerate assembled cake, covered, for up to 3 days; keep it chilled until serving.

Serve chilled with extra cherries. Refrigerate assembled cake, covered, for up to 3 days; keep it chilled until serving.

About the author

Hez Arslan

Hez Arslan owns feastdelights.com and also writes practical recipes for everyday home cooking, from familiar Ukrainian dishes to meals inspired by kitchens around the world. His clear, step-by-step guidance helps home cooks approach each recipe with confidence.

Black Forest-Inspired Cake with Cherries and Cream