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Mile-High Black Forest Cake

Ashley Manila
This beautiful black forest cake features ultra moist chocolate cake layers, homemade cherry syrup, and freshly whipped cream frosting. Use a block of chocolate to create chocolate shavings, then decorate the top of the cake with dark chocolate and fresh cherries. You can bake this cake a few hours before you need it and refrigerate until ready to serve!
4.94 from 31 votes
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Inactive Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Baking, Cake, Chocolate, German
Servings 1 -9" inch Layer Cake

Ingredients
 

For the Chocolate Cake:

  • 1 cup (199g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (213g) light brown sugar packed
  • 1 and 3/4 cups (210) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (85g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk room temperature
  • 1 cup (227g) sour cream room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (57ml) whole milk room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (113ml) canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon (14ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (227ml) freshly brewed coffee hot

Cherry Filling:

  • 3 cups (480g) fresh or frozen cherries
  • 3 tablespoons (42ml) Kirsch liqueur
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

  • 4 cups (680ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (114g) confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (85g) mini chocolate chips for decoration, optional
  • 4 ounces dark chocolate grated, for decoration, optional
  • 1/2 cup (80g) fresh cherries for decoration, optional

For the Chocolate Glaze:

  • 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
  • 2/3 cup (152ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons kirsch optional

Instructions
 

For the Chocolate Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°(F). Generously spray two 9-inch round baking pans with non-stick baking spray and set them aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, combine both sugars, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt on low until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Set aside.
  • In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolk, sour cream, milk, oil and vanilla, beating until well combined.
  • Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until just incorporated. Carefully add in hot coffee (or water) and continue beating until completely combined; about 1 minute. The batter will quite thin.
  • Divide batter evenly into prepared pans.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until wooden toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
  • Cool cakes for 10 minutes in the pan (placed on top of a cooling rack) before removing from pans and transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Cherry Filling:

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer, stirring almost constantly, until the mixture starts to thicken, about 6 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low and cook for another 2 minutes before removing from the heat. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and cool completely before using.

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

  • In a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the cream on medium-low, slowly adding in the confectioners' sugar. Add in the vanilla. Then increase to medium-high speed and whip until stiff peaks form.

For the Chocolate Glaze:

  • Finely chop the chocolate and place it in a small heatproof bowl. Set aside. 
  • Warm the cream over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Add in the espresso powder and whisk smooth.
  • Pour the cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for 1 minute, then whisk smooth. Whisk in the kirsch, if using. Cool for 5 minutes. 

Assembly:

  • Using a long, serrated knife, slice each cake in half horizontally, so that you have 4 even layers.
  • Place one cake layer on a large plate or cake stand. Spread 1/2 cup of the whipped cream on top of the cake, then top with 1/3 cup of the cherry filling. Top with another cake layer, and repeat the layering process, ending with the last cake layer on top.
  • Spread all remaining whipped cream frosting over the top and sides of the cake. I
  • Slowly pour the glaze over the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Then sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.
  • Allow the cake to set in the fridge for 2o minutes before slicing. Then serve, or store, in the refrigerator, for up to 1 hour. 
  • Right before serving, line the edge of the cake with fresh cherries, and top with chocolate shavings. 

Notes

  1. Hot water may be used in place of the coffee. Be sure it's freshly boiled. 
  2. Liquified coconut oil or vegetable oil may be used in place of canola oil. If using liquified coconut oil, be sure it's not too hot before adding it to the batter.
  3. Cherry juice may be used in place of the kirsch. 
  4. Do not use dutch-process cocoa for this recipe. 
  5. If you have extra whipped cream, or want to make extra for decoration, you can scrape it into a piping bag and pipe whipped cream stars around the cake. 
  6. This is a delicate cake by nature. It will hold its shape, but it's not the most structured cake. If you prefer more structure, use a cream cheese frosting or buttercream. 
  7. This cake is best served within an hour of making, but will keep, stored in the fridge, for about 6 hours before it starts loosing volume due to the nature of whipped cream. 
Keyword cake, chocolate cake, black forest cake
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