Chocolate Forest Cake 🍒

Chocolate Forest Cake 🍒

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Cooling Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: ~2 hours 15 minutes
• Servings: 10–12
• Perfect For: Birthdays, holidays, or a romantic dessert

🛒 Ingredients

• For the Chocolate Sponge Cake:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup whole milk

• For the Cherry Filling:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• For the Whipped Cream:

• 2 cups heavy cream, cold
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• For Decoration:

• Dark chocolate curls
• Optional: extra cherries for topping

📖 Instructions

1. Prepare the Chocolate Sponge Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, sift and mix flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla.

Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with milk, starting and ending with the dry mix. Mix until just combined.

Divide the batter between pans and bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Make the Cherry Filling

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cherries and sugar. Cook until cherries release juices (about 5–7 minutes).

Mix cornstarch and water, then stir into cherry mixture. Cook until thickened.

Stir in lemon juice, remove from heat, and cool completely.

3. Prepare the Whipped Cream

In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Don’t overwhip.

4. Assemble the Cake

Slice each cake horizontally to create four even layers.

Place one layer on a serving plate and spread a thin layer of cherry filling.

Repeat with remaining layers.

Frost the entire cake with whipped cream, smoothing out with a spatula.

5. Decorate

Top with dark chocolate curls and extra cherries, if desired.

Chill until ready to serve for best flavor and texture.

🎉 Serve & Enjoy!

This Chocolate Forest Cake is a stunning centerpiece dessert with luscious layers of cocoa sponge, sweet-tart cherries, and fluffy whipped cream — a delightful twist on the traditional Black Forest cake