Black Forest Cake

Growing up in Cebu, when we have gatherings especially birthdays, I would always remember having black forest cake. Before I never liked cherries, we had the one in a small bottle and for me, it always tasted like medicine (in my opinion). But the cake was always good from Red Ribbon or Goldilocks. Nowadays, there are a lot more options like Chedz, Leona’s and etc.

Anyway, I made this Black Forest cake for my brother-in-law’s birthday, it was hot summer in July. At first, I was worried the cake will melt! since the frosting was only whipped cream and a bit of powdered sugar. I’m glad everyone loved it! my two nephews even loved it. What I did with the cherries was I pitted them and cooked it for a few minutes in a small sauce pan and then I let it cool for half an hour and then refrigerate. If you want to refrigerate it overnight, you get depth of the cherry flavor even without the Kirsch/cherry liquor.

I made the cake that morning and had time to cool and frosted it. I also used dark chocolate bar, any brand you like will do. To cover the cake with shaved chocolate. It was delicious!

Ingredients:

Chocolate Cake

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup sugar

Whipped Frosting

• 3 cups heavy cream
• 3 tsp. vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Dark or Milk Chocolate – shaved chocolate and lightly press unto side of the cake or garnish it however you would like it.

Pre heat oven at 350 degrees. Have your Stand mixer or hand mixer ready, add wet ingredients then mix in dry ingredients, mix until well blended. I used 2 8 inch round pans with parchment paper. Pour batter into individual cake pans evenly. Bake for 25 – 35 mins. or until done. Let cake cool before adding the whipped frosting.

Frosting: add heavy cream into a clean mixing bowl, using wire whisk attachment – whisk until soft peaks then slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla. you can add more powdered sugar if you want it more sweeter. Assemble cake, top the first layer with frosting then add the second layer and cover the cake with the frosting. Add shaved chocolate and top with fresh cherries on top and it’s time to taste it!

If you’re serving it later or the next day, refrigerate it and prepare it at room temp. 15 mins. before serving.

Enjoy baking!