If you have been searching for a show-stopping dessert that combines the richness of chocolate, the tart sweetness of cherries, and the lightness of whipped cream, then the Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe is exactly what you need. This delightful cake layers moist, deeply chocolatey cake with luscious cherry filling and fluffy whipped cream to create a towering masterpiece that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for celebrations or just when you want to spoil yourself, this cake brings layers of flavor and texture that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for the Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe are simple pantry staples and fresh components that come together to create extraordinary flavor and texture. Each one plays a crucial role—flour and cocoa set the chocolatey base, cherries add freshness and tang, and whipped cream delivers that dreamy, light finish.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the cake to rise and hold its shape perfectly.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives the cake its rich, deep chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color.
- Baking soda and baking powder: Work together to make the layers wonderfully light and fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances all the chocolate and cherry flavors just right.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake without overpowering the other elements.
- Eggs: Help bind the ingredients and add moisture.
- Buttermilk: Adds a slight tang and keeps the cake tender and moist.
- Vegetable oil: Ensures a soft crumb with richness and moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Boosts all the flavors with a warm, sweet aroma.
- Hot coffee or hot water: Intensifies the chocolate flavor while keeping the batter smooth.
- Pitted dark sweet cherries: Offer a tart contrast and juicy bursts inside the cake.
- Cherry preserves: Add sweetness and density to the cherry filling.
- Cornstarch and water: Thicken the cherry filling for that perfect spreadable consistency.
- Kirsch (optional): A cherry brandy that gives an authentic, boozy cherry flavor punch.
- Heavy whipping cream: Forms the luxurious whipped cream frosting layer.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream without gritty texture.
- Chocolate shavings or curls: Add an elegant garnish and extra chocolate indulgence.
- Extra cherries: For a vibrant, fresh topping finish.
How to Make Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Layers
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing three 8-inch round pans with grease and parchment paper—this helps ensure your layers come out cleanly. In a large bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Separately, beat the wet ingredients: eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth, then stir in hot coffee slowly; the batter will look thin but that’s perfect for a tender crumb. Divide this luscious batter evenly among your pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean when done. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before cooling completely on wire racks.
Step 2: Make the Cherry Filling
While the cakes are baking, crank up the flavor with your cherry filling. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cherries and cherry preserves. Mix cornstarch and water until smooth, then stir this slurry into the cherries. Let everything simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened. If you want to bring this filling to the next level, add a splash of kirsch. Set aside and let cool completely to prevent melting your whipped cream layers later.
Step 3: Whip Up the Cream
Your whipped cream frosting is what makes this cake so heavenly. Using a chilled bowl and beaters, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This perfectly sweet, fluffy cream will hold the whole cake together while giving it that light-as-air texture you want on every bite.
Step 4: Assemble Your Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe
Time to bring it all together! Place your first cake layer on a serving plate, spreading a thick layer of whipped cream on top. Spoon a generous third of the cherry filling over the cream, letting some of that ruby-red goodness peek through. Repeat with the second and third layers, then slather the remaining whipped cream over the top and sides of the cake. For that final touch of decadence and beauty, sprinkle chocolate curls or shavings and garnish with extra cherries. Chill the masterpiece for at least 2 hours to let everything set before slicing and serving.
How to Serve Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes is your chance to make your Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe truly irresistible. Fresh cherries on top add vibrant color and a burst of fresh flavor, while chocolate shavings or curls create a fancy, textured look that screams indulgence. You can also dust a little cocoa powder or sprinkle chopped toasted almonds if you want to get creative with textures.
Side Dishes
This cake is so rich and satisfying that it pairs best with simple sides. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a glass of cold milk can balance the dense chocolate and cherry flavors beautifully. For an adult twist, try serving with a glass of kirsch or a light sparkling wine to cut through the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
If you love putting on a show, try serving this Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe by layering smaller individual cakes or cupcakes using the same components—it turns the cake into a fun, shareable treat. Another idea is to serve upside-down slices with a drizzle of cherry sauce or chocolate ganache for an elegant plating twist that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe can be tightly covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, and the whipped cream will keep the cake moist and flavorful without drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze this cake by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn. When stored properly, it freezes well for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving to preserve the texture of the whipped cream and cherry filling.
Reheating
This cake is best enjoyed chilled, so reheating is not recommended. If you want to soften the whipped cream slightly, let the cake sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing to achieve the perfect texture without melting the layers.
FAQs
Can I use canned cherry pie filling instead of fresh cherries?
Absolutely! While fresh or frozen cherries give a more vibrant and natural flavor, canned cherry pie filling is a convenient substitute that still tastes delicious. Just be aware it’s usually sweeter and softer, so you might want to reduce the additional sugar slightly.
Is kirsch required in the cherry filling?
Kirsch is traditional in Black Forest cake recipes and adds a lovely boozy cherry note, but it is completely optional. If you prefer to keep it non-alcoholic, simply leave it out; the cake will still be delicious.
Can I make this cake vegan or dairy-free?
This particular Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe relies on eggs, buttermilk, and heavy cream, which makes it challenging to make fully vegan without substantial changes. However, you can substitute plant-based milk and egg replacers, and use coconut cream for the whipped topping to experiment with a dairy-free version.
How do I get the whipped cream frosting to hold its shape?
Make sure your heavy cream is very cold before whipping, and beat it until stiff peaks form. For extra stability, you can add a small amount of gelatin or use a stabilized whipped cream recipe to help it hold up better, especially if you plan to make the cake ahead of time.
Why is the hot coffee added to the cake batter?
The hot coffee intensifies the cocoa flavor, making the chocolate taste richer and more complex without making the cake taste like coffee. It also helps create a smooth, thin batter that results in an ultra-moist cake.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the layers of the Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe coming together—the dark chocolate cake, luscious cherry filling, and fluffy whipped cream create a dessert experience that feels both classic and utterly indulgent. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself, this cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas and your guests with happy smiles. So go ahead, whip up this masterpiece and enjoy every heavenly slice!
Print
Mile-High Black Forest Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus at least 2 hours chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Mile-High Black Forest Cake is a decadent German-inspired dessert featuring moist chocolate layers soaked with hot coffee, layered with a luscious homemade cherry filling, and frosted with light whipped cream. The combination of rich cocoa cake, tart cherries, and fluffy whipped cream creates a classic and indulgent treat perfect for celebrations or special occasions.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)
For the Cherry Filling
- 2 cups pitted dark sweet cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon kirsch (optional)
For the Whipped Cream Frosting
- 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Assembly
- Chocolate shavings or curls (for garnish)
- Extra cherries (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar to combine the dry ingredients evenly. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Slowly pour in the hot coffee, mixing until the batter is smooth and slightly thin.
- Bake the Cake Layers: Evenly divide the batter among the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven, let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer the cakes onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Make the Cherry Filling: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the pitted cherries and cherry preserves. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth, then add this slurry to the cherry mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the filling thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in kirsch if using. Allow to cool completely before assembling.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat to prevent curdling.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread an even layer of whipped cream over the cake, then evenly spoon one-third of the cherry filling on top. Repeat this layering process with the second and third cake layers. Once stacked, use the remaining whipped cream to frost the top and sides of the entire cake.
- Garnish and Chill: Decorate the top of the cake with chocolate shavings or curls and extra cherries for a pretty finish. Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow all the flavors to meld and for easier slicing.
Notes
- For cleaner, easier slices, chill the cake overnight before serving.
- If fresh or frozen cherries are unavailable, canned cherry pie filling can be used, though fresh filling offers a richer taste.
- To prepare the cake ahead of time, consider using stabilized whipped cream frosting to maintain texture and prevent weeping.
