🍫✨ Black Forest Dream Chocolate Cherry Cake

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Ultra-moist chocolate cake layered with juicy cherries, silky ganache, and crowned with fresh cherries.

This Black Forest Dream Chocolate Cherry Cake is the ultimate showstopper dessert. It features a deeply rich chocolate cake, a glossy homemade cherry filling, and a luscious chocolate ganache that drips beautifully over the edges. Finished with fresh cherries on top, this cake is pure indulgence for chocolate lovers and cherry fans alike.

Perfect for birthdays, holidays, Valentine’s Day, or whenever you want a dramatic, bakery-style cake.

🧁 Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder

  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 2 large eggs

  • ½ cup vegetable oil

  • 1 cup buttermilk

  • 1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Cherry Filling

  • 3 cups cherries (fresh or frozen)

  • ½ cup sugar

  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

  • 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • ¾ cup heavy cream

  • 1 tbsp butter (for shine)

For the Topping

  • Fresh cherries

  • Extra ganache for drizzling

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the Chocolate Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line and grease two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans.
Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add eggs, oil, and buttermilk; mix until combined.
Add hot coffee and vanilla — the batter will be thin.
Divide between pans.
Bake for 25–30 minutes.
Cool completely.

2. Make the Cherry Filling

Combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
Simmer for 5–7 minutes until cherries release juices.
Add cornstarch slurry and cook until thick and glossy.
Stir in vanilla.
Cool fully before using.

3. Make the Ganache

Heat heavy cream until steaming (do not boil).
Pour over chocolate chips and let sit 1 minute.
Stir until smooth and silky.
Stir in butter for extra shine.
Let cool slightly to thicken.

4. Assemble the Cake

Place the first cake layer on a plate.
Spread a generous amount of cherry filling.
Place the second cake layer on top.
Pour ganache over the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.
Spoon extra cherry filling into the center.
Top with fresh cherries for the perfect Black Forest look.

5. Chill & Serve

Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes for clean slices.
Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.

⭐ Flavor Notes

  • 🍒 Deep, jammy, glossy cherries

  • 🍫 Ultra-rich, moist chocolate cake

  • ✨ Smooth, shiny ganache

  • 😍 Gorgeous bakery-style presentation

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use canned cherry pie filling instead of homemade?

Yes! It’s a great shortcut. Homemade has a fresher, richer flavor, but pie filling works too.

2. Can I make the cake layers ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can bake the cake layers 1–2 days ahead and store them wrapped in the fridge.

3. What if I don’t have buttermilk?

Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar. Let sit 5 minutes — instant buttermilk.

4. Can I use dark chocolate for the ganache?

Yes — it will be richer and slightly less sweet.

5. Why add hot coffee to chocolate cake?

Coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.

6. Can I make this into a sheet cake or cupcakes?

Yes. Bake in a 9×13 pan or divide into cupcakes and adjust baking time accordingly.

7. How do I keep the cherry filling from soaking into the cake?

Make sure the filling is fully cooled and thickened before spreading.

 

 

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