Name: Black Forest Cake
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 8 slices
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1.25 cups granulated sugar; 1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder; 1 tbsp baking powder; 0.5 tsp salt; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter; 0.5 cup neutral oil; 1.5 cups whole milk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 egg whites; amaretto; 0.5 lb fresh cherries; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 pinch salt; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 0.5 tsp vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons amaretto; 1.5 cups cold heavy cream; 0.25 cup granulated sugar

My take on the iconic Black Forest cake consists of a rich, tender chocolate sponge soaked with amaretto and topped with whipped cream, a sweet cherry filling, and chocolate shavings. Its easy method and simple, single layer makes it the ideal dessert to serve at summer dinner parties.

Dessert

2 h

American

Sloane’s Table

March 11, 2026

Atsloanestable.com

From the Cook

1/4

Black Forest Cake

Sloane’s Table Verified

Atsloanestable.com

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Black Forest Cake

Chocolate Cake Layer

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 ¼ cups granulated sugar

1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 tbsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

8 tablespoons unsalted butter

½ cup neutral oil

1 ½ cups whole milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 egg whites

amarettofor brushing

Cherry Topping

½ lb fresh cherries

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 pinch salt

1 tbsp cornstarch

½ tsp vanilla extract

2 teaspoons amaretto

Whipped Cream

1 ½ cups cold heavy cream

¼ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

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Chocolate Cake Layer

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9" springform pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

Cut up the butter into small cubes and add to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until it resembles wet sand.

Add the oil, whole milk, and vanilla, and mix until just combined.

In a separate medium bowl, add the egg whites. Use an electric hand mixer to whip them until medium peaks form.

Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter with a rubber spatula until just combined.

Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.

Bake the cake for about 50 minutes to 1 hour or until the cakes start to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

While the cake is still warm, remove the outside of the springform pan and use a serrated knife to trim the top of the cake, creating a flat layer. Immediately brush amaretto on the cake all over. Allow the cake to cool completely before decorating.

Cherry Topping

In a small saucepan, combine the cherries, sugars, and salt. Place over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes or until the cherries start to soften and release their juices.

Add the cornstarch and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the juices have thickened. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla and amaretto.

Place the saucepan in the fridge for a few minutes to cool. Alternatively, pour the cherry filling into an airtight container and chill in the fridge overnight.

Whipped Cream

In a large bowl, add the cold heavy cream and sugar. Use an electric mixer to whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Careful not to over-whip the cream, as it can quickly split and become grainy!

Assemble

Place the cake layer on a cake stand and top with the whipped cream. Arrange the cherry filling in the center, then top with more fresh cherries and chocolate shavings.

Bite Tutorial

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Dutch-Process Cocoa Blooming 🍫
Bloom your Dutch-process cocoa powder in hot water or milk before mixing into the batter to intensify chocolate flavor and ensure even distribution throughout the sponge.
Whipped Cream Stability Secret 🥄
Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to your cold heavy cream before whipping to create a more stable, longer-lasting topping that won't weep or collapse during serving.
Amaretto Soaking Technique 🍒
Brush the warm chocolate sponge with diluted amaretto (1:1 ratio with water) rather than pure liqueur to prevent over-soaking while ensuring deep, balanced flavor penetration.
Egg White Meringue Peak Precision 🥚
Whip egg whites to stiff peaks but stop before they become grainy; fold gently into batter in three additions to maintain maximum lift and create a tender, airy crumb structure.
Fresh Cherry Maceration Timing ⏰
Toss fresh cherries with brown sugar 30 minutes before assembly to release their natural juices, creating a syrupy filling that complements the amaretto-soaked cake without adding extra liquid.