**Chocolate Forest Cake** is an indulgent dessert that combines rich chocolate cake layers with a lush, forest-inspired twist. Think of it as a more decadent take on the classic Black Forest cake, with extra layers of chocolate and cream. This cake has a delicious balance of sweet, creamy filling and a hint of fruitiness, topped with fresh cherries, chocolate shavings, and perhaps even a touch of nature-inspired decoration.
Here’s how to make a **Chocolate Forest Cake**:
### **Chocolate Forest Cake Recipe**
**Ingredients:**
*For the chocolate cake:*
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or whole milk)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) boiling water or hot coffee (for rich flavor)
*For the filling:*
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 jar (about 400g) cherry pie filling or 1 1/2 cups fresh cherries (pitted and halved)
- 2 tablespoons kirsch or cherry liqueur (optional)
*For the decoration:*
- Fresh cherries (for garnish)
- Chocolate shavings or curls
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
### **Instructions:**
#### 1. **Make the chocolate cake:**
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, or line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Slowly add the boiling water or hot coffee to the batter, mixing until smooth. The batter will be quite thin, which is normal.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
#### 2. **Prepare the filling:**
- In a large bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
- Set aside a small amount of whipped cream for decorating the top and sides of the cake.
- If you're using fresh cherries, macerate them by placing them in a bowl and sprinkling them with sugar. If you like, you can also drizzle them with kirsch or cherry liqueur for an added flavor kick. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes.
#### 3. **Assemble the cake:**
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, slice each layer in half horizontally to create four layers of cake.
- Place one layer of cake on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of whipped cream on top.
- Add a layer of cherries or cherry pie filling over the whipped cream.
- Place the second layer of cake on top and repeat the process: whipped cream, cherries, and then another cake layer.
- Continue this with the remaining layers of cake, finishing with a top layer of whipped cream.
#### 4. **Decorate the cake:**
- Spread the remaining whipped cream over the top and sides of the cake for a smooth finish.
- Garnish with fresh cherries, chocolate shavings or curls, and a few mint leaves for an added touch of elegance.
- For an extra pop, you can dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar.
#### 5. **Serve:**
- Slice and serve immediately, or refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors meld together.
### **Tips:**
- If you want to enhance the cherry flavor, consider using fresh cherries soaked in cherry liqueur or juice for extra depth.
- The cake can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge, just add the final decoration just before serving.
- For added richness, you can drizzle a bit of chocolate ganache over the top of the whipped cream before adding the cherries and chocolate shavings.
### **Enjoy:**
This **Chocolate Forest Cake** is a show-stopping dessert perfect for any special occasion, combining rich chocolate, fluffy cream, and sweet cherries for a dessert that’s both decadent and refreshing. Each slice is a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a treat everyone will love!
#lovealletherecipes
#recipes
#dessert