Chocolate Forest Cake
Chocolate Forest Cake
Introduction
Chocolate Forest Cake is a delightful dessert that combines rich chocolate flavors with the sweetness of cherries. It’s a perfect treat for birthdays, gatherings, or just because you want something delicious! This cake is not only beautiful but also tasty, making it an impressive dessert to serve to family and friends.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Chocolate Forest Cake is rewarding because it satisfies both your sweet tooth and your cravings for chocolate. The combination of light, fluffy cake, creamy whipped topping, and luscious cherry filling creates a fantastic taste experience. Plus, baking this cake fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma that everyone will love. It’s an ideal cake for any celebration or a simple evening dessert.
How to Make Chocolate Forest Cake
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 jar (24 oz) cherry pie filling
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate shavings (for garnish)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients, and mix until well combined.
- Carefully stir in the boiling water (the batter will be thin).
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once the cakes are cooled, place one layer on a serving plate, spread cherry pie filling over it.
- Top with whipped cream made from whipping the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Place the second cake layer on top, and frost the top and sides with the remaining whipped cream.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and additional cherries if desired.
- Slice and enjoy your Chocolate Forest Cake!
How to Serve Chocolate Forest Cake
Serve Chocolate Forest Cake chilled or at room temperature. You can enjoy it plain, or add extra cherry topping and whipped cream on each slice for a fancier presentation. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
How to Store Chocolate Forest Cake
If you have leftovers, store the cake in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about 3-5 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the cake for up to 2 months. Just wrap it well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer.
Tips to Make Chocolate Forest Cake
- Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature for a better mix.
- Don’t skip the step of greasing and flouring the cake pans; this helps the cake to come out easily.
- For a richer chocolate flavor, try using dark cocoa powder instead of regular cocoa powder.
Variation
You can experiment with flavors by using different fruit fillings like raspberry or strawberry if you prefer. Additionally, adding a hint of espresso powder to the batter can enhance the chocolate flavor.
FAQs
-
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cake layers a day ahead and assemble them when you’re ready to serve. Just store the baked layers tightly wrapped at room temperature. -
What can I use instead of heavy whipping cream?
If you want a lighter option, you can use whipped topping instead of heavy whipping cream. -
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it’s a 1:1 ratio blend that works for baking.
Chocolate Forest Cake
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water Added carefully to the batter.
For the filling and topping
- 1 jar 24 oz cherry pie filling
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate shavings For garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients, and mix until well combined.
- Carefully stir in the boiling water (the batter will be thin).
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
Baking
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
Assembly
- Once the cakes are cooled, place one layer on a serving plate, spread cherry pie filling over it.
- Top with whipped cream made from whipping the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Place the second cake layer on top, and frost the top and sides with the remaining whipped cream.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and additional cherries if desired.
Serving
- Slice and enjoy your Chocolate Forest Cake!
