Are you craving a decadent Black Forest cake but intimidated by the thought of baking from scratch? Fear not! This easy Black Forest cake recipe uses a cake mix as a base, making it surprisingly simple to create this classic dessert without sacrificing flavor or that signature rich chocolate taste. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this quick and delicious homemade treat – perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just a spontaneous sweet treat. It's one of the best recipes for a simple yet elegant dessert!
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix
- Ingredients specified on the cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, and water)
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
For the Filling:
- 1 (8 ounce) container of whipped topping, thawed
- 1/2 cup cherry pie filling
For the Ganache:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Kirsch (cherry liqueur) – optional, but highly recommended!
For the Garnish:
- Maraschino cherries
Instructions:
Baking the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix box. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Prepare the cake batter according to the instructions on the cake mix box, stirring in the chocolate chips.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for the time specified on the cake mix box, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Assembling the Cake:
- Once the cakes are completely cool, level the tops with a serrated knife if necessary.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
- Spread half of the whipped topping evenly over the cake layer.
- Top with half of the cherry pie filling.
- Repeat with the second cake layer, whipped topping, and remaining cherry pie filling.
Making the Ganache:
- Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
- Remove from heat and pour over the chopped chocolate.
- Let it sit for a minute, then whisk until smooth and glossy.
- Stir in the Kirsch (if using).
- Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, letting it drizzle down the sides.
Garnishing and Serving:
- Garnish the top of the cake with maraschino cherries.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the ganache to set.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate cake mix.
- If you don't have Kirsch, you can substitute with a teaspoon of almond extract or vanilla extract.
- Feel free to add other fruits to the filling, such as raspberries or blueberries.
- To make this a truly from-scratch cake, try substituting a homemade chocolate cake recipe for the boxed mix.
- For a lighter cake, use a sugar-free whipped topping and reduce the amount of cherry pie filling.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. For a more precise nutritional breakdown, use a nutrition calculator and input your specific ingredients.
This easy Black Forest cake recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a classic dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. It's perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike, offering delicious results with minimal effort. Enjoy!