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Elegant Chocolate Forest Cake

A rich and moist chocolate cake layered with cherry filling and whipped cream, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

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
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
For the Cherry Filling
  • 2 cups pitted cherries, fresh or canned
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Whipped Cream Frosting
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (about 175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla—mix until well combined.
  4. Slowly stir in the boiling water until the batter is well blended.
  5. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Make the Cherry Filling
  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
  2. Stir frequently, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer until it thickens (about 5-7 minutes). Set aside to cool.
Whip the Cream
  1. In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
Assemble Your Cake
  1. Once your chocolate cakes are completely cool, level them using a serrated knife if needed.
  2. Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread a generous layer of the cherry filling, then top with a thick layer of whipped cream.
  3. Carefully add the second layer of cake on top and cover the entire cake with whipped cream. Decorate with more cherries or chocolate shavings if desired.

Notes

Layering Magic: Feel free to use additional cherry filling if you have extra. Store any left-over cake in the fridge, in an airtight container. Slice and freeze individual pieces for later enjoyment.