I have had a lot of black forest cakes in my life; especially since this happens to be my dad’s favorite cake so I and my sisters growing up, were quite regularly exposed to a bevy of cake treats as a side benefit of my dad’s sweet tooth. In spite of my egg aversion even back then, it was too much to ask for a child to resist the lure of the deliciously decorated cakes he brought home. So I would allow myself to enjoy a bit of cake while suppressing the urge to gag (because of the egg, not because I didn’t enjoy the taste…weird I know). Once I came to discover that I could bake without eggs, I inevitably had to redeem my childhood nostalgia and now I can confidently say that I have finally accomplished the ultimate black forest cake without eggs. I am open to being re-impressed by myself and others, but I can honestly say with some amount of confidence, that it’s going to be difficult to beat this eggless black forest cake. Maybe one day in the future I will claim the title of “bestest” black forest cake ever, but for now, this moist chocolate cake with a sweet cherry filling, frosted with whipped cream and real cherries on top literally takes the cake (pun definitely intended) in moistness and supreme dessert decadence!
I am sharing this recipe in honor of my dad since like I said earlier, this forest cake is my dad’s favorite. He always got black forest cake (and white forest sometimes) for any celebration, birthday, or chill day we had at home growing up, and it was an absolute treat. The cake of my childhood looked nothing like mine though; it was decorated with glazed berries, and was filled with maraschino cherries. Nostalgia is a usually hard master to please but even without eggs, this black forest cake nailed the taste and consistency of my childhood memories so I know you’ll definitely love it as much as I enjoyed making it!
How to Make an Eggless Black Forest Cake
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prep and Bake Sponge Cake
In a bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisk together and set aside.
In a different bowl, whisk almond milk, sugar, oil and vanilla extract.
Combine the wet and the dry ingredients thoroughly with a whisk until there are no lumps (be careful not to over mix).
Pour hot coffee over the cake mixture and whisk until the batter is homogeneous.
Split the cake mixture into two 8 inch cake pans, and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the pan comes out clean.
Prepare Cherry Filling
While the cake is in the oven, heat up pitted cherries and sugar in a sauce pot on low- medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
The cherry filling should have some syrupy juice and should not be jammy. Allow to cool completely before using.
Prepare Whipped Cream Frosting
Once the cake sponge and the cherry filling are completely cooled, prepare the whipped cream frosting by beating the frosting in a mixer or with a hand mixer until the cream starts to get frothy.
At this stage, gradually add in powdered sugar and continue whisking until the consistency becomes thick enough to spread. Be careful not to over mix as the mixture will turn to butter.
Assemble the Cake
To assemble the cake, top one of the cakes with the cooked cherries, reserving of the syrup. Cover the cherries with some whipped cream, and gently place the other cake on top of it.
Drizzle some of the syrup on top of the second cake, and cover the cake with the rest of the whipped cream.
On the side of the cake, gently pat on the grated chocolate, and top with some fresh cherries if you please.
Enjoy my recipe! And check out my moist and delicious coconut caramel cake if you’re feeling extra cheeky! I promise not to tell!
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Eggless Black Forest Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the sponge
- 400 g about 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 40 g about 1/2 cup dutch process cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon adds a little interesting taste to your cake, you may omit it however
- 1 1/2 cups almond milk
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil a neutral tasting oil like canola will work
- 1/2 cup hot black coffee
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the cherry filling
- 3 cups of pitted dark cherries fresh or frozen
- 1 cup sugar
For the Whipped Frosting
- 24 oz 3 cups cold heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 oz of dark chocolate grated
Optional
- A handful of fresh dark cherries
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisk together and set aside.
- In a different bowl, whisk the almond milk, sugar, oil and vanilla extract (be careful not to add in the coffee yet).
- Combine the wet and the dry ingredients thoroughly with a whisk until there are no lumps (be careful not to over mix).
- Pour the hot coffee over the cake mixture and whisk until the batter is homogeneous.
- Split the cake mixture into two 8 inch cake pans, and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the pan comes out clean.
- While the cake is in the oven, heat up the pitted cherries and sugar in a sauce pot on low- medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- The cherry filling should have some syrupy juice and should not be jammy. Allow to cool completely before using.
- Once the cake sponge and the cherry filling are completely cooled, prepare the whipped cream frosting by beating the frosting in a mixer or with a hand mixer until the cream starts to get frothy.
- At this stage, gradually add in the powdered sugar and continue whisking until the consistency becomes thick enough to spread. Be careful not to over mix as the mixture will turn to butter.
- To assemble the cake, top one of the cakes with the cooked cherries, reserving of the syrup. Cover the cherries with some whipped cream, and gently place the other cake on top of it.
- Drizzle some of the syrup on top of the second cake, and cover the cake with the rest of the whipped cream.
- On the side of the cake, gently pat on the grated chocolate, and top with some fresh cherries if you please.
Notes
Be careful when assembling this cake, it is super moist!!
To get the best whipped frosting, freeze the whisk and the bowl used to whip the frosting a couple of minutes before whipping.
5 Comments
Osaze
September 10, 2017 at 8:03 amI’d love to try this for my birthday instead of having store bought.
Ms. Yum
September 11, 2017 at 9:49 amStore bought does not compare to this at all. Plus you know everything that goes into it
Lisa
November 28, 2018 at 7:39 pmI will like to order this Black Forest cake for Christmas
Lois
January 8, 2019 at 9:13 amHey Lisa! I am sorry for just getting back to this comment as I had a very eventful past couple of months. If you are in the DMV area and are interested I would still be happy to make this for you.
Jas Kay
October 21, 2020 at 8:26 amExcellent receipe and can I possibly get measurements in gram? Also what cup size did you use?