Description
Mini Black Forest Layer Cakes are delightful, moist chocolate sponge cakes filled with whipped cream and cherry filling, topped with chocolate shavings and fresh cherries.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup hot coffee (or hot water)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups cherry pie filling or homemade
- Optional: 1–2 tbsp Kirsch (traditional)
- 1 ½ cups cold heavy cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: 2 tbsp cream cheese for stability
- Fresh cherries (with stems for the perfect look)
- Chocolate shavings or curls
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and prepare a sheet pan or two round cake tins lined with parchment.
- Whisk together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add egg, milk, oil, and vanilla, then mix until smooth.
- Pour in hot coffee slowly; the batter will be thin.
- Spread the batter evenly on the baking pan and bake for 12–15 minutes until it springs back to the touch. Let cool completely.
- Use a 2.5–3 inch round cutter to cut out 12 small circles; each cake will use 2 circles (or 3 for extra tall cakes).
- Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Add cream cheese for stability if desired.
- Place one chocolate circle at the bottom, pipe or spoon a thick layer of whipped cream, and add cherry filling.
- Add the second sponge circle, pipe more whipped cream on top, sprinkle with chocolate shavings, and place 3–4 fresh cherries on top.
Notes
- Ensure the cakes are completely cooled before assembling.
- For a more intense cherry flavor, consider using Kirsch in the cherry filling.
- These cakes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cake
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg