Luxurious Black Forest Cake

This indulgent Black Forest Cake is a decadent dessert made with layers of moist chocolate cake, sweet cherry pie filling, and rich whipped cream, topped with chocolate chips for a perfect finishing touch. It’s a perfect treat for any special occasion or when you're in the mood for something truly luxurious!

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Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 3/4 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

For the Filling and Frosting:

• 2 cups cherry pie filling (you can use store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup heavy cream (for whipping)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (for decoration)

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Instructions:

1. Make the Chocolate Cake:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
• In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix everything together using an electric mixer or a whisk until smooth and well combined.
• Gradually pour in the boiling water, mixing until the batter becomes thin (this is normal, and it will create a moist cake).
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
• Once done, remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely.

2. Prepare the Whipped Cream:

• In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat, or the cream could turn into butter.
• Set the whipped cream aside in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble the cake.

3. Assemble the Cake:

• Once the cakes have completely cooled, use a serrated knife to carefully cut each cake in half horizontally, so you have four layers in total.
• Place the first layer of cake on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of cherry pie filling over the top of the cake layer.
• Add a layer of whipped cream on top of the cherries, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
• Repeat the process with the next two layers of cake, cherries, and whipped cream, finishing with a layer of whipped cream on top of the final layer of cake.
• For decoration, top the cake with the remaining cherry pie filling and sprinkle with chocolate chips for an extra touch of indulgence.

4. Chill and Serve:

• Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the layers to set and the flavors to meld together.
• Slice and serve this luxurious treat, and enjoy!

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Tips for a Perfect Black Forest Cake:

• Homemade Cherry Pie Filling: If you prefer to make your own cherry filling, you can cook fresh or frozen cherries with sugar, a bit of cornstarch, and lemon juice until thickened.
• Chocolate Layers: For a richer flavor, you can brush the layers of cake with a bit of kirsch (cherry brandy) or cherry juice before adding the filling.
• Make it Ahead: This cake can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. In fact, it often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to blend together.

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This Luxurious Black Forest Cake is sure to impress anyone who tries it with its layers of rich chocolate, creamy whipped cream, and delicious cherries. Perfect for celebrations or as an indulgent treat!