Looking for an easy chocolate cake recipe to celebrate birthday or other special occasion? Then try this eggless Black Forest cake recipe. It is a moist, chocolaty and decadent cake that is easy to make.
The chocolate sponge cake that I use is an easy eggless one bowl recipe which takes just a few minutes to put together. The cake layers are brushed with cherry syrup, then frosted with sweetened whipped cream and topped with chocolate shavings. A rich chocolate cake that is sure to please everyone.
Table of contents
About the Recipe
I love eggless baking because it is easy and does not require much prepping ahead of time. I am always looking to redo classic egg base recipes into eggless like this pineapple cool cake or this vegan tres leches cake.
Here I have an eggless version of popular Indian Black forest cake. It is basically a chocolate sponge cake generously doused in cherry syrup. Then topped with whipped cream frosting and chocolate shavings.
The eggless chocolate cake recipe needs just one pan and a whisk. It is the same recipe that I use for this eggless chocolate orange cake. This makes a moist, chocolaty cake that is perfect to layered.
Canned maraschino cherries add a nice bright contrast. Frosting is a simple stabilized whipped cream - heavy cream whipped with stabilizer and powdered sugar. I went with a 'naked cake' look because I am not a pro at frosting. But you can frost it traditional way also.
All in all an easy eggless black forest cake that is perfect for even newbie bakers.
Ingredients
For the details of the exact quantities of each ingredient and the list of ingredients needed, check the printable recipe card below.
To make the Black Forest pastry cake layer, you will need:
- all purpose flour - I add ½ cup of whole wheat pastry flour for some added fiber
- granulated sugar
- baking soda and salt
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- non-dairy milk - I love using unsweetened oat or almond milk. But feel free to use your favorite. Dairy milk would also work. Skip milk altogether and use just water.
- unflavored oil - vegetable or canola etc.
- vinegar - white or apple cider vinegar
- vanilla extract
The other ingredients you need are:
- heavy cream - this is sometimes called whipping cream
- whip cream stabilizer - you can sub this with instant vanilla pudding powder
- powdered or confectioners sugar
- vanilla extract
- maraschino cherries
Instructions
For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below.
This black forest eggless cake has 3 components - sponge cake, whipped cream and assembling. Each of these are easy to make. So start with making the cake:
Preheat the oven and grease a 7- or 8-inch round cake pans. Line the the bottom with parchment paper, then grease the parchment as well.
In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Mix well.
Combine wet ingredients in a measuring cup. Add the wet ingredients into the bowl with dry ingredients. Whisk until well combined and there are no pockets of flour anywhere. DO NOT overmix.
Pour the into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 5~10 minutes.
Then carefully flip the pan over a wire rack. Peel off the parchment and let the cake cool completely on the wire rack.
Make whipped cream
Chill the beaters and bowl for at least 30 minutes. Pour the cold whipping cream, confectioners cream and stabilizer and whip until stiff peaks form.
Drain the cherries and reserve the syrup. If you want to add chopped cherries inside the cake, then chop some of them finely for the filling and leave some whole for top garnish.
Carefully cut the cake into 2 equal halves. Level the top, if needed, and set it on the cake stand. Liberally brush the layer with the reserved cherry syrup.
Place a dollop of whipped cream and spread it evenly on the cake with a spatula. If desired, sprinkle the finely chopped cherries on top of the cream.
Gently place the second cake on top of the first. Liberally brush the cake with the reserved cherry syrup. Cover the top with more whipped cream. Since I wanted the naked cake look, I left the sides 'almost' unfrosted.
To make grated chocolate, use a vegetable peeler to grate the chocolate on the top of the cake. Use the remaining whipped cream to make swirls and then top them with the whole cherries.
Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day before cutting and serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Problem with whipped cream is that it to weep or get watery it left out or as it sits. Whipped cream stabilizer by Dr. Oetker Whip It avoids that. It also helps in keeping the peaks on the whipped cream and makes piping on the cake much easier. It keeps well in the fridge for longer without any weeping problems.
Instant vanilla or chocolate flavored pudding powder do the same trick.
The base chocolate cake can be baked up to 1 month in advance. Completely cool it, wrap it in foil or plastic and freeze. Whipped cream can be made 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Cake can be assembled up to 1 day in advance.
Expert Tips
- Add up to ½ cup of whole wheat pastry or barley flour to add fiber to the cake.
- You can use all milk or all water in the recipe. I use a 50:50 ratio.
- Unsweetened oat or almond milk are my favorite. But feel free to use your other non-dairy milks. Dairy milk would also work.
- You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- If you want to make the cake ahead of time:
- The base chocolate cake can be baked up to 1 month in advance. Completely cool it, wrap it in foil or plastic and freeze.
- Whipped cream can be made 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Cake can be assembled up to 1 day in advance.
- When using frozen cakes, leave them on the counter for about an hour to thaw before frosting.
- Place parchment pieces on the cake stand for easy clean up and mess-free look.
You might also like
Here are a few more cake recipes that you might want to try for your next party:
I love hearing from you!! If you’ve tried this and liked it, then don't forget to let me know. Give a star rating and let me know in the comments below. Also tag me in your creations on Instagram @cooks_hideout. I love sharing photos when people make my recipes. You can use the hashtag #cookshideout too.
Eggless Black Forest Cake
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 1½ cups All purpose flour*
- ¾ cups Sugar
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Water
- ½ cup Unsweetened Oat or Almond Milk
- ⅓ cup Oil*
- 1 tablespoon Vinegar*
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
For the Filling and Frosting:
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 2~3 tablespoons Confectioners sugar
- 1 packet Whipping Cream stabilizer* (I use Dr.Oetker Whip it or use 2tbsp Instant Vanilla Pudding powder)
- ½ cup Canned Maraschino Cherries, drained and syrup reserved
- ¼ cup Grated chocolate, for garnish
Instructions
Make the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 7" or 8" round cake pans with cooking spray. Line the the bottom with parchment paper, then grease the parchment as well.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Mix well.
- Combine water and milk in a measuring cup or a small bowl. Warm them until they are quite hot to touch, about 1 minute in the microwave. Add oil, vinegar, vanilla extract to the hot milk mixture and mix well until combined.
- Add the wet ingredients into the bowl with dry ingredients. Whisk until well combined and there are no pockets of flour anywhere. DO NOT overmix.
- Pour the into the prepared baking pan and bake in the oven for 35~40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 5~10 minutes.
- Then carefully flip the pan over a wire rack. Peel off the parchment and let the cake cool completely on the wire rack.
Prep the Cherries:
- Drain the cherries and reserve the syrup. If you want to add chopped cherries inside the cake, then chop some of them finely for the filling and leave some whole for top garnish.
Make Whipped Cream:
- Chill the beaters and bowl for at least 30 minutes.
- Pour the cold whipping cream, confectioners cream and stabilizer and whip until stiff peaks form.
Decorate the Cake:
- Carefully cut the cake into 2 equal halves. Place one of the halves on cake stand. Liberally brush the layer with the reserved cherry syrup.
- Place a dollop of whipped cream and spread it evenly on the cake with a spatula. If desired, sprinkle the finely chopped cherries on top of the cream.
- Gently place the second cake on top of the first. Liberally brush the cake with the reserved cherry syrup. Cover the top with more whipped cream. Since I wanted the naked cake look, I left the sides 'almost' unfrosted.
- To make grated chocolate, use a vegetable peeler to grate the chocolate on the top of the cake. Use the remaining whipped cream to make swirls and then top them with the whole cherries. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day before cutting and serving.
Video
Notes
- Add up to ½ cup of whole wheat pastry or barley flour to add fiber to the cake.
- You can use all milk or all water in the recipe. I use a 50:50 ratio.
- Unsweetened oat or almond milk are my favorite. But feel free to use your other non-dairy milks. Dairy milk would also work.
- Any light flavored oil will work in this recipe. I use canola oil.
- You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- If you want to make the cake ahead of time:
- The base chocolate cake can be baked up to 1 month in advance. Completely cool it, wrap it in foil or plastic and freeze.
- Whipped cream can be made 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Cake can be assembled up to 1 day in advance.
- When using frozen cakes, leave them on the counter for about an hour to thaw before frosting.
- Place parchment pieces on the cake stand for easy clean up and mess-free look.
vaishalisabnani
This cake is perfect for any celebration , the frosting , cherries , chocolate everything in it is tempting me ! It has been one hell of a time since I made a full fledged cake ! Pavani , I would love to have a small slice please .
Varadas Kitchen
Such a beautifully decorated cake! The light frosting makes it perfect for adults and children.
Gayathri Kumar
Wow! That is a perfect looking naked cake. Love it to the core..
Priya
Wish i get a super huge slice of this eggless dark beauty, Black forest cake is my all time favourite and you are tempting me.
harini-jaya
That looks fantastic, Pavani. Wonderful effort!
sapana
Gayatri has wonderful recipes and easy to follow . I always hop over to her space for cake recipes. You have done a wonderful job and the cake looks so stunning.
Suma Gandlur
That is one decadent cake, Pavani. Looks very tempting.
Ramona
This forest gateau looks magnificent and it’s my favourite cake ever. You have inspired me to make it so I’ll have to do that very soon as I really fancy it now. Meanwhile, will you please spare a slice 😋. So delicious! Thank you for the recipe and will try your eggless version. Fabulous!
Leanne
I adore black forest cake! What's not to love, right?! Chocolate and cherries together are perfection. This one looks lovely, and I appreciate that you made it egg-free. Can't wait to give it a try!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
This cake is lovely! I love the flavors of chocolate and cherry. The frosting and layering is so pretty too!