Name: Roasted Cherry Black Forest Birthday Cake
Prep time: 1 h 40 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: PT-489287H31M12S
Ingredients: For the Cake (Double Batch – Two 9-inch layers); 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; 4 cups sugar; 1 ½ cups dark cocoa powder (Hershey’s Special Dark recommended); 3 teaspoons baking powder; 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda; 1 ½ teaspoons salt; 6 large eggs; 2 cups whole milk; 1 cup toasted sesame oil (La Tourangelle preferred); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons chocolate balsamic vinegar; ½ cup Kirsch (cherry brandy); Roasted Cherry Filling; 4 cups pitted cherries (fresh or frozen); 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon chocolate balsamic vinegar; ¼ cup Kirsch; Whipped Cream Frosting; 3 cups heavy cream, chilled; ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; To Decorate; Whole cherries (fresh or maraschino); Dark chocolate curls or shavings

Roasted Cherry Black Forest Birthday Cake

Print Recipe

Rich, chocolaty, and layered with roasted cherries and whipped cream, this Black Forest cake gets a stunning birthday makeover. Elevated with toasted sesame oil and chocolate balsamic, this double-layer beauty is perfect for milestone moments or when you simply want to wow the crowd.

Author: annareynolds
Prep Time: 40 mins
chill: 1 hour
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Yield: 16–20 slices 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake (Double Batch – Two 9-inch layers)

4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

4 cups sugar

1 ½ cups dark cocoa powder (Hershey’s Special Dark recommended)

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons salt

6 large eggs

2 cups whole milk

1 cup toasted sesame oil (La Tourangelle preferred)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons chocolate balsamic vinegar

½ cup Kirsch (cherry brandy)

Roasted Cherry Filling

4 cups pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon chocolate balsamic vinegar

¼ cup Kirsch

Whipped Cream Frosting

3 cups heavy cream, chilled

½ cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

To Decorate

Whole cherries (fresh or maraschino)

Dark chocolate curls or shavings

Instructions

1. Roast the Cherries
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cherries with sugar and balsamic. Spread on a lined baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes until syrupy and slightly caramelized. Stir in Kirsch, then cool completely.

2. Bake the Cake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round pans.
In a large bowl, sift flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sesame oil, vanilla, and vinegar. Gradually mix wet into dry until smooth. Stir in Kirsch.
Divide batter evenly into pans and bake 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks.

3. Make the Whipped Cream
Beat chilled cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Chill until ready to use.

4. Assemble the Cake
Slice each cake in half for four layers. Place the first layer on a serving plate. Brush lightly with reserved cherry syrup, then spread whipped cream and spoon roasted cherries over it. Repeat with all layers. Frost the top and sides with remaining whipped cream.

5. Decorate
Top with whole cherries and a generous dusting of chocolate shavings. Chill 1–2 hours before slicing.

Nutrition

Calories: 480 per slice

Find it online: https://thecomfortspoon.com/roasted-cherry-black-forest-birthday-cake/