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–+ servings
close up view of chocolate cake with cherries and creamy frosting.
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5 from 1 vote

Black Forest Sheet Cake

The perfect combination of moist chocolate cake, tangy cherries, and whipped cream frosting. Beautiful and elegant without too much fuss.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Chilling time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, european
Keyword: black forest sheet cake, cherry chocolate sheet cake
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 405kcal
Author: Katie

Equipment

  • 13 x 9 baking dish
  • Hand mixer

Ingredients

For the sheet cake

  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2¼ teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 cup chopped frozen black cherries

For the Whipped Cream Frosting

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Garnish

  • fresh or frozen black cherries
  • shaved chocolate

Instructions

  • Prep. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Then, lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Whisk well and set aside. Then, in a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and eggs until thoroughly blended.
    dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls.
  • Combine them and add water. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Pour the liquid ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix them together gently using a rubber spatula until they are just combined. Slowly pour in the hot water while whisking continuously until the batter becomes smooth and even.
    batter before and after adding water.
  • Add cherries. Gently fold in the chopped black cherries until evenly distributed throughout the batter with a spatula.
    bowl of cake batter with chopped cherries.
  • Bake. Pour the cake batter into the prepared 9x13 baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the dish on a wire rack.
    cake before and after baking.

Assemble.

  • Make the frosting. In a large bowl, using a stand mixer or hand mixer, whip the heavy cream until it forms soft peaks. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to whip until stiff peaks form.
    whipped cream in bowl and being spread on cake.
  • Frost and garnish. Add the whipped cream to the top of the sheet cake and spread evenly. Garnish with shaved chocolate and black cherries. Enjoy!
    cake being frosted and garnished.
  • Serve. Cut into pieces and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

To check if your cake is baked perfectly, poke a toothpick into the center. Your cake is ready if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If there's still wet batter on the toothpick, give it a few more minutes in the oven and check again.
Allow your cake to cool completely before frosting it. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 656IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 2mg