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Dark Forest Cake Recipe

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4.3 from 90 reviews

This Dark Forest Cake is a decadent vegan dessert featuring rich dark chocolate layers, a luscious cherry filling, and a glossy black ganache, perfect for impressing guests with its striking appearance and bold flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup dark cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup plant-based milk
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp espresso powder
  • ½ tsp charcoal powder (optional)

Cherry Filling

  • 2 cups pitted black cherries (fresh or frozen)
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

Black Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 cup vegan cream
  • 1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp black gel food coloring

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, dark cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, and optional charcoal powder. In a separate bowl, combine vegetable oil, plant-based milk, apple cider vinegar, and espresso powder. Gradually add wet mixture to dry ingredients, mixing until smooth and lump-free. Divide batter evenly into pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the cake springs back gently when pressed. Cool layers completely on a rack.
  2. Make the Cherry Filling: Combine pitted cherries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Allow cherries to soften and release juices. Mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry and add to cherries. Stir until compote thickens to a jam-like consistency. Cool fully to prevent sogginess in the final cake.
  3. Prepare the Black Chocolate Ganache: Warm vegan cream until hot but not boiling. Pour over dark chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and allow to sit for two minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy. Add black gel food coloring gradually, stirring until the ganache achieves a rich, deep black sheen.
  4. Assemble the Cake: Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread half the cherry filling evenly on top. Add the second cake layer and spread remaining cherry filling. Cover the entire cake with the black ganache, smoothing sides and top for a sleek finish. Refrigerate for at least one hour to set. Decorate with whole cherries and dark chocolate curls if desired before serving.

Notes

  • Cooling the cake layers completely before assembly is crucial to prevent the cherry filling from soaking into the cake.
  • Allow the ganache to set in the refrigerator for at least one hour for a clean, sleek finish.
  • Optional charcoal powder can be added to intensify the dark color of the cake.

Keywords: Dark Forest Cake, vegan chocolate cake, cherry filling, black chocolate ganache, plant-based dessert

Find it online: https://foodarohub.com/dark-forest-cake-recipe/