How to Make An Eggless Black Forest Cake

February 21, 2021

Eggless Black Forest Cake or Black Forest Gâteau combines layers of chocolate sponge cake soaked in cherry syrup. It is covered with whipped cream and maraschino cherries on top. Chocolate shavings are added on the sides of the cake.

eggless black forest cake with a slice cut out

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This decadent cake is perfect for any special occasion especially birthday celebrations! This beginner friendly easy eggless black forest cake recipe and it is fairly easy to make!

It is a popular cake from Germany and is similar to another German Dessert, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, which translates to Black Forest Cherry-torte.

In some traditional recipes, sour cherries dipped in a clear spirit called kirschwasser is used to make this recipe. This eggless version however doesn’t contain alcohol! Check out more eggless cake recipes such as this Vegan Rum Cake and Vanilla Oreo Cake

Ingredients used and alternatives

All purpose flour: Make sure you sift the flour before using. Last thing you need is lumps in your pasta dough.

Unsweetened coca powder*: For best results use good quality cocoa powder. I have always had good results with using unsweetened cocoa powder instead of sweetened one

Olive oil: I usually use olive oil for all baking. You can use any other oil that does not have a strong flavor or smell

Vanilla Extract* / Vanilla Essence: Always use natural extract or better yet, if you can get actual vanilla beans* and make the extract, then all the more better. Did you know the real vanilla extra is actually keto!

Vanilla beans however can be quite expensive so maybe this is not a viable option always. Artificial extracts always have a discernable taste and I am not a big fan of it.

Milk: We used regular milk. You can obviously use any alternatives as well, like almond milk.

Cherry: Maraschino cherries* were used for decoration on top and sliced one for adding in between the cake layers. Maraschino cherries are preserved sweetened cherries that usually in a jar.

We used frozen cherries for making the cherry syrup. You can use fresh cherries as well. Try not using maraschino cherries for making the syrup since this comes very sweet already.

To make this cake alcoholic, use cherry liqueur instead of cherry syrup*.

Chocolate: For shavings, you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate. Use only good quality chocolate.

Other ingredients: Granulated white sugar, baking soda, salt, white vinegar, heavy cream, olive oil, water. powdered sugar.

How to make the perfect eggless black forest cake

The instructions below show the detailed steps involved in making the eggless version of the classic black forest cake. I would highly suggest going through the detailed steps and video recipe first and then move to the quick recipe which comes later.

The quick recipe is just for the purpose of going through as you are baking, for quick reference. All minute details, tips and tricks, come in the step by step instructions given below.

Chocolate Cake

Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a large bowl.
Next, add the baking soda and salt to flour mixture. Mix everything well.

In a separate bowl, take the milk and add in the vinegar. Mix and let it stand for 1 minute.
Add in the sugar to the milk + vinegar mixture and mix till the sugar is dissolved. Add in the oil.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix till everything is very well mixed.
Add in the vanilla and mix.

In a 6 inch cake pan*, line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease the bottom and side with butter
Pour the batter to it pan.
Bake at 350 F for 30 to 40 minutes in a preheated oven. Bake until a tooth pick comes out clean when put in the middle of the cake.

NOTE: Depending on your oven and how efficient it is in distributing the heat, this baking time might vary so best way to check when the cake it done is the toothpick method.

Remove the cake from the pan and let it cool off on a wire rack*.
Repeat all the steps above 2 more times for 2 more cakes. You can make the three layers at once if you have multiple cake tins.

Cherry Syrup

In a deep pan, add water, sugar and the frozen cherries.
Bring it to a simmer and keep it going for 2 to 3 minutes.
Strain out the syrup.

Whipped Cream Frosting

In a medium bowl, take heavy cream or whipping cream and add in the sugar.
Using an electric beater*, beat till stiff peaks are formed.

Chocolate Shavings

For chocolate shavings, the ideal chocolate to use would be milk chocolate or dark chocolate bar
The temperature of the chocolate should not be raised since it might melt fast while you make the shavings.
So keep the chocolate chilled in the refrigerator before use.
Hold it with a cling wrap or some plastic surface and grate it using a coarse blade grater* or whichever grade grater you have. The idea is to get smaller shavings so use a suitable grater
It is added on the outer whipped cream frosting, around the bottom edges of the cake.

Assembly

Using a cake slicer*, cut the top dome part of each cake to get a flat top
Now, our Eggless Black Forest Cake is a 3 tier cake. Lets start with the bottom layer. For easiest assembly use some form of a turning/spinning dish like a lazy susan or cake turntable*
Brush cherry syrup on top.

Spread a thin layer of the whipped cream on the first layer.
Spread some chopped cherries on the whipped cream spread.
Add the next cake layer on top. Spread the whipped cream and cherries as you did for the bottom layer.
For the top layer, brush the cherry syrup and spread the whipped cream but don’t add sliced cherries

Using an icing spatula, spread an even layer of the whipped cream around the sides. Here is where using a lazy susan or cake turntable really comes into use and makes it easy.
Stick the chocolate shavings to halfway height of the cake.

adding chocolate shavings halfway up the cake and on top

You can take the shavings in the palm of your hand and stick it around the cake but keep in mind you might end up melting it so be quick.
Top of the cake by adding maraschino cherries.

decorate the cake with cherries and chocolate shavings

Storage Options

Since whipped cream frosting is used for Black Forest Cake, it stays well in the refrigerator for only 2-3 days.

You can also freeze the cake for 2-3 months but I would suggest freezing it before frosting. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring it room temperature before adding frosting and serving.

Make Ahead Options

You can bake the cake a day ahead. Once cooled, cover tightly in a cling wrap and store it at room temperature. You can also make the cherry syrup a day before and store in the refrigerator.

Commonly Asked Questions

Difference between Black Forest Cake and White Forest Cake

Black Forest gâteau or Black Forest cake is a chocolate sponge cake with cherry filling in between each layer of cake with some cherry syrup brushed on the cake. White Forest Cake is simply a variation with the difference being that instead of a chocolate cake, you simply make vanilla cake layers and instead of milk chocolate shavings, you use white chocolate shavings.

Why are eggs usually added to cakes?

Eggs help trap air while they are cooked so this property helps in cakes by creating a fluffy texture and aids in the rise of the cake. The protein in eggs is what creates a binding property and keeps the cake sponges from crumbling.

What can you do to make eggless cakes fluffy?

Using buttermilk (or making your own by adding milk + vinegar) and some baking soda usually does the trick. The buttermilk will aid separating the gluten in the flour and the baking soda acts as a rising agent, thereby making the cake fluffy. Using all ingredients at room temperature is another key factor that ensures the baking goes perfect.

How long will this cake last?

This cake will not keep incredibly long due to the whipped cream. I recommend eating within 1-2 days and storing in the fridge. Freezing this cake isn’t recommended.

Should black forest cake be refrigerated?

Black forest cakes are covered in whipped cream which must be refrigerated if being left out for more than an hour.

LOOKING FOR MORE EGGLESS RECIPES??

Here are some of my favorite ones, that I am sure you would love –

Eggless Black Forest Cake

Easy eggless black forest cake decorated with cherries and chocolate shavings. Lets make your next birthday awesome with this deliciousness!

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 35

Course Dessert

Cuisine German

Servings slices

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake (for 1 layer of cake)

1 ½ cup All purpose flour*
1 cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 cup Cocoa powder*
1 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 cup Milk
1/2 cup Oil
2 tbsp Water
1 tsp Vanilla extract*
2 tsp Vinegar*

Cherry Syrup

1 cup Water
2 tbsp Granulated sugar
1 cup maraschino cherries Keep extra cherries sliced up for adding in between each cake layer

Whipped Cream Frosting

2 cup Heavy cream
2 to 3 tbsp Powdered sugar

Chocolate Shavings

300 to 400 g Milk Chocolate, keep it chilled More if you need thicker shavings.