Black Forest Poke Cake 🍒🍫
This Black Forest Poke Cake brings together everything we love about the classic dessert—moist chocolate cake, juicy cherries, and fluffy whipped cream—in an easy version that everyone will love. Every bite is filled with the flavor of cherries and the taste of chocolate.
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Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 2 cups flour
- 1Âľ cups granulated sugar
- Âľ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water or hot coffee
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Cherry Filling
• 2½–3 cups cherries (fresh, frozen, or canned, pitted)
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ cup cherry juice or water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
(You can also use cherry pie filling as a shortcut.)
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Whipped Cream Sauce
- 2 cups cold cream
- ÂĽ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Garnish (Optional)
- Chocolate chips or grated chocolate
- Fresh cherries
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Preparation
- Baking the Chocolate Cake
- Preheat the oven to 175°C / 350°F.
- Grease a 23Ă—33 cm (9Ă—13 inch) baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla; mix until smooth.
- Add hot water or coffee (the batter will be thin).
- Pour into the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
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- Prepare the Cherry Filling
- Combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, cherry juice, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and glossy.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
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- Poke Holes and Fill
- While the cake is still warm, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over it.
- Pour the warm cherry filling over the cake and let it seep into the holes.
- Let it cool completely, then refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
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- Whipped Cream Topping
- Whip the cold cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft and fluffy.
- Spread evenly over the chilled cake.
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- Garnish
- Sprinkle with chocolate shavings.
- Garnish with fresh cherries 🍒
• Chill until ready to serve.
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✨ Tips
• For extra flavor, add 1–2 tablespoons of cherry liqueur or kirsch to the cherry filling.
• Chill overnight for the best texture and flavor.
• Serve cold for clean slices and maximum contrast.