20-Min Black Forest Cake Stack
Layers of store-bought chocolate cake, whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate shards — no baking required. Looks bakery-worthy but comes together in minutes.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 480
- Protein
- 6g
Ingredients
- 1 package (14 oz) chocolate cake (store-bought, unfrosted)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ¾ cup sour cherry preserves (or canned cherries in syrup, drained)
- 4 oz dark chocolate bar (70% cacao or higher)
- 1 tbsp kirsch or cherry liqueur (optional)
- 8 whole fresh maraschino cherries with stems
- 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder (for dusting)
Instructions
- 1
Slice the chocolate cake into three equal horizontal layers using a serrated knife.
- 2
Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form, about 2–3 minutes.
- 3
Use a vegetable peeler or microplane to shave the dark chocolate into thin curls.
- 4
Brush each cake layer lightly with kirsch (or skip if you prefer no alcohol).
- 5
Place the first cake layer on a serving plate, then spread with whipped cream and cherries.
- 6
Stack the second layer, repeat with cream and cherries, then top with the final layer.
- 7
Frost the outside with remaining whipped cream, then press chocolate curls onto all sides.
- 8
Crown with fresh maraschino cherries, dust lightly with cocoa powder, and serve immediately.
Tools you’ll need
- serrated knife
- electric mixer or whisk
- vegetable peeler or microplane
- serving plate
- offset spatula or knife
- sifter or fine-mesh strainer
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