The White Forest Cake Recipe is a delightful twist on the classic Black Forest, marrying the rich creaminess of white chocolate and whipped cream with the luscious burst of cherry pie filling. This cake is an absolute showstopper for any celebration or simply a sweet treat to brighten your day. With its soft, tender layers and creamy cherry filling, it offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will have you reaching for seconds before you know it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this White Forest Cake Recipe is straightforward, each playing a vital role in bringing this dessert to life. From the fluffy cake base to the airy whipped cream and tangy cherries, every component combines to create that heavenly bite.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): Provides the structure for the cake, ensuring a tender crumb.
- Baking powder (2 1/2 tsp): Helps the cake rise beautifully.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Balances and enhances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Adds moisture and richness.
- Sugar (1 1/2 cups): Sweetens the cake and aids in creating a light texture.
- Large eggs (4): Bind ingredients and add stability.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Infuses a warm, aromatic flavor into the cake.
- Milk (1 cup): Keeps the batter moist and tender.
- Cherry pie filling (1 can, 21 oz): Brings juicy bursts of cherry flavor and lovely color.
- Heavy whipping cream (2 cups): Whipped to fluffy perfection for the creamy layers.
- Powdered sugar (1/4 cup): Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp, for whipped cream): Adds an extra hint of warmth and depth.
- White chocolate (8 oz, shaved or grated): Gorgeous garnish and adds sweet, creamy notes.
How to Make White Forest Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Preheat the Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to ensure your cake layers come out smoothly without sticking. This prep step is the foundation for a cake that bakes evenly and rises perfectly.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This mix ensures your leavening agents and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout the batter, which is crucial for an even rise and great texture in your White Forest Cake Recipe.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Add Eggs
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. This aeration step is what gives your cake that soft, tender crumb. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate more air and create a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for that classic sweet aroma.
Step 4: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk
Gradually add your dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Overmixing here can toughen your cake, so gentle folding is key for the delicate texture of this White Forest Cake Recipe.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Use a toothpick to test doneness—it should come out clean when inserted in the center. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before removing them. Cooling is essential to prevent the whipped cream from melting during assembly.
Step 6: Whip the Cream
Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This light, creamy topping is what makes the White Forest Cake Recipe truly indulgent, creating beautiful layers and a luscious topping.
Step 7: Assemble the Cake
Start by placing one cake layer on your serving plate. Generously spread a layer of whipped cream over it, then spoon half of the cherry pie filling on top. The combination of whipped cream and cherries adds a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.
Step 8: Add the Final Layer and Garnish
Place the second cake layer on top and cover it with the remaining whipped cream. Spoon the rest of the cherry pie filling over this top layer, letting it cascade enticingly. Finish by garnishing with white chocolate shavings to give the cake a gorgeous, elegant look and a sweet, creamy hint in every bite.
How to Serve White Forest Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A simple garnish can elevate your White Forest Cake Recipe from lovely to unforgettable. In addition to the white chocolate shavings, fresh cherries or a sprinkle of toasted coconut can add a splash of color and texture that will wow your guests.
Side Dishes
Serve your White Forest Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a small dollop of fresh whipped cream on the side. A light fruit salad with berries complements the cherries beautifully and keeps the dessert feeling fresh and vibrant.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this cake on a decorative cake stand to make it the centerpiece of your dessert table. Alternatively, slice it into elegant individual portions and serve on pretty plates with a drizzle of cherry syrup or melted white chocolate for that extra wow factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cake well-covered in the refrigerator to preserve its freshness. Wrapped tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container, it will stay moist and delicious for up to three days.
Freezing
If you want to save your White Forest Cake Recipe for longer, freeze individual cake layers wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. When ready, thaw the layers overnight in the fridge before assembling the cake fresh, to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Since this is a cream-based cake, it’s best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Avoid reheating as it can cause the whipped cream to separate and the texture to suffer, but letting the cake sit out for 15-20 minutes before serving brings out its flavors perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned cherry pie filling?
Absolutely! Fresh or frozen cherries cooked down with a bit of sugar and lemon juice can be a fantastic substitution, offering a fresher, less sweet touch to your White Forest Cake Recipe.
Is there a way to make this cake dairy-free?
You can substitute dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives such as vegan butter, almond milk, and coconut whipping cream. Just be sure to choose products that whip well to keep the texture light and fluffy.
How long does it take to make the White Forest Cake Recipe?
From start to finish, plan on about one hour, including preparation and baking. Cooling and assembly will add extra time, so it’s best to make the cake layers ahead and assemble closer to serving time.
Can I make this cake in a single larger pan?
Yes, if you only have one pan, you can bake the batter in batches or use a larger pan, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time accordingly to ensure it cooks through without drying out.
What can I do if the whipped cream becomes watery?
If your whipped cream starts to break or become watery, chilling the bowl and beaters before whipping can help. If it’s already separated, try whipping it again briefly or add a little more powdered sugar to stabilize it.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with this White Forest Cake Recipe—it’s a classic with a bright, creamy twist that feels both special and comforting. Whether you’re making it for a birthday, a cozy gathering, or just because, this cake is sure to bring smiles and sweet memories. So grab your mixing bowls and let’s get baking; your next favorite dessert awaits!
Print
White Forest Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic White Forest Cake recipe combines light, fluffy vanilla sponge layers with sweet cherry pie filling and luscious whipped cream, all topped with elegant white chocolate shavings. Perfect for celebrations, this cake is moist, creamy, and refreshingly fruity, bringing a beautiful twist to the traditional Black Forest cake by using cherries and white chocolate.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
Filling and Topping
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for whipped cream)
- 8 oz white chocolate, shaved or grated
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans thoroughly to ensure the cakes release easily after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates a smooth batter base. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Batter: Gradually incorporate the dry flour mixture into the wet batter, alternating with milk. Start and end with the flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined to prevent overmixing and keep the cake tender.
- Bake the Cakes: Divide the batter evenly into the two prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
- Make Whipped Cream: In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This will be used to layer and frost the cake.
- Assemble the Cake – First Layer: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of the prepared whipped cream over the cake, then spoon half of the cherry pie filling evenly on top of the cream.
- Assemble the Cake – Second Layer and Finish: Place the second cake layer on top. Cover this layer with the remaining whipped cream and spoon the remaining cherry pie filling over it. Finally, garnish the entire cake with the shaved or grated white chocolate for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming.
- Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to maintain a light texture.
- Chilling the bowl and beaters before whipping cream helps achieve stiff peaks faster.
- The cherry pie filling can be substituted with fresh cherries lightly sweetened and thickened with cornstarch.
- Store the assembled cake in the refrigerator to keep the whipped cream fresh.
- Let the cake sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for best flavor and texture.
