Black Forest Cake Recipe Veg Recipes of India Made Easy

Updated On: October 7, 2025

The Black Forest cake is a classic dessert that combines the richness of chocolate sponge, the tartness of cherries, and the lightness of whipped cream to create a truly indulgent experience. Originating from the Black Forest region in Germany, this cake has become beloved worldwide, inspiring countless variations.

Here in India, we love to adapt traditional recipes with a vegetarian twist that suits local tastes and ingredient availability. This Black Forest Cake Recipe is completely vegetarian, using fresh and wholesome ingredients to bring out the authentic flavors without compromising on indulgence.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a decadent treat, this cake promises to impress your family and friends. The moist chocolate cake layers soaked in cherry syrup, layered with luscious cream and juicy cherries, make every bite heavenly.

Plus, it’s a fantastic recipe to practice your baking skills and delight in the joy of homemade desserts.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Indian vegetarian Black Forest cake recipe is a perfect blend of tradition and simplicity. Unlike store-bought versions that often use artificial additives, this recipe uses fresh ingredients and natural flavors.

The cake is soft and moist, thanks to the cherry syrup soak, and the cream is whipped to fluffy perfection without any gelatin or animal-based stabilizers.

It’s also versatile—you can easily customize the sweetness and cherry intensity to your liking. Plus, it’s a great way to impress guests with a visually stunning cake layered with rich chocolate and vibrant cherries.

The recipe is beginner-friendly, so even if you’re new to baking, you can create a show-stopping dessert with ease.

Ingredients

  • For the Cake:
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (maida)
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • ½ tsp baking soda
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 1 cup milk (or almond milk for vegan option)
    • ½ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice
  • For the Cherry Syrup:
    • 1 cup canned or fresh pitted cherries
    • ½ cup water
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 tbsp kirsch or cherry juice (optional)
  • For the Whipped Cream:
    • 2 cups heavy cream or fresh cream
    • ¼ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • For Garnish:
    • Fresh cherries
    • Chocolate shavings or curls

Equipment

  • Two 8-inch round cake pans
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Sieve for flour and cocoa powder
  • Spatula
  • Cooling rack
  • Whisk
  • Small saucepan (for cherry syrup)
  • Cake stand or serving plate
  • Knife for slicing cake layers

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour the cake pans. In a sieve, sift together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and vinegar until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing gently until smooth and lump-free.
  3. Pour the batter evenly into the two prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  4. Make the Cherry Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine cherries, water, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until the cherries are soft and the syrup thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in kirsch or cherry juice if using. Let it cool.
  5. Whip the Cream: Using an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Keep chilled until ready to use.
  6. Assemble the Cake: Slice each cake layer horizontally to get four even layers. Place the first layer on a cake stand and brush generously with cherry syrup.
  7. Spread a thick layer of whipped cream over the soaked cake, then scatter some cherries on top.
  8. Repeat the process with the remaining layers, finishing with a thick coat of whipped cream on the top and sides of the cake.
  9. Decorate the cake with fresh cherries and chocolate shavings for an elegant finish.
  10. Chill the cake in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully.

Tips & Variations

Always sift your dry ingredients to avoid lumps and ensure a light, airy cake texture.

  • For a vegan version, substitute dairy milk with almond or soy milk and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
  • You can use store-bought cherry pie filling if short on time, but fresh cherries give the best flavor.
  • Add a tablespoon of espresso powder to the cake batter to deepen the chocolate flavor.
  • Try layering in some crushed nuts or chocolate chips for added texture.
  • If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the sugar in the syrup and whipped cream.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Calories 320 kcal
Carbohydrates 45 g
Protein 4 g
Fat 12 g
Saturated Fat 7 g
Sugar 30 g
Fiber 3 g

Serving Suggestions

This Black Forest cake is best served chilled with a cup of hot tea or coffee. You can also pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some fresh fruit salad for a balanced dessert experience.

If you’re interested in exploring more delightful desserts, check out our Chocolate Heaven Cake Recipe to satisfy your chocolate cravings or the creamy and crunchy Cinnamon Pecan Ice Cream Recipe. For a savory twist to your meal, don’t miss the Classico Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce Recipe.

Conclusion

Making a Black Forest cake at home is a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with the aroma of chocolate and cherries. This vegetarian adaptation respects the traditional flavors while making it accessible and suited to Indian kitchens.

The moist cake layers, the tangy cherry syrup, and the light whipped cream create a harmonious taste that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe guides you step-by-step to create a stunning cake perfect for any celebration. Plus, the flexibility to customize the recipe means you can put your own spin on it each time.

So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to a slice of this classic dessert with an Indian vegetarian twist.

📖 Recipe Card: Black Forest Cake – Veg Recipes of India

Description: A rich and moist chocolate sponge cake layered with whipped cream and cherries. This vegetarian version captures the classic Black Forest flavors with a delightful Indian twist.

Prep Time: PT30M
Cook Time: PT35M
Total Time: PT65M

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or curd)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup pitted cherries (fresh or canned)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round pans.
  2. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together.
  3. In another bowl, mix sugar, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and vinegar.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
  5. Divide batter between pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.
  6. Cool cakes completely before assembling.
  7. Whip cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
  8. Place one cake layer on a plate; spread whipped cream and cherries.
  9. Top with the second cake layer and repeat cream and cherry topping.
  10. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition: Calories: 350 kcal | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 18 g | Carbs: 42 g

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Marta K

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