Description
This elegant eggless Pastry Cake combines a tender cocoa crumb with a luscious cherry syrup soak and airy whipped cream. It is a professional-quality Black Forest dessert that is surprisingly simple to assemble at home for any special occasion.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Vegetable oil
- Chocolate extract
- Buttermilk
- Water
- Maraschino cherries and syrup
- Heavy whipping cream
- Powdered sugar
- Cream of tartar
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9.5 x 5-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Sift together the flour, cocoa, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl to remove lumps.
- In a stand mixer, whisk together the oil, sugar, and chocolate extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Alternately add the sifted dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the mixer, blending until just incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, tap to release air bubbles, and bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the soak by boiling water and sugar, then simmering with sliced maraschino cherries for 5 minutes; let cool.
- Whisk chilled heavy cream, powdered sugar, and cream of tartar in a cold bowl until stiff peaks form.
- Slice the cooled cake into two layers, apply the cherry syrup soak to the first layer, and spread with whipped cream and cherries.
- Place the second cake layer on top, soak with remaining syrup, and frost with the rest of the cream and chocolate shavings.
Notes
For the most stable whipped cream, ensure your mixing bowl and whisk attachment are placed in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before use. If you do not have buttermilk, you can create a quick substitute by adding one teaspoon of lemon juice to a cup of milk and letting it sit for five minutes before adding it to the batter.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American