Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) - Great Easy Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120ml) hot coffee or water
• 2 cups (480ml) pitted dark cherries (fresh or canned)
• ¼ cup (60ml) Kirsch (cherry brandy)
• ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp cornstarch (for thickening, optional)
• 2 cups (480ml) heavy whipping cream (cold)
• ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (60g) dark chocolate shavings
• Whole cherries with stems
• Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)