Description
This Elegant Black Forest Cake Roll is a light chocolate sponge wrapped around fluffy vanilla whipped cream and juicy cherries, then finished with dark chocolate shavings and fresh cherries. A bakery-worthy dessert that’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you want a show-stopping treat.
Ingredients
Chocolate Sponge Cake:
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
Whipped Cream Filling:
• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, for extra flavor)
Cherries & Finish:
• 1 cup cherries (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen), pitted and well-drained
• 2 tbsp cherry syrup or cherry juice (family-safe)
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate shavings/curls
• Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Garnish (optional):
• Fresh cherries
• Mint leaves
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a jelly-roll pan with parchment and lightly grease.
2. Beat eggs and sugar until pale, thick, and fluffy (about 3–5 minutes). Mix in vanilla.
3. Sift cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt together. Gently fold into the egg mixture until just combined.
4. Spread batter evenly in the pan. Bake 10–12 minutes, until the cake springs back lightly when touched.
5. While warm, lift the cake with parchment and roll it up from the short end (with parchment inside). Cool completely rolled.
6. Whip cold heavy cream with powdered sugar (and vanilla if using) until soft peaks form.
7. Carefully unroll the cooled cake. Brush lightly with cherry syrup/juice.
8. Spread whipped cream evenly, leaving a small border at the edges. Scatter cherries over the cream.
9. Re-roll the cake tightly. Wrap and chill at least 30 minutes for clean slices.
10. Finish with powdered sugar (optional), dark chocolate shavings, and fresh cherries. Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
Drain cherries very well to avoid a soggy filling.
Rolling the cake while warm helps prevent cracking later.
Chill before slicing for the cleanest spiral.
Optional lighter swap: use light whipped topping instead of heavy cream.
If using frozen cherries, thaw completely and pat dry before adding.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg