Name: White Forest Celebration Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature; 1 cup cherry syrup or cherry juice; 2 cups heavy whipping cream; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 1 cup white chocolate shavings; 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved

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Introduction

The White Forest Celebration Cake is a delightful twist on the classic Black Forest, featuring light vanilla layers soaked in cherry syrup and topped with whipped cream, fresh cherries, and white chocolate shavings. This elegant dessert is perfect for special occasions or any time you want to impress with a beautiful and delicious cake.

A slice of two-layer white cake sits on a white plate over a white marbled surface. The cake layers are light and fluffy with a pale golden crust on the edges. Between the layers is a thick layer of white whipped cream mixed with juicy dark red cherries, some whole and some bursting with juice, creating small red spots. The outside is fully covered in smooth white whipped cream, topped with more decorative swirls of whipped cream and a row of shiny dark red cherries with stems standing upright at the very top. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1 cup cherry syrup or cherry juice
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup white chocolate shavings
1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease and flour your cake pans to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3: In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely.
Step 6: Once cooled, slice each cake horizontally to create layers. Brush each layer generously with cherry syrup to keep the cake moist and flavorful.
Step 7: In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
Step 8: Assemble the cake by layering cake slices with whipped cream and fresh cherries in between.
Step 9: Finish with a final layer of whipped cream on top. Decorate with remaining cherries and white chocolate shavings.
Step 10: Chill the cake for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and the whipped cream to set.

Tips & Variations

For a richer flavor, use homemade cherry syrup or high-quality cherry juice.
You can substitute fresh cherries with maraschino cherries or canned ones if fresh are not in season.
To make the cake gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend and check for appropriate baking times.
For extra texture, add chopped toasted almonds between the layers along with the cherries and cream.

Storage

Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to keep the whipped cream fresh. For best results, bring the cake to room temperature about 20 minutes before serving. Avoid freezing as whipped cream can separate upon thawing.

How to Serve

A slice of two-layer white cake with fluffy white frosting between and around the layers, decorated on top with swirls of whipped cream and five dark red cherries with stems. The cake layers have a light, soft texture, and the frosting between layers contains whole cherries embedded in it, showing bright red juice spots. The cake rests on a white plate, set against a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cake without buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar per cup. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using to mimic buttermilk’s acidity.

How do I prevent the whipped cream from deflating?

Keep your mixing bowl and beaters chilled before whipping. Whip the cream just until stiff peaks form without overbeating. Adding powdered sugar helps stabilize the cream slightly.