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featured black forest cheesecake

Black Forest Cheesecake Recipe

Course: cheesecake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 683kcal
Black Forest Cheesecake is three layers of absolute bliss that absolutely stuns when served! A chocolatey cake layer is topped with the most luscious, decadent chocolate cheesecake, then it's all topped off with a sweet cherry topping.
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • Kitchen Scale (optional)
  • 9-inch Springform Pan
  • Stand Mixer

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour 120 grams
  • cup unsweetened cocoa powder 29 grams
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda 3 grams
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder 1 gram
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar 150 grams
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter 57 grams, room temperature (½ stick)
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil 50 grams
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar 27 grams
  • 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
  • ½ cup buttermilk 114 grams, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream 43 grams, room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon espresso powder
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
  • ½ cup boiling water 114 grams (212°F)

For the Cheesecake

  • 24 ounces cream cheese 681 grams, room temperature (3 bricks)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
  • cup heavy cream 151 grams
  • ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips 85 grams, melted
  • 3 tablespoons plain yogurt 43 grams, room temperature
  • 3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature
  • 1 egg yolk 14 grams, room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 16 grams
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

For the Topping

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and gently spray the sides with nonstick spray. Set aside.
    how to make black forest cheesecake

For the Cake

  • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and baking powder together. Set aside.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    how to make black forest cheesecake
  • In a separate, large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, butter, vegetable oil, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Whisk in the eggs. Add in the buttermilk, sour cream, espresso powder, and vanilla extract and whisk to incorporate. Mix in the flour mixture just until combined. Mix in the hboiling water until fully incorporated. The batter will be runny at this point.
    ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup unsalted butter, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 large eggs, ½ cup buttermilk, 3 tablespoons sour cream, ½ teaspoon espresso powder, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ cup boiling water
    how to make black forest cheesecake
  • Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and place into the oven to bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
    how to make black forest cheesecake
  • Once baked, remove from the oven and place onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

For the Cheesecake

  • To make the cheesecake batter, add the cream cheese and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat together on high-speed for 1 minute or until smooth and creamy. Add in the heavy cream, melted chocolate chips, and yogurt, and mix until fully incorporated.
    3 tablespoons sour cream, 1 cup granulated sugar, ⅔ cup heavy cream, ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons plain yogurt, 24 ounces cream cheese
  • Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat together for 30 seconds. Lastly, add in the cocoa powder and salt and mix until incorporated. Pour the cheesecake batter onto the baked cake layer.
    3 large eggs, 1 egg yolk, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    how to make black forest cheesecake
  • Wrap the bottom and sides of the springform pan with aluminum foil to prevent any water from seeping in. Place the springform pan into a larger baking pan and fill with enough water to come 1 inch up the sides of the springform pan to form a water bath.
    how to make black forest cheesecake
  • Place both pans into the preheated oven to bake for 1½ hours. Once baked, turn the heat off and leave the cheesecake in the oven to set for 1 hour with the door closed.
  • Once the cheesecake has set, remove from the oven, unwrap the aluminum foil and, place the cheesecake pan onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Once the cheesecake has cooled, cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator to chill for at least 8 hours.

For the Topping

  • After the cheesecake has chilled, make the whipped cream topping. Place the heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Whip together on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until a fluffy whipped cream has formed. Spoon the whipped cream into a piping bag fitted with an open star tip.
    ⅔ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, 21 ounces cherry pie filling
  • Run a butter knife along the inside edge of the springform pan to release the cheesecake from the sides of the pan. Release the springform pan and remove the sides from the cheesecake. Place the cheesecake onto a serving platter or a cake stand.
  • Spoon the cherry filling onto the center of the cheesecake (try to spoon the cherries without the sauce - leave as much sauce as possible in the can). Pipe whipped cream swirls around the edge of the cake to form a barrier for the cherry filling.
    how to make black forest cheesecake
  • Slice the cheesecake and serve.
    how to make black forest cheesecake

Notes

  • If you don't have buttermilk on hand, use a DIY substitute. Measure out 1 cup of milk, remove 2 tablespoons of milk, and mix in 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes before mixing it into the recipe.
  • Plain yogurt (Greek or regular) can be used in place of the sour cream and vice-versa.
  • As with all cakes, avoid over mixing the batter as this will cause the gluten to develop too much which will make the cake rubbery.
  • When making the cheesecake, be sure to beat the cream cheese well at the beginning to ensure that it is smooth. If when the cheesecake batter is complete, you still have lumps, simply press them against the side of the bowl using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
  • Do not over mix the cheesecake batter, as it will add air and result in uneven baking and can even cause it to crack at the end.
  • When making the whipped cream, be vigilant and watch as it is whipping up! Over whipping the cream can cause it to separate, in which case you will need to start over. 
  • Be sure to leave the cheesecake in the oven for the hour after baking to rest. This allows the cheesecake to set, thus preventing or at least lowering the chances that the cheesecake top cracks. 
Storage: Store black forest cheesecake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 683kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 535mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 1535IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 2mg