Healthy Vegan Black Forest Cake
This Vegan Black Forest Cake is a rich, chocolatey cake made with simple, wholesome ingredients and a naturally sweet cherry filling. It’s soft, moist, and layered with dairy-free whipped cream and dark sweet cherries for a dessert that feels indulgent, yet nourishing—Vegan, dairy-free, refined-sugar-free, nut-free, made only with plant-based ingredients, and perfect for chocolate lovers.
Equipment
- 1 Mixer
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups coconut sugar or maple sugar
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon activated charcoal powder optional, for darker color
- 1 cup avocado oil
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons vinegar apple cider or white
Cherry Filling
- 2 cups frozen dark sweet cherries
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey if not vegan
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean powder
- 2 tablespoons Anima Mundi Euphoria Elixir
Assembly & Topping
- 6 cups dairy-free whipped topping coconut whipped cream or store-bought
- Shaved dark chocolate for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Cake Pans
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease and line two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
Make the Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together: flour, coconut/maple sugar, cacao powder, baking powder, vanilla bean powder, charcoal powder (if using), and mix.
- Add the avocado oil and water. Mix until smooth.
- Stir in the vinegar last and gently mix just until combined. (The vinegar activates the baking powder and helps the cake rise.)
Bake
- Divide the batter evenly between the pans.
- Bake 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.
Make the Cherry Filling
- Add the frozen cherries and maple syrup to a small saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cherries soften and release their juices.
- Lightly mash some of the cherries with a spoon to thicken slightly.
- Stir in almond extract, vanilla bean powder, and Euphoria elixir.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely before assembling.
Assemble the Cake
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate once chilled completely.
- Spread a thick layer of dairy-free whipped topping over the cake.
- Spoon half of the cherry filling over the whipped topping.
- Add the second cake layer on top.
Frost & Decorate
- Frost the top of the cake with the remaining whipped topping.
- Spoon remaining cherries onto the top center of the cake.
- Garnish with shaved dark chocolate.
Video
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