Frosting Recipes

Black forest cake originated in southern Germany in the early 20th century.  Traditionally, it was enjoyed in the summer, probably because the tender Schmidt cherries used in the recipe ripen in July.

The easiest part of making a black forest cake is the frosting recipe. It’s a flexible recipe so some substitutions aren’t a problem.

Easy Black Forest Cake Frosting Recipe

3 1/4 c heavy cream
3/4 c milk
2/3 c confectioner’s sugar
2 t vanilla sugar*
2 dozen brandy-soaked cherries (non-brandy-soaked is also fine)
3 c chocolate shavings

Whip together cream, milk, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla sugar until fluffy.  Cover each layer of a three layer cake with 1/4 of the cream and a dozen cherries. Cover the sides of the cake with remaining cream.  Decorate entire cake with chocolate shavings.
*optional but tasty. Visit Baking Bites to see how it’s made.

I had been looking for a cherry frosting recipe that didn’t start with “buy a tub of cherry frosting” or end with “then add red food coloring.”  It shouldn’t be too hard to make a cherry frosting from scratch!

We finally found this lovely cherry frosting recipe from Pretty Enough To Eat who puts it on some deep, delicious chocolate cupcakes.  The combination of sour cream and whipped cream are a nice compliment to the cherry flavor and make the frosting smooth and spreadable.  She mentions using cherry extract to enhance the cherry flavor which we think is a great idea.  Though we don’t always like to buy expensive ingredients for just one dish, you can also use cherry extract in chocolate cake recipes, as well as for cocktails or limeade.

Cherry Frosting Recipe

• 8 oz sour cream
• 1 c whipping cream
• 1 1/2 c powdered sugar
• 2 T maraschino cherry juice

In a large mixing bowl combine one 8-ounce carton sour cream, 1 cup whipping cream (already whipped-trust me, it doesn’t turn out with just the cream!) 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, and 2 Tablespoons maraschino cherry juice. Beat on medium-high until fluffy.

Cake and garnish details and photos after the link.

Pretty Enough to Eat – Cherry Chocolate Cupcakes – your homebased mom.