Irresistible German Cherry Cake Recipe for Sweet Tooths

Sweet summer memories dance through kitchens when baking this delectable German cherry cake recipe that connects generations.

Ripe cherries burst with vibrant flavor, creating a dessert both rustic and elegant.

Soft, tender layers complement the rich fruit perfectly.

Bakers adore how simple ingredients combine into something magical.

Germany’s culinary traditions shine through every delicate slice.

Seasonal cherries make this cake a true celebration of summer’s bounty.

Grab your apron and let’s create a dessert that will delight everyone at the table.

Serve Your German Cherry Cake Just Right

• Serve with Whipped Cream Delight: Top each slice with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream, adding a light and airy texture that complements the rich cherry cake perfectly.
• Pair with Chilled Coffee: Enjoy a slice alongside a cool, creamy iced coffee or cappuccino to balance the sweetness and enhance the cake's delicate flavor profile.
• Garnish with Fresh Cherries: Scatter a few fresh cherries around the cake plate or place a small cluster on top to add a vibrant pop of color and extra fruity freshness.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Slice the cake and arrange it with other German pastries like strudel or black forest cake pieces for an impressive after-dinner display that celebrates traditional German baking.

Keep That Cherry Cake Moist with These Storage Tips

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the German cherry cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Freeze for Later: Slice the cake before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Keeps well for 2-3 months.
• Room Temperature Revival: Allow frozen cake slices to thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving. For best taste, enjoy within 24 hours of thawing.
• Quick Serving Tip: Dust with powdered sugar or add a dollop of whipped cream just before serving to refresh the cake's appearance and taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 26 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 9

German Cherry Cake: Ingredient Checklist

• Flour: Provides structure and binding for the delicate shortcrust, choose high-quality all-purpose flour for best texture.
• Butter: Delivers rich, flaky consistency and enhances overall flavor, select cold unsalted butter for optimal pastry performance.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden browning of the crust.
• Vanilla Sugar: Introduces delicate aromatic depth to the pastry foundation.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to the smooth, cohesive texture.

• Quark, Greek Yogurt: Provides tangy, smooth base with rich protein content, ensure well-drained for perfect consistency.
• Milk: Softens and smooths the filling texture, creating light and airy custard.
• Egg Yolks: Enriches filling with luxurious golden color and silky mouthfeel.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps integrate filling components smoothly.
• Vanilla Pudding Powder: Stabilizes and thickens the filling, creating signature German cake texture.
• Sugar: Balances flavors and provides natural sweetness.

• Egg Whites: Creates light, airy meringue-like layer when whipped with sugar.
• Cherries: Adds bursts of fruity freshness and vibrant color, drain thoroughly to prevent soggy cake.

Kitchen Tools for Cherry Cake

• Stand Mixer: Essential for mixing the shortcrust pastry quickly and evenly.
• 9-inch Springform Pan: Perfect for creating a neat cake with removable sides.
• Colander: Helps drain cherries and quark efficiently.
• Clean Mixing Bowl: Used for whisking egg whites to stiff peaks.
• Paddle Attachment: Specifically designed for mixing pastry dough smoothly.
• Whisk: Needed for beating egg whites with sugar.
• Sieve: Useful for draining yogurt if used instead of quark.
• Measuring Cups and Scales: Critical for precise ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Great for folding egg whites into the quark mixture.

Bake: German Cherry Cake Instructions

• Pastry Preparation

Create a delightful shortcrust base by blending flour, butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, and egg in a mixer. Shape into a smooth ball and let it chill in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and the dough to rest.

• Creamy Filling Creation

Whip together quark, milk, egg yolks, melted butter, pudding powder, and sugar into a silky smooth mixture. Gently fold in stiffly beaten egg whites to create a light, airy texture that will make the cake irresistibly soft.

• Cherry Cake Assembly

Press two-thirds of the chilled pastry into a springform pan, creating a perfect base and rim. Pour the creamy filling over the crust and generously scatter drained cherries across the top for a burst of fruity goodness.

• Baking Magic

Slide the cake into a preheated oven and bake until golden and set, typically around 60-70 minutes. The kitchen will fill with an amazing aroma that promises a delectable German dessert experience.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow the cake to cool completely, letting the flavors settle and the texture become perfectly firm. Slice and serve this heavenly cherry delight that captures the essence of traditional German baking.

German Cake Tips That Add a Cherry on Top

• Replace cherries with fresh raspberries, blueberries, or sliced peaches for a delightful seasonal twist that keeps the cake exciting and versatile.
• Sprinkle ground cinnamon or almond extract into the quark filling to elevate the cake's taste profile and add a warm, aromatic dimension.
• Drain canned cherries thoroughly on paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making the cake soggy, ensuring a consistently delicious texture.
• Prepare the shortcrust pastry and refrigerate up to two days in advance, allowing busy bakers to save time without compromising the cake's quality.

Authentic German Cherry Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 26 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte delights chocolate and cherry enthusiasts with rich layers of chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and kirsch-soaked cherries. Sweet German traditions merge deliciously, offering pure culinary pleasure that will transport dessert lovers directly to Black Forest regions.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups cherries (sour cherries, Rainier, etc.)
• 750 grams (26.5 oz) quark or drained Greek yogurt
• 2 egg whites
• 1 egg
• 125 grams (4.4 oz) butter
• 150 grams (5.3 oz) sugar
• 50 grams (1.8 oz) flour
• 1 packet vanilla sugar
• 100 milliliters (3.4 fl oz) milk
• 2 egg yolks
• 25 grams (0.9 oz) butter, melted
• 2 sachets vanilla pudding custard powder (Dr. Oetker) or 80 grams (2.8 oz) cornstarch
• 1 ½ vanilla bean pods, scraped out
• 130 grams (4.6 oz) sugar
• 60 grams (2.1 oz) sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation of Cherries: Drain canned cherries thoroughly, eliminating all excess liquid and ensuring a dry fruit base.
2. Dough Creation: Combine flour, butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, and egg in a stand mixer, blending until a uniform dough forms. Shape into a smooth disk and refrigerate for 30 minutes to solidify and enhance texture.
3. Custard Crafting: Whisk quark, milk, egg yolks, melted butter, vanilla pudding powder, and sugar until achieving a silky, homogeneous mixture. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites with sugar until forming glossy, stiff peaks. Gently fold whipped whites into the custard, maintaining a light, airy consistency.
4. Crust Assembly: Press two-thirds of the chilled dough evenly across the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan, creating a seamless base. Use remaining dough to construct a slightly raised rim around the pan’s edges.
5. Filling and Baking: Pour the quark custard into the prepared crust, then evenly distribute drained cherries across the surface. Transfer to a preheated oven at 170-180 degrees Celsius (350-355 degrees Fahrenheit) and bake for 60-70 minutes until the cake achieves a golden hue and sets completely.

Notes

• Drain Cherries Thoroughly: Remove all excess liquid to prevent a soggy cake base and maintain the perfect texture.
• Strain Quark Carefully: Proper straining ensures a thick, creamy filling without excess moisture that could compromise the cake’s structure.
• Chill Pastry Dough: Refrigeration helps develop gluten, creates a flakier crust, and makes the dough easier to handle in the pan.
• Fold Egg Whites Gently: Delicate folding preserves the airiness of the whipped whites, resulting in a lighter, more delicate cake filling.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg