10 Black Forest Cake-Flavored Desserts Made Vegan

March 28th is Black Forest Cake Day, a day that celebrates one of the most decadent of decadent desserts. Black Forest cake hails from Germany, where it is known as Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte, which translates as “Black Forest cherry torte.” A Black Forest cake is a sponge cake that’s layered with whipped cream and cherries, then topped with additional whipped cream for frosting and cherries for garnish.

You may not know this, but Black Forest cake is actually named for a tart cherry liquor, called Kirschwasser, that’s distilled in the Black Forest region of Germany, rather than for the Black Forest mountain range itself. This was an ingredient in the original recipe for Black Forest cake, and so an all-time favorite flavor combo of chocolate and cherries was born. A couple of the recipes we have for you today include boozy ingredients, paying homage to the recipe that started it all. While the original recipe includes ingredients such as eggs and milk, we can easily make it vegan.

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 20,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help you get healthy! 

1. Black Forest Cake

Source: Black Forest Cake

Not only is Lucie Javorska‘s Black Forest Cake made with whole grain flour, it also can be made sugar-free! It contains healthy fats from the avocado and chia seeds, as well as a surprisingly high amount of protein for a cake. Top this healthier version of Black Forest cake with a generous dollop of coconut whipped cream to bring it even closer to the original.

2. Black Forest Pancakes

Source: Black Forest Pancakes

Chocolate, cherries, and luscious coconut cream — these decadent Black Forest Pancakes by Kyra Howarth are perfect for your Sunday morning brunch. Serve these fresh off the skillet, with lots of maple syrup, and a cherry on top!

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3. Castle Black Forest Cupcakes

Source: Castle Black Forest Cupcakes

Traditional Black Forest cake is made from multiple layers of chocolate cake, then dollops of whipped cream and cherries. But dealing with multiple layers of cake can be fussy if you’re a beginner baker. Aileen Metcalf‘s Castle Black Forest Cupcakes simplify the process by giving you everything a Black Forest cake should be, without the heavy involvement. Dark beer is mixed into the rich chocolate batter, creating a dessert experience unlike any other. And because they’re cupcakes, you can even take them with you when you’re on the go! Theoretically, you could do that with a regular cake, but these make it way easier.

4. Black Forest Mini Cake ‘Gâteau Forêt Noire’

Source: Black Forest Mini Cake ‘Gâteau Forêt Noire’

Hello, beautiful. We need Clémence Moulaert‘s Black Forest Mini Cake ‘Gâteau Forêt Noire’ in our life. One the mini cake is finished baking; it’s sliced in half and filled with a layer of cherries that have been soaked in cherry liqueur, followed by a generous amount of cool coconut whipped cream, and a shaved chocolate topping.

5. Raw Chocolate Cherry Brownies

Source: Raw Chocolate Cherry Brownies

Jesse Jane Lee‘s Raw Chocolate Cherry Brownies are the most unique take on Black Forest cake you’ll ever have. For one, they’re brownies and second; they’re raw. They are naturally sweetened with dates and dried cherries, which adds to the richness of this smooth chocolate brownie. Crunchy almonds and chewy cherries give it a texture that will leave you wanting more.

6. Black Forest Chocolate Mousse Cake

Source: Black Forest Chocolate Mousse Cake

Chocolate and cherry … quite possibly the best combination on earth. This recipe may not include the alcohol-soaked cherries and Kirschwasser of a true Black Forest cake, but it’s definitely not lacking in flavor. Some might say that chocolate mousse is not a component of a true Black Forest cake, but it should be! This combination of chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, cherries, and coconut whipped cream is going to win you over — we promise. This Black Forest Chocolate Mousse Cake by Gretchen Price!

7. Black Forest Tartlets

Source: Black Forest Tartlets

Quick & easy vegan Black Forest Tartlets by Holly Jade! The light and crumbly chocolate crust is filled with a silky smooth chocolate filling and topped with coconut whip swirls, fresh cherries, cherry puree, and chocolate shavings. The light, crumbly ‘shortbread’ base compliments the creamy filling so well. Plus, cherry and chocolate are a match made in heaven. These vegan black forest tartlets are divine!

8. Black Forest Cake Overnight Oatmeal

Source: Black Forest Cake Overnight Oatmeal

What could be better than waking up to a bowl of Lauren Smith‘s Black Forest Cake Overnight Oatmeal!

9. Black Forest Cake Trifle

Source: Black Forest Cake Trifle

This vegan Black Forest Cake Trifle by Kristen Genton is the ultimate chocolate dessert! Perfect for birthdays, holidays, get-togethers, or just any normal night. It’s so good, you won’t be able to get enough (and neither will anyone else). This cake is quite the showstopper!

10. Oil-Free Black Forest Cake

Source: Oil-Free Black Forest Cake

Black Forest cakes are just about as indulgent of a dessert as you can get. It’s made with layers of chocolate-cherry cake, with thickened coconut cream, and cherry chia jam sandwiched in between. You won’t believe this decadent cake is wheat-free, refined sugar-free, and oil-free! You have to try Kyra Howearth‘s Oil-Free Black Forest Cake!

Love chocolate and cherry on their own too? Check out 20 Dark and Decadent Chocolate Cake Recipes and 15 Sweet and Cheerful Cherry Desserts!

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental well-being, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, and prostate cancer, and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals, and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
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