Black Forest Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

Black Forest Cake with Mascarpone Frosting combines a rich chocolate cake with cherries and a creamy buttercream frosting.

When I decided to make this Black Forest Cake with Mascarpone Frosting during the season of Valentine's Day, I certainly hoped if you are looking for a fantastic cake for that day that you will consider this one, it's worthy. But it's also not just for one day!

While I do like to make something sweet and chocolatey that fits the theme of the event; I learned the hard way to not make a delicious dessert focused on one day. I did that one year for these Pots de Creme and they are really too wonderful to be ignored on the other 364 days. Never again I say!

This may not look like that your standard Black Forest Cake and there is one significant difference. Instead of combining a chocolate cake with layers of cherries with whipped cream, I've frosted it with a mascarpone cheese buttercream.

I made this cake in the spirit of a Black Forest Cake and it has the same elegance but it also has more staying power. I made this for a friend's 50th birthday recently, hence the 5 candles, and I needed to make it in the morning, transport it to her house, and have it still be perfect for after dinner.

That can be more difficult with whipped cream so I went the mascarpone cheese route and she thought is perfect! If you are not yet familiar with mascarpone cheese; it is similar to cream cheese. The difference is that it's lighter, smoother, and with a less tangy flavor. It has become my preferred addition to frostings.

I love making cakes but that being said, I seldom do many anymore. Not because I can't find willing eaters but because I seem to make them complicated enough they are a full day job. As much fun as that is, I struggle finding the time. So I went into this with a game plan.

Chocolate cake I know and love? Check. Simple frosting combining mascarpone cheese and buttercream frosting? Check. Fresh cherries? Check. But uh oh...damn the ones I had planned to use were past their prime so first snafu required a trip to the grocery store. Doesn't that always happen?

Still not that big of a deal. But then I realized I was also out of my favorite cherry jam but of course not before that trip to the market!

Luckily I had plenty of time and knew I could whip something together pretty quick so I still wasn't deterred, I had all weekend to get it done and I would get on it first thing Saturday for sure.

Except...my friend Amy from across the street asked me if I wanted to join her and her mom at a local production of 'The Full Monty' on Saturday afternoon. I almost reneged but thought, 'No...I deserve a break today!' so went with them and am so glad I did. We laughed so hard it hurt!

I did get the cake layers made and in the freezer...so check and check. I was feeling pretty good about that, heck it meant I had all day Sunday to simply frost and put together a cake. Easy Peasy. Not exactly really. I'm a pill, that's a full day job under the best of circumstances!

Ever had one of those days? The phone ringing off the hook, the constant doorbell interruptions, the missing ingredients...I won't deny I was a bit stressed but I stayed on track and was good to go; I was not going to let a cake crack me!

Was it worth it? I have to admit, this is one fine cake. Chocolate and Cherry in a Black Forest Cake and the smooth richness of the mascarpone in the buttercream frosting kicked it up a notch.

I really love using mascarpone cheese in a frosting; it adds both a richness and depth of flavor without really making the frosting taste like cheese. I also think buttercream can be too sweet; blending it with mascarpone tones that down just enough to make it perfect.

The fresh cherries made it. It would be quicker with a jar of jam, the the results of the two were so worth it. The hint of both Amaretto and Kirsch was just enough. If you have to choose one or the other, that's fine. And if you don't want the ingredients to get too spendy; make sure you check the liquor store for the smaller bottles of liqueurs...they can be the perfect size for something you might not need for another use.

This was a smash; the birthday girl loved it, and yes, I did bring a bowl of whipped cream and we scooped some on top. I had hoped to bring a slice home but it was not to be...everyone clamored for seconds.

So...birthday, anniversary, or yes, Valentine's Day, this is a special and delicious cake for any celebration.

If you love the Black Forest combination like I do, you might also try these Black Forest Ice Cream Sundaes; there were amazing!

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