Black Forest Pave: The Ultimate Layered Dessert Recipe

If you love desserts that perfectly balance flavor and ease, this Black Forest Pave is the ultimate choice. This recipe brings all the sophistication of a classic Black Forest cake but with the convenience of a “pave” (an icebox-style dessert assembled in a baking dish), making it easy to prepare and stunning to serve. It’s also a fantastic way to transform pantry staples into a spectacular treat. Imagine soft, moist chocolate cake layers interspersed with silky whipped cream, juicy cherries, and a touch of chocolate shavings. Does that sound delicious? Keep reading to learn how to make this show-stopping dessert that is sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients for your Black Forest Pave:

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup high-quality cocoa powder
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 10 oz heavy whipping cream (chilled)
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup powdered milk (like Nido)
• Jarred maraschino or dark cherries in syrup, to taste
• Fresh strawberries, to taste
• Chocolate shavings, for garnish

How to make Black Forest Pave:

1. In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat the eggs until they double in volume. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2. Add the water and oil, alternating with the cocoa powder. Mix well. Don’t worry if the batter seems quite thin; it will bake into a perfectly moist and fluffy cake.
3. Gradually fold in the flour and, finally, the baking powder. Stir gently until just combined.
4. Pour the batter into two greased 11×9 inch baking pans. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for approximately 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. While the cake cools, prepare the cream. In a bowl, whip the heavy cream with the condensed milk and powdered milk until stiff peaks form.
6. Once the cakes are cool, cut them into layers. Assemble your Black Forest Pave in a large serving dish: add a layer of cake, moisten it with a little cherry syrup, spread a generous layer of the cream, and sprinkle with chopped cherries.
7. Repeat the layers until you finish with a final layer of whipped cream. Decorate with chocolate shavings, whole cherries, and fresh strawberries.

Pro Tips:

For an extra special touch, brush the cake layers with a mix of milk and cocoa powder or a dash of cherry liqueur. This adds depth and ensures the cake stays incredibly moist. If you’re serving adults, a splash of Kirsch (cherry brandy) in the syrup is traditional! Making the pave a few hours ahead of time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and makes it easier to slice. If you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute it with whipped mascarpone or a stabilized heavy whipping cream mixture.

Prep time:

Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Yields:

10 to 12 servings.

Did you know?

The Black Forest cake originates from the Black Forest region in Germany, renowned for its cherry production and the traditional Kirschwasser (cherry brandy). While the original cake is iconic, this Black Forest Pave is a delightful Brazilian-inspired twist, turning the classic flavors into an easy-to-serve, layered icebox dessert. The word “pave” comes from the French “pavage,” meaning “pavement,” referencing the structured layers of the dessert. It’s the perfect way to blend international tradition with modern, home-cook creativity!