Black Forest Skillet Cake

We’ve simplified this classic German dessert so that you can easily enjoy a delicious dessert prepared on your grill!

Black Forest Cake Recipe

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 1 box (15 oz) chocolate cake mix
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
• 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup dried cherries
• 1/4 cup brandy

For the whipped cream:

• 1 pint heavy whipping cream
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cherry infused brandy

For the chocolate drizzle:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions

Combine the dried cherries and brandy in mason jar or glass. Let soak overnight. Drain and reserve the cherry infused brandy.

Preheat your Yoder Smokers YS640 pellet grill to 350°F.

Combine cake mix with cherry pie filling, melted butter, eggs and brandied cherries. Whisk together until no dry spots remain. Pour into a greased Lodge Logic 12” cast iron skillet. Spread evenly.

Transfer to the cooker and bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes. Let cake cool to room temperature.

In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), whisk the whipping cream until thickened. Add the sugar and continue whisking until soft peaks are formed. Add the cherry infused brandy (reserved from earlier), and continue whisking until stiff peaks are formed. Spread whipped cream over the cake

Melt the chocolate chips and 2 tbsp butter in the microwave, stirring every 30-60 seconds until smooth. Drizzle the chocolate over the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Traditionally the German Black Forest cherry-torte includes kirschwasser, a spirit made from cherries. We’re putting a twist on that by adding brandied cherries. That is, dried cherries that have been rehydrated in brandy. This lends a little of the booziness while letting you enjoy the cherry flavor.

This is how simple this recipe is. Box cake mix. Leave out the water. Replace with cherry pie filling. You’ll get more moisture and more flavor in the cake. Win. Win.

After the cake is baked it needs to be cooled completely, so we don’t melt the whipped cream.

Add an easy chocolate sauce, slightly cooled to prevent melting and refrigerate before serving. That’s it!