If you love the softness of a delicious dark chocolate cake but the light fluffiness of a mousse, this is the recipe for you! This chocolate cake is covered in a cherry cheese mousse that’s guaranteed to make you swoon!
Icebox Desserts are Delicious!
Most people think of “icebox” desserts as pies and bars, but every now and again you stumble across a recipe for something that veers from that norm.
Such is the cake with this cake! I came up with the idea for this cherry-cream cheese-chocolate cake while looking at a recipe for a Million Dollar Cake.
I didn’t have all of the ingredients for that one. Specifically, I was missing the pineapple and mandarin oranges. So, that got me to thinking about the fruits I did have on hand.
I happened to have pie filling, so I decided to go that route.
Pie Filling for the Win!
I’ll be honest: I made up this recipe. And I’m about 2 for 3 when it comes to my made up desserts. About 2 out of every 3 actually work out. So, I kept my fingers crossed!
The cake baked up fine. I made the luscious cherry cream cheese topping and waiting for everything to chill before putting it all together.
Then came the hard part—I had to go on waiting for it to all chill together in the baking dish.
Trust me when I say this one is worth the wait! I’ll share more about my opinion later, but I’m overjoyed that this recipe came together so beautifully.
Black Forest Icebox Cake Ingredients
You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need. These are simple ingredients you might already have on hand.
FOR THE CAKE
- box of chocolate cake mix, any brand
- vegetable oil
- room temperature eggs
- water or milk
FOR THE FROSTING:
- room temperature cream cheese
- confectioners’ sugar
- cherry pie filling
- instant vanilla pudding mix
- frozen whipped topping, thawed
Make your Cake
Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prepare a 9x-13-inch baking dish by spraying with Baker’s Joy or other non-stick baking spray.
Combine eggs, water, and oil in a bowl and whisk together. (If you prefer, you can use an electric mixer.)
Add dry cake mix and whisk until it all comes together. Pour into prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. (If you like, you can line your pan with parchment paper!)
Pour batter into baking dish.
Place in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until cake springs back to the touch.
Make your Frosting
While the cake is baking, make your frosting.
Place room temperature cream cheese into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Cream until smooth and lump free.
Add powdered sugar and continue beating.
Now it’s time to add the can of cherry filling. Fold it in by hand.
Add the pudding mix. Fold in and mix by hand.
Add the full container of whipping cream. Fold in and mix by hand.
Hint: You can always make your own whipped cream using heavy cream and powdered sugar!
Your frosting is now ready! It’s a light, fluffy cherry cream cheese delight!
Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill.
When cake comes out of the oven, allow it to cool completely.
Once cake is cooled, use the prongs of a fork to make little holes in the cake.
Add chocolate syrup (chocolate ganache) to the top. You can just enough to cover the top of the cake.
Spoon frosting over the cake.
Cover and place your cake in the refrigerator a couple of hours to set up.
Cut and serve this decadent dessert!
Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to five days. You’ll want to cover with plastic wrap or place in airtight container. I don’t recommend freezing this cake.
What to Expect from this Cake
If you enjoy a classic black forest cake you’re going to love this recipe! This is a delightful icebox cake.
I think the word that comes to mind is “luscious.” This is a rich, luscious cake, filling with flavors of cherry, chocolate, and cream cheese. They all merge together into one harmonious dessert—a dessert so simple you’ll turn to it again and again.
The layer of chocolate sauce makes the cake even more moist. And the texture of that topping is amazing. It’s not as light as whipped cream, but it’s not heavy like frosting, either. It’s mousse-like, but with the addition of the cherries, it has that element of added surprise.
All in all, I’d have to say this recipe is a winner! Enjoy a big piece with a scoop of ice cream.
Variations on this Recipe
Strawberry Pie Filling: Make the recipe exactly as directed, but substitute strawberry pie filling for the cherry.
Lemon-Berry: Use a lemon cake and make the topping using blackberries or blueberries.
Spice and Peach: Use a spice cake and swap out the cherry pie filling with a can of peach. Delicious! (You won’t need any chocolate syrup for this version.)
Hawaiian: Use a golden butter cake to start, then top with this same fluffy topping, but add pineapple and (drained) maraschino cherries, along with some shredded coconut. (Yum!)
Fresh Cherries: If you like you can always use fresh cherries to decorate! You might also opt for cherry preserves.
Homemade whipped cream: As I mentioned above, you can make your own whipped cream instead of using Cool Whip.
Chocolate shavings or chocolate curls: I think this dessert would be lovely with chocolate shavings or curls on top!
Other Cherry Favorites from Out of the Box Baking
If you love cherries, we’ve got you covered. Here are some fan favorites.
Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies: If you love the combination of chocolate and cherries, have I got a treat for you! In this post I’m going to show you how to make Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies. You’re going to love these easy cookies!
Cherry Pie Bars: If you’re looking for a bar with a soft sugar cookie crust, cake-like in texture, with a rich almond and cherry flavor, have I got a treat for you! These Simple Cherry Pie Bars (Cherry Cobbler Bars) are gooey, soft, and absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Pie: This luscious No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Pie is one of the tastiest–and easiest–things I’ve ever made! You’re going to love the combination of sweet and tart, creamy and crunch. Best of all, you won’t have to bake a thing!
Easy Cake Mix Cherry Pies: If you want the flavor of a cherry pie but the ease of a quick doctored cake mix, then this is the recipe for you!
Cherry Cream Cheese Cobbler: If you’re in the mood for a luscious cherry cobbler, laced with a crunchy crust, have I got a recipe for you! This rich cobbler is packed full of flavor and topped with a crisp layer of almonds.
That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious black forest icebox cake. This is a delicious ice box bake recipe.
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Black Forest Icebox Cake
If you love the softness of a delicious dark chocolate cake but the light fluffiness of a mousse, this is the recipe for you! This chocolate cake is covered in a cherry cheese mousse that’s guaranteed to make you swoon!
Ingredients
- FOR THE CAKE
- 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 room temperature eggs
- 1 cup water or milk
- FOR THE FROSTING:
- 8 ounces room temperature cream cheese
- 1 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 (20 ounce) cherry pie filling
- 1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare your 9x13-inch dish with Baker’s Joy or other non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine eggs, water, and whisk together. Add dry cake mix and whisk until it all comes together. Pour into prepared 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Pour batter into baking dish.
- Place in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until cake springs back to the touch.
- Make your Frosting: While the cake is baking, make your frosting. Place room temperature cream cheese into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Cream until smooth and lump free.
- Add powdered sugar and continue beating.
- Now it’s time to add the can of cherry pie filling. Fold it in by hand.
- Add the pudding mix. Fold in and mix by hand.
- Add the full container of whipping cream. Fold in and mix by hand.
- Your frosting is now ready! It’s a light, fluffy cherry cream cheese delight!
- Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill.
- When cake comes out of the oven, allow it to cool completely.
- Once cake is cooled, use the prongs of a fork to make little holes in the cake. Add chocolate syrup to the top. You can just enough to cover the top of the cake.
- Spoon frosting over the cake.
- Cover and place your cake in the refrigerator a couple of hours to set up.
Cut and serve! - Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to five days. You’ll want to cover with plastic wrap or place in airtight container. I don’t recommend freezing this cake.
Lynn
Saturday 23rd of March 2024
I need a recipe for a Chocolate cake mix with strawberry jam bunt cake
booksbyjanice
Sunday 24th of March 2024
I haven't tried that one yet.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
Thursday 6th of July 2023
Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party - hope to see you again this Sunday!!
Mama’s Traditional Mandarin Orange Cake - Out of the Box Baking
Sunday 2nd of July 2023
[…] been on a roll lately making icebox cakes. One of my favorites is my Black Forest Icebox Cake. It’s beyond […]
Janetta
Monday 26th of June 2023
This cake looks sooooo good.My mouth is watering. It's definitely going to the top of the pile. Thanks!
booksbyjanice
Wednesday 28th of June 2023
Hope you enjoy it!