Easy White Forest Cake Recipe
If you love white chocolate, this Easy White Forest Cake recipe is for you. From the moist white chocolate cake to the layers of cherry pie filling and whipped topping…every single bite is perfect.
Table of Contents
For years I had only been introduced to a black forest cake and had no clue that there was a white chocolate version.
This white chocolate cake recipe is an excellent way to have the best of both worlds in a cherry dessert that everyone will love. For black forest cake recipe, try this Black Forest Cookie Cup.
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What is the difference between a White Forest and Black Forest Cake?
The only difference between a white and black forest cake is the cake flavor. A white forest cake has a white chocolate cake, while a traditional black forest cake has a chocolate cake.
For the most part the cakes are very similar. In fact, both varieties are filled {or topped} with cherries and whipped cream.
What goes into this Recipe
- White Cake Mix- The perfect start to a moist and delicious cake recipe. Using a boxed cake mix means you don’t need to worry about measuring dry ingredients.
- White Chocolate Pudding Mix- Adds a tasty white chocolate flavor and keeps the cake super moist.
- Milk- For a rich flavor milk is added instead of water.
- White Chocolate Chips- The perfect addition for more white chocolate flavor. Chopped white chocolate can also be used.
- Cherry Pie Filling- An easy way to get the iconic cherry element of the cake without any added steps. I also use them for this No Bake Cherry Cheesecake recipe.
- Whipped Topping- Cool Whip from the frozen section of the grocery store is my favorite kind but any whipped topping works well.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
Whipped Cream- To make your own homemade whipped cream, combine 1 cup of heavy cream with 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix using an electric mixer to combine the ingredients until stiff peaks form.
Cake Batter- Add a half teaspoon of almond extract to the batter or the cherry filling for a deeper cherry flavor.
Toppings- There are so many ways to make the top of the cake look amazing. Try adding cherry syrup with a teaspoon of cherry liquor or reserve some of the cherry sauce to add to each slice.
It is also gorgeous to add a bit of white chocolate. You can make white chocolate curls by using melted white chocolate instead of the chocolate shavings.
Other Ideas- Instead of whipped topping, try using a whipped white chocolate ganache, white chocolate frosting or whipped cream frosting to the top of the fluffy vanilla cake.
How to make an Easy White Forest Cake
- Combine the cake ingredients {cake mix, pudding mix, whole eggs, milk and vegetable oil} in a large mixing bowl. Mix together using an electric mixer {or a stand mixer} until you have a thick batter.
- The next step is to pour the cake batter into a 9×13 baking pan that has been liberally sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Finally, sprinkle the white chocolate chips over the even layer of cake batter.
- Bake the cake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs {but no raw batter}. Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Once the cake is cooled, add the cherry pie filling to the top of the cake in an even layer.
- Top the cherry filling with whipped topping and spread in an even layer to the edge of the cake using an offset spatula.
- To finish, cut the cake into 12 squares and top each square with white chocolate shavings and cherries.
Expert Tips
- Serve the cake from the pan. There is no need to line your pan with parchment paper. Serving it from the pan makes things so much simpler and it is still a show stopping sheet cake!
- Don’t skip adding the white chocolate chips to the cake. Not only do they add extra flavor but they also add a great texture.
- Top the cake with fresh cherries if they are in season. This simple step gives the top of the cake a beautiful finishing touch.
- Add white chocolate shavings to the top of the cake. To make them, grab a white chocolate bar and a vegetable peeler.
- Serve the white chocolate cake chilled. While this cake is also amazing once it is freshly frosted, serving it chilled gives everything an amplified flavor and great texture.
Storing and Freezing
Store- To store this cake either cover with plastic wrap or put it into a good airtight container. The great news is that this dessert will stay fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Because of the whipped topping this cake should not be kept at room temperature.
Freeze- Wrap the cake tightly with a couple layers of plastic wrap and freeze this cake for up to 3 months.
The best way to freeze this cake would be without the cherry topping and whipped cream. To serve, defrost the cake and then add the toppings.
Recipe FAQs
It has been said that this cake was named for the Black Forest mountain range in Germany but that is not exactly accurate.
The real reason it is called a forest cake is because it is named after a specialty liquor from that region which is distilled from tart cherries.
Absolutely! For an easy showstopper, use a bundt pan and bake for 40-45 minutes. If you prefer a layer cake, use 2, 8-inch cake pans {bake for 25-30 minutes}.
This recipe can also be made into 22-24 cupcakes. Bake them for 20-25 minutes and top as directed.
If you have a great homemade cherry filling recipe go for it! The canned version is great because of the ease and guaranteed great taste.
A good cherry compote can also be used in place of the pie filling.
To make easy chocolate shavings all you need is a good quality white chocolate bar {you can find the baking section of the grocery store}. Use a vegetable peeler to scrape off the edge of the candy bar and it will create gorgeous shavings.
I like to scrape the chocolate onto a paper plate or paper towel and then place them onto the cake. This allows you to have a bit more control over how the top of the cake looks.
Do you love easy cake recipes? Try these…
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Easy White Forest Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box white cake mix {15.25 ounces}
- 1 box white chocolate pudding mix {3.25 ounces}
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips {optional}
Toppings
- 21 ounces cherry pie filling
- 8 ounces whipped topping
- white chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Combine the white cake mix and white chocolate pudding mix in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add the eggs, milk and vegetable oil to the bowl and mix using an electric mixer {or by hand}. Mix until all of the ingredients are nicely incorporated and the batter is thick.
- Spray a 9×13 baking pan liberally with cooking spray. Add the cake batter to the prepared pan and sprinkle the top with white chocolate chips.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs. Cool cake completely in the pan.
- Once the cake is cooled, top with the can of cherries and whipped topping. Garnish with white chocolate shavings and fresh cherries {if desired}.
Video
Notes
- Serve the cake from the pan. There is no need to line your pan with parchment paper. Serving it from the pan makes things so much simpler and it is still a show stopping sheet cake!
- Top the cake with fresh cherries if they are in season. This simple step gives the top of the cake a beautiful finishing touch.
- Instead of whipped topping, try using a whipped white chocolate ganache, white chocolate frosting or whipped cream frosting to the top of the fluffy vanilla cake.
- Serve the white chocolate cake chilled. While this cake is also amazing once it is freshly frosted, serving it chilled gives everything an amplified flavor and great texture.
- Add a half teaspoon of almond extract to the batter or the cherry filling for a deeper cherry flavor.
- Use a bundt pan and bake for 40-45 minutes. If you prefer a layer cake, use 2, 8-inch cake pans {bake for 25-30 minutes}. This recipe can also be made into 22-24 cupcakes. Bake them for 20-25 minutes and top as directed.
