This creamy and fruity White Forest Dream Cake is my own twist on the classic dark cherry-and-chocolate pairing, lightened up with ground walnuts, vanilla custard filling, whipped cream, and white chocolate. It’s soft, delicate, and full of gentle textures and flavors. Each bite melts on your tongue with just the right balance of sweetness and fruitiness.
Ingredients:
6 large eggs
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
9 tablespoons ground walnuts
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Butter or oil for greasing the pans
You’ll bake two sponge layers (round or square), lined with parchment paper.
Filling:
4 cups whole milk
9 tablespoons cornstarch
10 packets vanilla sugar (or 10 teaspoons)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
Additional Ingredients:
7 oz (200 g) white chocolate, grated
10.5 oz (300 g) heavy whipping cream, whipped
1 jar sour cherries or cherries in light syrup, well-drained (keep the juice)
Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for brightness)
A few chopped blanched almonds (optional, for crunch)
Instructions:
Beat the eggs with sugar until thick and pale. Gently fold in the ground walnuts, flour, vanilla, and baking powder. Pour into a parchment-lined baking pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15–18 minutes. Repeat to make a second layer. Let both layers cool completely.
In a saucepan, cook the milk with cornstarch and vanilla sugar until thick like pudding. Cool it completely, then beat in the butter and powdered sugar until creamy and smooth. Stir in lemon zest if using.
Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Grate the white chocolate and drain the cherries, reserving their juice.
Place the first sponge layer on a platter and brush it generously with cherry juice. Spread half the vanilla filling, then add half the cherries, half the whipped cream, and half the white chocolate. Optionally, sprinkle chopped almonds over the layer for crunch.
Repeat the layers with the second sponge: soak, spread, and top with remaining filling, cherries, cream, and chocolate. Finish with a smooth layer of whipped cream and decorate with extra cherries and white chocolate curls.
