Wow your guest with these elegant Mini Black Forest Cupcakes filled with cherry-studded whipped cream and topped with a 1-minute chocolate ganache! They will be a real eyecatcher at any brunch buffet or dinner party and are so easy to make, you won’t believe it!
This Easy Mini Black Forest Cupcakes recipe is a simplified version of the German classic. It’s much quicker, easier and just as divine with a deep dark chocolate taste, creamy sweet cherry filling, and luscious chocolate ganache on top! A super simple yet impressive chocolate dessert!
I’ve heard it’s National Chocolate Day today!! Happy Chocolate Day friends. I’ve noticed it’s been quite a while since I last posted anything chocolate-y on the blog which is why I am trying to redeem myself with an extra decadent treat: Black Forest Cupcakes!
Why these Mini Black Forest Cupcakes should be part of your baking repertoire:
These Black Forest cupcakes are a real treat and a must-try for chocolate lovers and fans of Black Forest Cake.
Even if you are not crazy about Black Forest, this recipe could still be valuable to you as these can easily be personalized to your taste—think raspberries, strawberries, figs or any fruits you love with chocolate!
If you are looking for a super simple, super fancy looking dessert to serve to guests at a dinner party or brunch even, these are PERFECT.
Mini desserts – elegant to look at and easy to make:
There’s a myth that making food in mini or individual servings is harder or more time-consuming. But the truth is, it’s just the opposite.
You may spend a few extra minutes of prep work—but you save more minutes during cooking/baking.
Just take a look at those mini raspberry cheesecakes, mini chocolate pudding cakes, kale veggie mini frittatas, chocolate dipped mini pavlova, mini Brooklyn Blackout cakes, Tri-colored mini potato gratins..and you’ll know what I mean!
How to make Black Forest Cupcakes:
These start with one of my all-time favorite chocolate cakes which you’ll find in this Mini Brooklyn Blackout cakes recipe.
It’s a light as air, yet intensely chocolate-y cake! I love me a fluffy chocolate cake and this one happens to be so simple and seriously foolproof, that you can’t go wrong with it.
The filling is a classic mashed cherries with vanilla whipped cream. You can use frozen cherries or canned (I prefer frozen and thawed).
You’ll simply chop those cherries and add them to the whipped cream (which I love adding a bit of cream cheese to it for richness).
Once the cupcakes have baked, you’ll slice the tops off and using a melon baller, scoop out as much of the bottom part as you can, leaving the cupcake shape intact.
Then you’ll fill the scooped area with the sweet rich cherry mixture and place the chocolate cupcake top back over the filling. And it’s that easy and it’s that GOOD!
Now you can serve them as is for a lighter fruitier version of the Black Forest cupcakes, or you can go the extra mile ( which I strongly recommend!) and make a 1-minute chocolate ganache to drizzle over your cupcakes.
How to make a quick chocolate ganache:
The basic ganache is simple a 1:2 ratio of cream to chocolate. You’ll be melting 1/4 cup of cream with 1/2 cup of chopped chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and then whisk them together until smooth. That’s it.
Pour this luscious velvety smooth chocolate ganache over your cupcakes and you’re in for a REAL treat!
Tips for success:
- I love making these ahead of time—they keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 5 days!
- These Black Forest Cupcakes also transport quite well so make them for a potluck, brunch event, or Birthdays! And since we’re all thinking of Valentine’s Day now—how sweet and special would these be?!
- Add in chocolate chips or nuts to your fruit cream filling for a more chocolate-y cupcake. You can also go for a white chocolate ganache.
Easy Mini Black Forest Cupcakes
Wow your guest with these elegant Mini Black Forest Cupcakes filled with cherry-studded whipped cream and topped with a 1-minute chocolate ganache! They will be the eyecatcher at any brunch buffet or dinner party and are so easy to make, you won't believe it!
Ingredients
- 1 x fluffy chocolate Cake recipe from this Mini Brooklyn Blackout Cakes
For the cherry filling:
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1/3 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2/3 cup diced frozen pitted sweet cherries
Chocolate Ganache
- 1/4 cup whipping cream
- 1/2 cup chocolate pieces (or chips)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare the fluffy chocolate cake and bake into a standard muffin pan.
For the cherry filling:
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In a large bowl, add the cream, cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla. Using an electric mixer, whip up the filling until fluffy and stiff—about 2 minutes. Then gently fold in the diced cherries. Cover the cherry mixture and set in the fridge until ready to use.
Assemble:
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When the muffins are done, allow them to cool for a few minutes. Then using a small knife, slice off the tops of the muffins. Take a melon baller and scoop out some of the cake from the bottom part of the muffins while keeping the shell intact.
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Spoon about a tablespoon (more or less to taste) of the cherry filling in the bottom of each muffin bottom and place the muffin top over it.
For the ganache:
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In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the cream and chocolate then microwave for 40 seconds. Take a whisk and whisk the chocolate until smooth. Let the chocolate ganache cool for a couple of minutes (the ganache will thicken as it cools). Spoon a tablespoon (more or less to taste) of the chocolate ganache mixture over each of the muffin tops. Enjoy 🙂
Recipe Notes
- I love making these ahead of time—they keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 5 days!
- These Black Forest Cupcakes also transport quite well so make them for a potluck, brunch event, or Birthdays! And since we’re all thinking of Valentine's Day now—how sweet and special would these be?!
- Add in chocolate chips or nuts to your fruit cream filling for a more chocolaty cupcake. You can also go for a white chocolate ganache
These little cupcakes look so cute and divine. looking forward to trying it.
Thanks Mirlene, hope you make them!
Oh man you had me at cherry 🙂 And that one ganache topping has to be one of the most beautiful things I have seen! I could eat an entire tray to myself, it is the perfect dessert for my sweet tooth.
Thanks Melissa!!
Oh man… I’m obsessed with cherries and black forest flavor combo. Never tried making mini black forest cupcakes … what a excellent idea. Looks fab. Will save this recipe and give it a try.
Thanks Natalie!! It really is super easy!
I’m a sucker for cupcakes but the problem for me is I can’t stop at one! These are totally irresistible and they look fabulous!
hahah Tammy, these are a dessert/cupcake all in one!
I love black forest desserts! The filling in these looks so creamy and delicious. I am also loving that beautiful chocolate glaze!
The filling is just perfect with the chocolate!!
These are absolutely gorgeous!! I love that they seem kinda easy to make as well – I’m not a very talented baker so love when I can make something that looks advanced, but is not 😉
That’s exactly what this is Emmeline! Super fancy but shamefully easy!
i am drooling over these cupcakes. love the chocolate and cherries together – these are perfect for valentine’s day!
They really are Danielle!
Oh my! These were perfect! I will often bring cupcakes or muffins to work, but never a cake, because they are just too darn difficult to transport. These were a big hit! I didn’t tell my coworkers they were cupcakes, I just called them individual black forest cakes. Thank you – they were delicious!
Byron thanks so much for letting me know–so happy you enjoyed them!! 🙂
I love black forest and these sounds so delicious. I love the pretty pink filling. Definitely wanna try this recipe.
hope you do!!
Oooh! The cupcakes look so good — they remind me of Ding Dongs. I do like individual desserts – they seem more personal rather than a slice. I can almost taste that rich chocolate and it’s making my mouth water.
I love mini desserts too!
Oh yum! My whole family would go crazy for these! Love Love Love this recipe! I’m sure these tastes are amazing! So YUMMY!
Thanks Dan!! Hope you try them
Wow! What a creative cupcake recipe! These look absolutely delicious – I bet my kids will love them!
They’re a crowd pleaser!!
Thanks Britt! You made my day!