The best black forest cakes in Singapore

Originated in Germany, schwarzwälder kirschtorte or black forest cherry torte is popular all over the globe. Traditionally, kirschwasser, a clear brandy made from the distillation of sour morello cherries, is added to the cake.

German law requires that any dessert labelled Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte must contain kirschwasser that’s distilled in the black forest. 

A classic version of the black forest gâteau typically comprises multiple layers of chocolate sponge cake layered with whipped cream and foiled by cherry filling. It is then festooned with soft whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and juicy kirsch soaked cherries on top. 

Here are some places in Singapore where you can sink your teeth into the finest black forest cakes.

The Pine Garden

The Pine Garden is an old-school bakery with a history dating back to 1984 — so you know that they know what they’re doing when it comes to classics like the black forest cake. Its version is refreshingly simple, featuring three layers of indulgent chocolate sponge dotted with rum-soaked cherries.

The entire affair is enshrouded in dark chocolate shavings embedded on a base of pillowy cream. 

The bakery’s black forest cakes are available whole with three days’ notice. The smallest version clocks in at 0.5kg, though you can stretch that all the way to a heavyset 3kg showstopper.

Find out more here.

Rise Bakehouse

Despite the rash of recent closures plaguing Singapore’s indie cafe scene, it seems that things have been going up, up and up for Rise Bakehouse following its inception in 2022. 

Clearly, its pastel-pink aesthetic and social media-friendly bakes have been a hit with its clientele, judging by its expansion from Potong Pasir to Somerset and, most recently, Chinatown.

For now, though, we’ll set aside its ever-growing repertoire of tarts, teacakes and brunch bites and zero in on its stunning black forest cake, which features layers of dark chocolate sponge interlaced with luscious cherry jam.

Get it by the slice at its Somerset outpost, or online in various configurations, including 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch rounds, as well as a massive 15-inch-by-12-inch rectangular version.

Find out more here.

Golden Moments

Though durian dessert purveyor Golden Moments’s reputation is built on over-the-top confectioneries — think snowskin mooncakes enrobed with black winter truffle, Mao Shan Wang durian and gold foil — their take on the classic black forest cake is surprisingly restrained.

The sweet treat pairs the hallmark lashings of 55 per cent dark chocolate and tart cherry filling against the creamy bittersweet richness of everyone’s favourite stinky fruit.

Yes, this version of black forest cake comes with a layer of Mao Shan Wang durian puree — by no means traditional, but all the more delicious if you’ve got the guests and guts with a hankering for the King of Fruits.

Available as a whole 6-inch cake (600g, feeds six to eight).

Find out more here.

Patisserie Woo

Bespoke cakes, pastries and desserts are the name of the game for Patisserie Woo, a homegrown brand fronted by an ex-banker who paired her economics degree with culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu London.

The patissier offers an inspired rendition of the evergreen treat, adorned with rich, dark chocolate shavings and a shiny coat of whipped Madagascan vanilla bean cream. 

Underneath, you’ll find the usual cherries, 73 per cent dark chocolate cream and chocolate sponge — sans the customary booze. An inclusive, and dare we say, family-friendly take on black forest cake that you’ll want to keep in your back pocket for rowdier affairs.

Available in 4-inch to 10-inch rounds for pick-up at its Bukit Timah, Beauty World, and Orchard outlets. You can also grab a slice for dine-in at the lattermost location. 

Find out more here.

Sinpopo

Sinpopo’s unabashedly locavore spin on Western-style bakes, underpinned by heritage Peranakan flavours, hasn’t stopped it from dishing out a traditional black forest cake. Don’t expect any newfangled frills here, though — the bakery’s version is about as classic a composition as it gets.

Think soft chocolate sponge set against mascarpone cream, whipped kirsch, dark cherries and a generous heap of dark chocolate shards. Available in 6-inch or 8-inch whole cakes.

Find out more here.

Tigerlily Patisserie

Tigerlily at Joo Chiat is known for crafting insta-worthy cakes and pastries with a touch of finesse. Chef Maxine Ngooi’s version of blackforest cake is composed of exquisite Valrhona Tulakalum 75 per cent dark chocolate mousse, mascarpone whipped cream, light chocolate sponge and Kirsch-soaked cherries.

The cake glazed with shiny chocolate ganache is adorned with delicate chocolate leaves dusted with edible bronze powder.

Available in individual sized entremets as well as 14cm and 18cm whole cakes, which are great for gifting or celebrations.

Find out more here.

Pantler

This over 11-year-old patisserie is still going strong after it moved from Telok Ayer to River Valley. Pantler’s head chef and co-founder Tomoharu Morita continues to craft high quality products with ingredients from all around the world, along with seasonal fruits from Japan.

His black forest cake has been a mainstay on their menu since day one. The treat features French Griotte cherries soaked in kirsch and light chocolate cream sandwiched in between delicate chocolate sponge.

Embellished with kirsch-infused Chantilly, chocolate curls, and cherries, this refined version is a delicate balance of chocolate and fruit. 

Find out more here.

Violet Oon

Violet Oon’s black forest cake is a timeless recipe and perfect dessert for celebrations. Violet’s version includes decadent kirsch liquor-infused chocolate sponge with layers of brandied cherries and softly whipped kitsch cream.

The cake is festooned with juicy brandied cherries, generous shavings of chocolate, and dusting of icing sugar.

Find out more here.

Dolcetto

Over at Regent Hotel, Dolcetto presents an Italian version of this dessert. Called Ferrovia Cherry Cake, the treat consists of fluffy chocolate sponge, juicy Italian Ferrovia cherries, chocolate cream, vanilla mascarpone, and cherry wine liqueur.

The cake is crowned with large shards of chocolate flakes on top and speckled with chocolate shavings on the side. It is available for purchase via walk-ins or online.

Find out more here.

Edith Patisserie

This small patisserie offers a modern take on the black forest cake. Their rendition has moist layers of kirsch-soaked chocolate sponge, fresh cream, and Morello cherries steeped in liqueur and kirsch.

It is finished with a layer of Valrhona 66 per cent dark chocolate drizzle and adorned with gold-dusted kirsch-soaked cherries and whipped cream.

Find out more here.

Drips

This established cafe offers its own variation of this boozy treat, made of French chocolate sponge soaked in cognac, layered with fresh vanilla cream, and complemented by French brandied cherries.

The bottom layer has a welcome crunch, and the whole cake is covered in chocolate flakes.

Find out more here.