Delicious & Light: Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake – Your 5-Point Dessert Dream
Indulge in a classic without the guilt with this incredible Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake recipe, clocking in at just 5 WW points per serving! This isn’t just any lightened-up dessert; it’s a truly decadent experience featuring rich, moist chocolate cake, fluffy whipped topping, and a burst of sweet-tart cherry filling. Designed for ease and enjoyment, this recipe proves that you don’t have to compromise on flavor when striving for your wellness goals.
Our chocolate cake is lovingly crafted from scratch, but with smart swaps that keep it light and delicious. We opt for alternative sweeteners and unsweetened applesauce, which brilliantly replaces traditional oil, ensuring a tender crumb without the added fat and calories. The result is a deep, chocolatey foundation that forms the perfect base for this iconic German dessert.
To streamline your baking process, this recipe cleverly uses a pre-made, no-sugar-added cherry pie filling. This simple shortcut saves time without sacrificing taste, delivering that essential sweet cherry layer. The luxurious vanilla frosting is equally effortless, combining sugar-free Jello pudding mix, fat-free whipped topping, and nonfat Greek yogurt. This trio creates a light, airy, and creamy mousse-like texture that beautifully balances the intensity of the chocolate cake and the vibrant cherries.
Constructed as a stunning layered cake, you’ll bake two 9-inch rounds, then artfully stack them with generous layers of the creamy vanilla topping and luscious cherry filling between and on top. The final presentation is nothing short of impressive: bright red cherries glistening against a backdrop of pristine white frosting and the deep, inviting hue of the chocolate cake. This dessert masterfully achieves the perfect harmony of being both light and utterly indulgent, making it a showstopper for any occasion. If you adore baking delightful cakes like this, be sure to explore my baking recipe collection for more low-point treats!
Why This Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake is a Must-Try
This lightened-up Black Forest Cake isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience. Here are compelling reasons why this cake deserves a spot in your baking repertoire:
- It’s great for parties and special occasions. With its striking visual appeal and classic flavor profile, this lovely cake is guaranteed to be the centerpiece of any gathering. The vibrant contrast of dark chocolate, white cream, and bright red cherries makes it incredibly Instagram-worthy, ensuring your guests will be as impressed by its beauty as they are by its delicious taste.
- It tastes as great as it looks! Don’t let the “lightened-up” label fool you. This cake delivers all the rich, decadent flavors you expect from a traditional Black Forest Cake. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of deep chocolate, sweet and juicy cherries, and a wonderfully creamy vanilla topping. You’ll find yourself reaching for another slice, completely forgetting it’s a low-point option!
- It’s low in points, keeping you on track. Following a Weight Watchers plan doesn’t mean giving up your favorite desserts. This recipe is meticulously crafted to offer that indulgent experience while adhering to your wellness goals, with each generous slice counting for just 5 WW points. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your progress, proving that healthy eating can still be incredibly rewarding and delicious.
Recipe Snapshot: Quick Details for Your Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake
Get ready to bake with these essential details at a glance. This recipe is designed to be approachable, making it perfect for both seasoned bakers and those new to lightened-up desserts.
- Serving Size: A satisfying 1 slice (approximately 150g)
- Number of Servings: This recipe yields 9 generous slices, perfect for sharing or enjoying throughout the week.
- Prep Time: Just 30 minutes of active preparation time gets this delicious cake ready for the oven.
- Cook Time: The cakes bake to perfection in 22-27 minutes.
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour from start to finish (excluding cooling time), making it a manageable baking project.
- WW Points Per Serving: A fantastic 5 WW points per slice (Click here to view the recipe in the WW app. WW login is required).
Ingredients for Your Lightened-Up Black Forest Cake
Crafting this delicious Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake involves selecting ingredients that deliver maximum flavor with mindful nutrition. Here’s what you’ll need for both the luscious toppings and the rich chocolate cake batter:
For the creamy and sweet toppings:
These ingredients come together to create the signature light vanilla mousse-like frosting and the delightful cherry layer that defines a classic Black Forest Cake. We’ve chosen fat-free and sugar-free options to keep the points low without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- 1 cup Nonfat plain Greek yogurt (adds tang and protein to the topping, making it richer)
- 8 oz container Fat-free whipped topping (provides essential lightness and creaminess for the frosting)
- 1 package (1 oz) vanilla Sugar-free Jello pudding mix (thickens the topping and infuses it with vanilla flavor)
- 1 can (20 oz) No-sugar-added cherry pie filling (the sweet-tart backbone of the cherry layer)
- 1 can (14 oz) Sweet dark cherries, drained (for added texture and intense cherry flavor within the filling)
For the rich and moist chocolate cake batter:
This cake is a true scratch-made marvel, but with smart modifications. Applesauce replaces oil for a lighter, equally moist crumb, and a granulated sugar replacement ensures the sweetness without the added sugar points. The cocoa powder ensures a deep, intense chocolate flavor.
- 2 cups All-purpose flour (the structural foundation of our cake)
- 1 ½ cups Granulated sugar replacement (use a 1:1 replacement for sweetness without added calories)
- 2 ¼ tsp Baking powder (for lift and tenderness)
- 1 tsp Baking soda (reacts with cocoa for added rise and a tender texture)
- ½ tsp Salt (enhances all the flavors, especially the chocolate)
- 2 Eggs (bind ingredients and add richness)
- ⅔ cup Unsweetened applesauce (our secret ingredient for moisture, replacing oil)
- 1 cup Unsweetened almond milk (a light liquid component)
- ½ cup Hot water (helps to bloom the cocoa powder, intensifying chocolate flavor)
- ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder (for that deep, dark chocolate essence)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake
Follow these detailed steps to create your exquisite low-point Black Forest Cake. Precision and patience are key to achieving the perfect texture and presentation.
- Prepare your baking environment and cake batter: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two 9-inch round baking pans by lining their bottoms with parchment paper and lightly greasing the sides. This ensures easy removal and a clean finish. To start the cake batter, combine the hot water and unsweetened cocoa powder in a small bowl, stirring until a smooth, thick paste forms. This step, known as “blooming” the cocoa, intensifies its chocolate flavor. Set this cocoa paste aside to cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar replacement, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure they are well combined. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: eggs, unsweetened applesauce, and unsweetened almond milk. Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing with a spatula or electric mixer on low speed until just combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake. Finally, gently fold in the prepared cocoa paste until it’s fully incorporated and the batter is a uniform, rich brown color.
2. Bake and cool the cake layers: Evenly distribute the prepared chocolate cake batter between the two lined 9-inch round pans. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 22 to 27 minutes. You’ll know the cakes are done when they spring back lightly to the touch in the center, or when a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Avoid overbaking, as this can dry out the cake. Once baked, remove the pans from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes before attempting to unmold them. This crucial cooling period prevents the cakes from crumbling. After this initial cooling, carefully invert the cakes onto the wire rack, remove the parchment paper, and allow them to cool completely to room temperature. This complete cooling is vital before adding any topping, especially whipped cream, which can melt on warm cake.
3. Prepare the vanilla topping and cherry filling: While the cakes are cooling, prepare the delicious fillings. For the light vanilla topping, combine the nonfat plain Greek yogurt, vanilla sugar-free Jello pudding mix, and fat-free whipped topping in a large bowl. Gently fold and mix these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and noticeably thickened, resembling a delightful mousse. Set this aside in the refrigerator. For the cherry filling, simply combine the canned no-sugar-added cherry pie filling with the drained sweet dark cherries in a separate bowl. Stir gently to ensure the whole cherries are evenly distributed within the pie filling. This combination creates a perfect balance of texture and intense cherry flavor.
4. Assemble the first layer: Once the cake layers are completely cool, you can optionally level them by carefully slicing off any domed tops with a serrated knife. While not strictly necessary, this creates a neater, more professional-looking cake and a more stable base for stacking. Place one cooled cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread approximately half of the prepared vanilla filling evenly over the top surface of this bottom cake. Next, carefully spread half of the cherry mixture on top of the vanilla filling, leaving a small border around the edge to prevent it from oozing out when the next layer is added.
5. Complete the cake assembly: Gently place the second cake layer directly on top of the cherry and vanilla fillings. Once again, spread the remaining half of the vanilla filling over the top of this second cake layer, ensuring full coverage. Finally, spoon and spread the remaining half of the cherry mixture over the top, creating a vibrant and appealing crown for your Black Forest Cake. For an extra flourish, you can garnish with a few fresh cherries or a sprinkle of sugar-free chocolate shavings. Your magnificent, low-point Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake is now ready to be chilled and enjoyed!
Customizing Your Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake: Variations and Substitutions
This Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences or dietary needs. Here are some popular variations and substitutions:
- Milk Substitute: While unsweetened almond milk is recommended for its low-calorie profile, you have flexibility. Feel free to use fat-free or reduced-fat dairy milk, or other plant-based alternatives like soy milk or oat milk. Just remember that swapping milk types might slightly alter the point value in your WW recipe builder, so be sure to recalculate if you’re tracking strictly.
- Sugar Vs. Replacement: This recipe utilizes a 1:1 granulated sugar replacement to keep the WW points significantly lower. If you prefer to use real sugar, the points per serving will increase considerably due to the higher calorie content of sugar. However, you can still enjoy the cake by cutting smaller serving sizes to help manage the WW points per portion. Simply use the same volumetric amount of real sugar as the sweetener replacement.
- Black Forest Cake with Coconut: For those who love a tropical twist and have a few extra points to spare, a sprinkle of raw or toasted coconut flakes on top of the cake can add a delightful texture and flavor dimension. To toast coconut, spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.
- Lower the Points Even Further: If you’re looking to reduce the points even more, there are a couple of tricks. Instead of mixing the Jello pudding with whipped topping and Greek yogurt, you can prepare the sugar-free Jello pudding mix with fat-free milk according to package directions. This will result in a looser, more pudding-like consistency rather than a fluffy mousse, but it will be lower in points. Additionally, cutting the cake into smaller slices (e.g., 12 instead of 9) or slightly reducing the amount of cherry pie filling used can also help lower the point value per serving.
- Homemade Cherry Filling: For the ultimate from-scratch experience, you can absolutely make a homemade cherry filling. This allows for control over sweetness and ingredients. You can use fresh or frozen cherries (thawed and drained), cooking them down with a small amount of cornstarch or arrowroot powder for thickening, and your preferred low-calorie sweetener. Just be mindful of any added sugar if you’re tracking points.
Expert Tips & Tricks for a Perfect Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake
Achieving a show-stopping Black Forest Cake is easier than you think with these helpful tips and tricks. Pay attention to these details for the best possible results:
- Cooling is Crucial: This is perhaps the most important tip! Make sure to let your cake layers cool entirely and completely before you even think about applying the whipped topping. If the cakes are even slightly warm, the fat-free whipped topping will begin to melt and lose its fluffy structure, leading to a messy and less appealing cake. Patience here will be rewarded with a beautifully layered dessert.
- Leveling for Perfection: While not strictly essential for taste, cutting the tops of your cake layers to level them creates a much more polished and professional presentation. A flat surface ensures that your filling layers sit evenly, preventing them from sliding off or creating an uneven stack. Use a long, serrated knife and a steady hand to gently saw across the top of any domed layers.
- Sheet Cake Option: If you prefer a simpler dessert that’s easier to serve at a casual gathering, you can absolutely adapt this recipe to make a sheet cake. Instead of two 9-inch round pans, pour all the batter into a 9×13 inch baking pan. The baking time might need slight adjustment, so keep an eye on it and use the toothpick test for doneness.
- Proper Storage for Leftovers: Due to the inclusion of perishable ingredients like whipped topping and fresh or canned fruit, it is imperative to store any leftover Black Forest Cake in the refrigerator. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight cake carrier to maintain its freshness and prevent it from drying out or absorbing other food odors. The cake is best enjoyed within 3-4 days.
- Avoid Overbaking: Chocolate cakes, especially those with reduced fat, can become dry very quickly if overbaked. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the recommended baking time (around 22 minutes). A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter.
- Timely Unmolding: Similar to overbaking, leaving the cake in the hot pan for too long after baking can also contribute to dryness. Once out of the oven, allow the cakes to cool in their pans for about 10-15 minutes, then carefully unmold them onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely. This allows steam to escape and prevents the cake from becoming soggy on the bottom while still warm.
- Gentle Mixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients for the cake batter, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tougher, chewier cake. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
Black Forest Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup Nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 8 oz container Fat-free whipped topping
- 1 package, 1 oz vanilla Sugar-free jello pudding mix
- 1 can, 20 oz No-sugar-added cherry pie filling
- 1 can, 14 oz Sweet dark cherries, drained
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups Granulated sugar replacement, use a 1:1 replacement
- 2 ¼ tsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- ½ tsp Salt
- 2 Eggs
- ⅔ cup Unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup Unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup Hot water
- ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F and line two 9-inch round pans with parchment paper. To make the cake batter, first, mix the hot water and cocoa together to make a paste and set aside. Then, separately mix together the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in the other. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until smooth. Then, fold in the cocoa paste until a smooth batter forms.
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Distribute the cake batter between the two pans. Bake the cakes for 22 to 27 minutes or until they spring back when touched. If you insert a toothpick into the cakes, it should come out clean. Allow the cakes to cool.
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Meanwhile, to make the vanilla topping, mix the Greek yogurt, pudding mix, and whipped topping together until smooth and thickened. For the cherry filling, combine the canned filling with the drained, loose cherries.
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If preferred, cut the cakes to level them. To assemble the cakes, first spread about half of the vanilla filling onto the top of the bottom cake. Then, spread half of the cherry mixture on top.
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Set the second cake on top, then repeat with the two fillings to complete the cake.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
More Delish Low-Point Desserts to Try
If you loved this Weight Watchers Black Forest Cake, you’re in for a treat! Explore more delightful, low-point baking creations that perfectly blend indulgence with smart eating. Expand your dessert repertoire with these fantastic recipes:
- WW Mud Cake: Dive into the rich, fudgy goodness of a mud cake, reinvented to fit your Weight Watchers plan. This dessert is incredibly decadent, proving that “healthy” doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. It’s the perfect treat for serious chocolate lovers looking for a satisfying, low-point option.
- Coconut Raspberry Chocolate Cake: Experience a symphony of flavors with this unique chocolate cake. The tropical sweetness of coconut pairs beautifully with the tartness of raspberries, all enveloped in a rich chocolate base. It’s an elegant and refreshing alternative for any occasion.
- Mini Cherry Pies: If you adore the cherry element of Black Forest Cake but prefer a smaller, individual serving, these adorable mini cherry pies are a must-try. They are perfectly portioned, incredibly cute, and bursting with sweet cherry flavor, making them ideal for picnics, parties, or a personal treat.
Happy baking, and enjoy your guilt-free indulgence!