These low carb black forest cupcakes are utterly delicious and addictive. Moist low carb chocolate cupcakes, filled with a chocolate ganache and a luscious cherry, then topped with whipped cream with a cherry on the top are the ultimate low carb & gluten free cupcake.
Low carb black forest cupcakes are a dessert in themselves that also looks pretty and inviting. Bring a batch to a gathering and watch them disappear!
Black forest cake is a cake from my childhood and has a link to my German heritage where my grandmother came from. When my German great-grand Mother from Hamburg used to visit (I was lucky to have both my grandparents and great-grand parents alive as a child), bottles of Kirsch, a sweet cherry liquor would appear. A black forest cake would then be made! Layers of chocolate sponge, cream and cherries soaked in Kirsch was a family favourite.
Rather than baking a low carb black forest cake which I knew in advance we WOULD eat in one sitting if it was delicious, I decided to bake cupcakes inspired by the black forest cake. A divine combination of chocolate, cherries and cream was created!
After baking a batch of these low carb black forest cupcakes, I took these to my art class as there was no way that I could have trusted myself and the Chief Taster to not eat the whole batch that evening. When I bake a lot of desserts, I remove them from the house for our own safety. This took a lot of will power after I had taste tested the first cupcake.
How to Make Black Forest Cupcakes
I used coconut flour to make the chocolate cupcakes as it’s my preferred low carb flour for desserts. Almond flour could be used instead, and I would use about 1 ½ cups of almond flour for this recipe.
I make the chocolate ganache first so that it has a chance to thicken before using as the cupcake filling. It can be made ahead a day before with any left over to be used as a cupcake frosting or even as a filling in a low carb crepe.
You could add a sprinkle of rum to the chocolate cupcakes once the well has been made. This only occurred to me after I munched my 2nd cupcake so I will be doing that for the next batch!
How Do You Thicken Chocolate Ganache?
If the chocolate ganache does not thicken after cooling, whip it for a few minutes. It has cream in it, and the whipping process will add air into it. A whipped ganache can also make a delicious cupcake frosting.
What Cherries to Use?
I used fresh dark black cherries and removed the stone. You could use frozen sour cherries and defrost them. However, with all frozen berries, check the label for any additional sugar. Most canned cherries have sweetener but there may be a brand out there suitable for use. I'm on a small island with limited supplies!
Visual Stages of Making Black Forest Cupcakes
Bake chocolate cupcake 
Cut a well into cupcake 
Place cherry in well 
Fill well with ganache 
Replace removed sponge 
Pipe cream on top & add cherry
OTHER CUPCAKES TO BAKE:
Black Forest Cupcakes
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Ingredients
Cupcake
- ½ cup coconut flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder unsweetened
- ½ cup butter, softened unsalted
- ½ cup erythritol any low carb sweetener
- 4 medium eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup coconut milk tinned
Chocolate Ganache
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chocolate chips high cocoa solids
Topping
- ½ cup whipped cream whipped into peaks
- 10 cherries, de-stoned for filling
- 10 cherries, with stalks for decoration
Instructions
Make the Ganache
- Place the chocolate chips in a bowl
- Heat the cream until it’s simmering and remove from the heat before it boils
- Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and stand for 2 minutes.
- Stir until all the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
Make the Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 180C/375F degrees.
- In a bowl, whisk the butter and erythritol until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time.
- Add the coconut flour, cocoa powder, coconut milk, baking powder and salt and whisk until smooth.
- Line a muffin tin with 10 cupcake liners
- Spoon the cupcake mixture into the cupcake liners evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until smooth.
- Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
To Assemble
- Cut a well in the cupcakes and set aside the sponge.
- Place a cherry in each cupcake well
- Spoon the ganache over the cherry and fill the cupcake well to the top of the space.
- Place the cut cupcake pieces on top of the ganache filling.
- Pipe the cream around the top of the cupcake.
- Place a cherry on the top of the cream
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Krysta
I have made these three times now - SO delicious! I just made a batch for my 94-year-old German neighbour and she was very impressed, too! Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe, Angela 🙂
Angela Coleby
You have made my day with these kind words! And since my grandmother was German, I feel extra pleased with your neighbors review too! Delighted you both enjoy them!
Bharat
Can I substitute butter with coconut oil or ghee?
Angela Coleby
Coconut oil would work great.
Mary Wood
These were lovely Angela. The ganache was a little runny so became a chocolate sauce instead. Enjoyed by all. Thanks 🙂
Angela Coleby
I'm glad you enjoyed them Mary! Thank you for taking the time to post feedback!