Oma's Black Forest Dessert  (Schwarzwälder Kirsch Dessert)

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares German recipes rooted in family tradition.

Updated: August 24, 2026

Black Forest flavors meet an easy no-bake dessert everyone will love.

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Creamy layers with cherries. This one disappears fast."I made the Schwärzwalder kirsch dessert and I have to say it came out great. Love the simplicity of it. I scaled it down to a small cake."
- Anna from Long Island, New York

This Black Forest dessert (Schwarzwälder Kirsch dessert) is my delicious little shortcut secret. Yes, it uses soda crackers, instant chocolate pudding, Cool Whip, and canned cherry pie filling… and yes, it tastes amazing. It’s so simple that anyone can make it. Let the kids help and watch them beam when everyone starts raving about how good it is.

Top Tips for Best Results

1. Use unsalted top soda crackers: They absorb flavours better and create a flaky “pastry” effect during chilling
2. For extra chocolate richness: Use two packages of instant chocolate pudding instead of one and double the milk
3. Need a lighter version?: Use low-fat pudding and Cool Whip ... still delicious
4. Don't like Cool Whip?: Use regular whipped cream (see recipe card hints)

It's among my favorite holiday baking recipes. Why? Because it's so quick to make, doesn't need to be baked, and is delicious!

What makes it extra special during the holidays is that it needs to be made at least 6 hours before serving. That means it can be made the day before. No rushing around the day of the feast.

• Be ready to hand out the recipe. Although it sounds so strange, even when guests are told what is in it, they always go back for seconds. Unfortunately, there's seldom any leftovers for the next day.

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Try This Delicious Variation

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OHHHHHH. Crushed pineapple makes the above vanilla version so refreshing, especially on a hot summer's day.

As far as layered sweets, Germany has many, though this one is my creation that I based on this easy flaky dessert shown here.

That's the original recipe I was playing around with when I figured that I'd make it really German by incorporating the Black Forest Cake flavors.

Once you make this one, you'll be ready to try your own combinations. Different pudding flavors. Different fruit toppings. Different desserts!

A Deliciously Fun Twist on a Black Forest Cake

This yummy twist is my quick-and-easy take on classic Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte) ... all the flavor, none of the fuss. Swap layers of chocolate cake for instant chocolate pudding, whipped heavy cream for Cool Whip, and a stove-top cherry filling for a simple can of cherry pie filling… and suddenly you’re a dessert hero with time to spare.

Want to make it taste even more like the real deal? Stir a splash of kirschwasser into the cherries ... but only if it’s adults-only at the table

How to Use Sugar-Free Instant Pudding

Can you use sugar-free instant pudding? Absolutely. Just be sure to follow the milk amount on the package ... sugar-free mixes use different ratios. My recipe uses a regular 4-ounce (113 grams) box with 2 cups (480 milliliters) of milk, but the sugar-free version is usually around 2.1 ounces (59 grams) and needs about 3 cups (720 milliliters).

No worries… it still works perfectly. Your pudding layer will just turn out a little thicker, and that’s a pretty tasty “problem” to have.

Black Forest in Minutes 

(Find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.)

Start by lining the bottom of your dish with unsalted soda crackers. Yes, crackers. Trust me. Then whisk up a box of instant chocolate pudding with 2 cups (480 milliliters) of milk ... or use two boxes if you want a thicker chocolate moment.

Spread that yummy pudding over the crackers, then add half the Cool Whip.

Next layer: more crackers, more pudding, and the rest of the Cool Whip on top. Smooth it out, cover it up, and let the fridge do its work for at least 6 hours (overnight is even better if you can wait).

When it’s serving time, crown it with cherry pie filling. Want to show off? Add chocolate shavings, curls, or a little drizzle of chocolate sauce. Boom… applause incoming.

More Black Forest Desserts

• My best Black Forest cake recipe is THE traditional German chocolate layer cake, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. With its layers of chocolate sponge cake, kirsch-permeated cherries, and whipped cream frosting, it truly is a delightful dessert. This version is one of the easier ones to make, so even if you're not an experienced baker, you can enjoy this world-famous treat any time you wish.
• Here's an even easier version of a German Black Forest cake. It tastes almost like the traditional one, only this one's really, really easy and super quick to make. It's what you serve when you want German food without the fuss! It still has chocolate cake, cherries, and real whipped cream, but it uses a cake mix, some pie filling, and freshly whipped cream.

Helpful Tips & FAQs

Print Recipe

Oma's Black Forest Dessert  (Schwarzwälder Kirsch Dessert)

This Black Forest Dessert is one the easiest dessert recipes. It uses soda crackers, instant chocolate pudding and Cool Whip. Top it off with Cherry Pie Filling. 

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Chill Time:

6+ hours

Total Time:

6+ hours

Servings:

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 14-ounce (200-250 gram) package of unsalted soda crackers (about 4 sleeves)
• 1 4-ounce (113 gram) box instant chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk (for pudding)
• 1 large 12-ounce tub (1 liter) Cool Whip or whipped topping
• 1 21-ounce (595 grams) can of cherry pie filling

Instructions:

1. Line bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with half the soda crackers.
2. Prepare pudding mix according to package directions. Gently spread half of the pudding over the crackers.
3. Gently spread half the tub of Cool Whip over pudding.
4. Cover the Cool Whip layer with a layer of remaining soda crackers.
5. Gently spread remaining pudding over crackers. Cover with remaining Cool Whip.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
7. Serve, topping each piece with some cherry filling.

Notes/Hints:

• If you use sugar-free Jell-O instant pudding mix, your package will weigh less. Use the package instructions to make your pudding with as much milk as the package says. If it's 3 cups (720 milliliters), then your pudding layer will be nice and thick. See the section "Can you use sugar-free instant pudding?" in the post above for more info.
• To get thicker chocolate layers as shown, I used 2 packages of regular Jell-O instant pudding mix (not sugar-free) with 4 cups (960 milliliters) of milk as per package instructions.
• I prefer to use whole milk (3.5%) to get a rich-tasting pudding. You can use 2% if you prefer. 
• Use low-fat Cool Whip, low-fat pudding, and low-fat milk if you need a low-fat version.
• Yes, you can use homemade whipped cream frosting instead of Cool Whip. Whip up 2 cups (480 milliliters) of heavy cream with 2 packages of Dr. Oetker's Whip It (to stabilize it), adding sugar to taste.
• Add this recipe to your list of quick Christmas recipes. Since you can make it ahead of time, preferably the day before, there's no hassle the day of the party.
• Add a little bit of almond extract to the chocolate pudding for some added deliciousness to the pudding mixture.
• Drizzle with some chocolate sauce or sprinkle chocolate shavings or chocolate chips for added pizzazz!
• Try the original version of this with vanilla pudding and pineapple. A summertime (or anytime) treat.

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Recipe updated August 24, 2026

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Complete your set today - order now!

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Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.