Authentic Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) with Cherries & Kirsch
Germany's most iconic dessert masterpiece: layers of airy dark chocolate sponge cake soaked in clear Kirschwasser cherry schnapps, sandwiched with tart sour cherries and clouds of whipped cream, cloaked in dark chocolate curls.
Ingredients
Chocolate Sponge Cake
- 6 large eggs, separated
- 180g fine granulated sugar
- 150g all-purpose flour & 50g Dutch-process dark cocoa powder
- 50g cornstarch & 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
Cherry Filling & Kirschwasser
- 1 jar (700g) sour Morello cherries (Schattenmorellen), drained with juice reserved
- 3 tbsp cornstarch & 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup authentic Black Forest Kirschwasser (clear cherry brandy)
Whipped Cream & Chocolate Shavings
- 800ml heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 4 tbsp powdered sugar & 2 packets whip-it stabilizer
- 100g dark chocolate shavings or curls
- 12 whole glazed cherries for decorating the top rosettes
Instructions
Bake the Chocolate Sponge
Whip egg whites with half the sugar to stiff peaks. Whip egg yolks with remaining sugar until pale. Fold together, then sift in flour, cocoa, cornstarch, and baking powder. Bake in a 9-inch springform pan at 175°C (350°F) for 30-35 minutes. Cool and slice horizontally into 3 even layers.
Cook the Sour Cherry Filling
In a saucepan, heat reserved cherry juice with sugar and cornstarch until bubbling and thickened into a clear ruby gel. Fold in the sour cherries (reserving 12 for garnish) and 2 tbsp Kirschwasser. Let cool.
Whip the Cream
Whip cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and stabilizer until firm peaks form. Stir 1 tbsp Kirschwasser into the cream.
Soak and Assemble Layers
Drizzle bottom cake layer generously with Kirschwasser. Pipe rings of whipped cream and spoon thickened cherry filling between the rings. Top with second cake layer, soak with Kirsch, spread a thick layer of whipped cream, and top with third soaked cake layer.
Decorate and Chill
Frost the top and sides completely with whipped cream. Coat the sides and center with dark chocolate shavings. Pipe 12 whipped cream rosettes on top, crown each with a cherry, and chill for 4 hours before slicing.
Nutrition Facts
* Based on a 2,000 calorie diet.