Black forest cake got it's name from Germany's black forest region, a large mountain forest region in the
southwest part of Germany. The area is known for cherries and cherry brandy.
We are having a holiday party and it's Christmas time and I wanted to prepare this cake for my family and friends and of course me :-) though German's prepare it often as a national pride and not just for occasions.
This beautiful cake is prepared as a chocolate cake and then sliced into layers, where each layer is
brushed with cherry syrupy that could have a hint of brandy or almond extract.
Ingredients
1.5 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened coco powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil or un salted melted butter
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp coffee
Cherry filling and topping
1 can canned cherry
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsps corn starch
1tsp brandy or almond extract
Whipped cream frosting
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup or 5 tbsp of confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the cake
1. Using a sieve add flour, coco powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, strain and keep in a medium mixing size bowl.
2. To this add eggs, vanilla extract, sugar, oil or butter, milk, coffee and beat until combined. Please don't over beat.
3. Line the two 9 inch cake tins with round cut parchment paper and dust with some coco powder. Divide the dough into two cake tins. Bake for 30 to 35 mins at 350 F
For the cherry filling
1. Strain the cherries from the tin. Save the syrup. Keep aside. Pour syrup in to a pan. Add sugar and cornstarch and cook it for few minutes. Add cherries, brandy or almond extract stir and close the burner as it turns smooth and thickened. Cool in the refrigerator.
For the whipped cream
1. To make the whipped cream please make sure the cream is cold and the container is cold too. Add sugar and vanilla extract and beat, using a hand beater or electric hand beater to form stiff peaks. Continue to keep in refrigerator.
1 bar of chocolate 50 gms, to shave and add to the cake for decorating.
Method:
As the cake cools, turn it upside down with the flat layer on the top, on a cake stand.
Split each cake into two layers using a serrated knife or cake cutter. Now you have 4 layers. (available on Amazon)
Dust off any crumbs. Next, spread the cool frosting on the layer of the cake and add the cherries filling in the middle. Cover with more frosting and add the second layer of cake and repeat the process. On the top layer add frosting and cover the remaining frosting on the sides of the cake. Now add chocolate shaving onto the sides of the cake. Add some chocolate shavings on the top. Using a pastry bag and star nozzle pipe out frosting on the border of the top layer. Add the remaining cherry filling in the middle. Cool again in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
