I’m a huge fan of boozy desserts and this cake is no exception. I must say it’s one of my all time favorites.
When I made some research for my first book, I realized that the Swedish Schwarzwald cake I had been eating all my life was something completely different than the German Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (also known as the Black Forest cake/gâteau). The Swedish Schwarzwald cake consists of hazelnut meringue layers, whipped cream and chocolate and is of course also one of my favorites. Definitely something for a future blogpost.
Anyway, this is my version of the Black forest cake. Wait, let’s call it gâteau instead. Black forest gâteau. Sounds so much fancier. It consists of three fluffy layers of chocolate cake drenched in kirsch syrup, mascarpone frosting, cherries in kirsch, shaved chocolate, chocolate ganache and fresh cherries. I think that’s all. Phew.
black forest gâteau
Serves 6-8
Recipe adapted from my book Lomelinos tårtor
Notes about this recipe:
-Bring egg and sour cream to room temperature before beginning.
-For the filling, you can always use store-bought cherries in rum if you don’t feel like making your own cherries in kirsch.
-The frosting recipe makes slightly more than you need for filling the cake as it’s a little difficult to scale down this recipe. You could always use the extra frosting for piping dollops on top of the cake, then putting the cherries on top, like so.
-This cake is really, really tall and therefore it might be in need of some support. Placing a skewer in the middle of the cake when moving it is not a bad idea. I put a skewer in mine, then let the cake set for 20 minutes in the fridge, after that it was surprisingly stable. I was even able to take the cake along for a ride in the car (with me holding the cake of course)!
-If you want a more stable cake, bake the cakes in two or three 8 or 9 inch pans instead (but make sure to adjust baking time).
Ingredients
Cake
50 g butter (a scant 1/2 stick)
1 1/4 cup (180 g) all purpose flour
1/3 cup + 1 1/2 tbsp (20 g) cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup (225 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
2/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup + 1 1/2 tbsp hot water
Cherries in kirsch
250 g whole cherries (weight with pits and all)
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup kirsch liqueur
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Dark chocolate ganache
50 g dark chocolate
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp butter
Mascarpone frosting
1 tub (250 g) mascarpone cheese
3-4 tbsp powdered sugar
1/3 cup + 1 1/2 tbsp heavy cream
Decoration
100 g milk chocolate, shaved or grated
Fresh cherries for the top
Directions
Cake
1. Heat oven to 175°C (350F).
2. Butter and flour three 6 inch (15 cm) cake pans. Melt the butter and let it cool.
3. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. Add all other ingredients -salt, sugar, egg, sour cream, melted butter and hot water. Stir until completely smooth.
4. Divide batter between the three prepared cake pans.
5. Bake for 20-22 minutes, then let the cakes cool for 10 minutes in their pans before inverting them onto a cooling rack. Let cakes cool completely before using.
Cherries in kirsch
1. Pit and halve the cherries and put them in a saucepan with the lemon juice, kirsch and sugar. Let come to a boil and then let simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring carefully every now and then, until the cherries are soft but not mushy.
2. Pour the mixture through a strainer, with a bowl underneath to reserve the liquids. Put the cherries in another bowl to cool.
3. Prick holes in the cakes with a toothpick and brush with some of the kirsch liquid. If you wish to make a thicker syrup (which you can pour over the cake), put the remaining liquid back in the sauce pan and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until thickened. Pour into a bowl and let cool completely.
Dark chocolate ganache
1. Chop the chocolate finely and put in a bowl.
2. Heat the cream and butter in a saucepan until hot but not boiling, then pour the cream mixture on top of the chocolate. Leave for 30 seconds, then stir until completely smooth. Leave to cool to spreadable consistency.
Mascarpone frosting
Beat the mascarpone and sugar until creamy. Add the heavy cream and whip until thick.
Assembly
1. Put the first cake layer on a serving platter or cake stand. Spread a thick layer of mascarpone frosting on top. Put half of the kirsch cherries on top, then add some grated/shaved chocolate.
2. Put the next cake layer on and repeat the same steps as before.
3. Top with the third and last cake layer. Spread a thick layer of ganache on top. Decorate with fresh cherries and chocolate shavings, and if you wish, the thickened kirsch syrup.
Åh vilken härlig tårta! Älskar färgerna och kombinationen får min mun att vattnas! Denna skall jag testa på!! Kram på dig, fina du!
Linda, perfect as always! I've been waiting for this cake since you've published it on Instagram….
P.S. I also like the table cover very much!
Wow that looks super delicious, I can almost taste it!
Great presentation! It looks so good!
Such a stunning cake. This looks lovely!
This looks amazing! I love the photos too. I need to try and make this! x
http://www.totalmodisch.blogspot.co.uk
That cake is amazing! How did you slice it without it all falling apart?
Oh, my! For a chocoholic like me, this looks perfect! ! ! Where's my fork? 😀
This is so beautiful Linda! I love it!
It's such a beautiful cake – I have no words! Absolutely stunning!
Linda, what can I say…..speechless xx Anita
Wow, vilken ljuvlig kreation du skapat:) Heja dig mästare av tårtor!!
It looks just fantastic!
Thank you so much!
How do you stop the cream layer from getting squished?
The frosting is actually quite firm, so it was no problem! And the cherries also help to stabilize the layers 🙂
Så fin tårta 😀
Tack Ida! 🙂
Haha, 'gâteau' definitely sounds fancy and totally does this cake justice. One of the most stunning cakes I've ever seen! Ah, how much I love your mascarpone frostings…
Doesn't it? I love that word 🙂 And thank you so much dear Sini!
Så himla fint stylat! Intressant ang Schwartzwaldsvarianterna också – I had no clue!
You're awesome! I totally love your photos <3
Wonderful photos.. and delicious cake!!!
Looks and sounds absolutely heavenly!!
Thank you Glory! It was relish 🙂
Looks beautiful.. just it's not a 'black forrest' cake. Black forrest does not content mascarpone or chocolate ganache. Don't call it "my version of Black Forrest", please, but give it another name next time. Such a baker, who has her books published, shouldn't do this…
Petra
Why? It's my blog and I can do whatever I want.
Jesus give her a break. She said 'my version of black forrest' which means it's not the original recipe but it's her version. Don't be a narrow minded person.
Wow what a unnecessary thing to say..
Why can't she call it "her version"
She's an amazing baker
Aww, thank you so much! :-*
Looks delicious!!! Its a pleasure to visit your blog. I love it!!!!!
Thank you so very much! x
Very nice! 🙂 And I am really curious about the Swidish version as well! 🙂
Maybe I'll make it for the blog some day 🙂
This looks AMAZING!
Thank you Sarah!
Looks exactly like this one, this "your" Black Forrest, haha
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2303676/black-forest-gteau
Haha, yeah.. Why don't you google "Black forest cake", then maybe you'll see how many cakes look exactly the same. If you feel like you need to criticize me for something, then at least provide your name.
I googled:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Forest_cake
Petra
So? I've googled it too.
Wow, it's incredibly sad how people like Petra, who have absolutely no lives of their own, like to criticize people like you, Linda. Personally, even as a vegan, I think your recipes look delicious and your photography is astonishingly beautiful. Linda, you are a very talented woman, unlike Mister Nobody-Petra.
Ron
( ;-} >
Fantastic as always! your photos looks more and more sophisticated. Where is this fabric from? I lIve in a small town and It's difficult for me to find beautiful fabrics to picture. XX
Thank you so much! I got the fabric from a store here in Sweden called Åhléns! x
Omnomnom, this looks delicious! We love this cake also, but bake it only for special occasions and – very important – let it stay at least one day to rest and develope its flavor. It's even more delicious after two days! 😀
Just…BEAUTIFUL! !!!!!
amazing !
I received your book for Christmas!! So so so happy 🙂 I saw the original post in it (about blackforest cake). Can't wait to make it!
OMG! This looks SO delicious… I'm gonna make this for my daughters birthday. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Also beautiful pictures!
One of the most enjoyable cakes I've ever made. Melt in your mouth goodness
OMG, I fell in love with this beauty. I am from Germany and here you find the originals, but never seen it like this. It looks delicious
This couldn't look more perfect, just like heaven!
Hi Linda. Thanks a lot for this recipe. Its exactly what I had been searching for since long. But can 'kirsch liqueur' be substituted with something non-alcoholic?
Tehseena
Hi Linda. Thanks for the recipe. Exactly what I had been looking for since long. Can 'Kirsch' be substituted with something non-alcoholic?
Hi Linda, this cake is amazing! Did it yesterday for birthday party and everybody loved it. I just did a larger one and omitted the chocolate ganache, but still it was a delight! Thanks for the great recipe! 🙂
Hi. If I wanted to make a 8″ version of this cake do I double the recipe?
Hi! If you want to have tall cake you can double the cake layer recipe, but I can’t say how much more of the filling you’ll need!