Indulge in the decadent delight of Linda's Black Forest Cake, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This classic German confection boasts layers of rich chocolate sponge cake, luscious cherry filling, and fluffy whipped cream, all enveloped in a blanket of chocolate shavings. The interplay of sweet and tart, moist and airy textures creates an unforgettable culinary experience.
For the ambitious baker, the article provides a comprehensive guide to crafting this masterpiece from scratch. Detailed instructions, accompanied by helpful tips, ensure success in creating the perfect cake layers, luscious cherry filling, and ethereal whipped cream. A step-by-step assembly guide ensures a flawless presentation, while variations offer creative twists on the traditional recipe.
Those seeking a simpler indulgence can explore the no-bake version, which utilizes store-bought ingredients to create a delightful Black Forest Cake with minimal effort. The article also includes a gluten-free adaptation that caters to those with dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can savor this timeless treat.
Additionally, the article delves into the fascinating history of the Black Forest Cake, tracing its origins in the picturesque Black Forest region of Germany. Readers will discover the legends and traditions surrounding this iconic dessert, making their baking journey even more enriching.
Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice enthusiast, Linda's Black Forest Cake is a delightful challenge that promises to impress your loved ones. Embrace the culinary adventure and embark on a journey to create a masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression.
LADYBIRD DINER'S BLACK FOREST CAKE
Ladybird Diner was built to be a pie destination. When self-proclaimed pie lady Meg Heriford opened it five years ago, fans lined up for slabs of her cherry and banana cream pies. Then one day Meg whipped up a hazelnut cake with brown-butter caramel buttercream and a dark chocolate drizzle. "I don't know what came over me," she says. Soon Meg and her team were experimenting with elevated versions of coconut, German chocolate and red velvet cakes, and lines formed for the cakes just as quickly as they had for the pies. The diner's signature Black Forest cake, topped with Italian black cherries, usually sells out in less than an hour.
Provided by Food Network
Time 2h30m
Yield 16 slices of cake
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Make the cake: Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Coat three 10-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper; set aside. Combine the all-purpose flour, almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the milk and vanilla in a small bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce the speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk mixture, until combined.
- Stir in the hot coffee (the batter will be thin). Divide among the prepared pans. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out mostly clean, 30 to 45 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pans, then turn out onto racks to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the ganache: Melt the chocolate chips with the heavy cream in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Let cool slightly. Add the cherries and let cool.
- Make the buttercream: Combine the egg whites, sugar, salt and cream of tartar in the heatproof bowl of a mixer set over the pan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Heat, whisking, until a candy thermometer reaches 185 degrees F, 5 minutes. Transfer the bowl to the mixer and beat on medium-high speed until the egg whites are stiff and glossy and the bowl is cool to the touch, 10 minutes. Beat in the butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Add the cherry liqueur and continue to beat until smooth. Beat in cherry syrup, 1 teaspoon at a time, to tint the frosting pink.
- Spread half of the ganache on one cake and top with a second cake. Repeat with another layer of ganache and the remaining cake. Trim the sides of the cake with a serrated knife to make them even; crumble the trimmings. Frost the cake with the buttercream and pipe some around the top. Top with cherries and the reserved cake crumbs.
BLACK FOREST CAKE
Some historians trace this famous cherry-chocolate cake (called Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in German) back to the 16th century, but it was most likely named and popularized by German baker Josef Keller in 1915 Germans take their world-famous dessert seriously: The cake was granted protected status by the European Commission in 2013, meaning that for a dessert to be sold as a Black Forest Cake, it must contain Black Forest kirsch, a brandy made from local cherries.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 3h10m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottoms and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans; line the bottoms with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and dust the bottoms and sides of the pans with cocoa powder, tapping out the excess.
- Put the eggs (in their shells) in a medium bowl and cover with hot tap water; let stand 5 minutes (warming the eggs will help them whip better). Sift the cocoa powder, cake flour and salt into a medium bowl, then whisk in the almond flour; set aside.
- Remove the eggs from the water and crack into a large bowl. Add the granulated sugar and beat with a mixer on low speed to combine. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until pale, fluffy and thick, about 10 minutes. The mixture should fall off the beaters in a ribbon when lifted.
- Sprinkle one-third of the flour mixture over the egg mixture and gently fold with a whisk until combined. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture in two batches, adding the vanilla with the final addition. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake until the cakes pull away from the sides of the pans and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Immediately run a small offset spatula around the edges to loosen. Let the cakes cool 5 minutes in the pans, then remove to a rack, parchment-side down, and let cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the whipped cream: Whisk the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan (the cornstarch will help stabilize the whipped cream). Slowly add 3/4 cup heavy cream, whisking, until a paste forms. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring, until thick and bubbling, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl, place a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate until completely cooled, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the filling: Bring the cherries, cherry syrup, kirsch and granulated sugar to a simmer in a small saucepan, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the almond extract and transfer to a bowl. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Finish the whipped cream: Beat the remaining 2 1/4 cups cold heavy cream and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. With the mixer running, add the cooked cream mixture and beat until stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Drain the cherries and reserve the syrup. Discard the parchment from the cakes. Trim a thin layer off the top of each cake with a long serrated knife. Put one cake cut-side up on a cake stand or serving plate and brush with half of the reserved syrup. Spread about 1 cup whipped cream over the top in a thin layer, then top with all but 1/4 cup cherries. Spread 1 cup whipped cream over the cherries in a thin layer. Top with the remaining cake and brush with the remaining syrup. Spread 1 1/2 cups whipped cream over the top and sides of the cake in a thin layer (some crumbs are OK). Refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Spread the remaining whipped cream over the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Sprinkle the shaved chocolate around the top of the cake and press into the sides; top with the reserved cherries. Refrigerate overnight; the cake will soak up the syrup.
BLACK FOREST CAKE
Black forest cake, which originated in the Black Forest region of Germany, is typically made with a light chocolate sponge cake, soaked with cherry syrup and cherry brandy (Kirsch), then layered with whipped cream and cherries. This version swaps the chocolate sponge for a denser, fudgier chocolate cake to delicious effect. But slicing a rich chocolate cake into four thin layers can be a bit tricky. To make the job a little easier, cool them completely before slicing. The cherry jam and syrup can be made in advance.
Provided by Samantha Seneviratne
Categories cakes, dessert
Time 2h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with oil and line the bottom of each with parchment paper.
- To prepare the cake, in a large bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and boiling water until smooth. Add the buttermilk and 1 cup vegetable oil, and whisk to combine. Add the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla extract, then whisk to combine.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, then whisk to combine. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer the cakes to a rack to cool for about 20 minutes, then flip the cakes out onto the rack and let them cool completely. Flip the cakes again, so the domed portion is on top, and trim a bit of the dome off each cake to flatten the top. Carefully cut each layer in half horizontally, creating four layers.
- While the cake cools, prepare the cherry jam: In a small saucepan, combine the cherries and sugar over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking the cherries down with a wooden spoon or potato masher, until the fruit has released its juice, about 6 minutes.
- Pass the cherry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, reserving the syrup in a medium bowl and setting aside the cooked cherries. Measure out 1/2 cup/120 milliliters of the syrup. (If you have more, store the rest in the refrigerator for another use). Transfer 1 tablespoon syrup from the 1/2 cup to small bowl, then stir the Kirsch into remaining syrup; set aside to cool completely.
- Add 1 teaspoon cornstarch to the reserved 1 tablespoon cherry syrup in the small bowl; whisk to combine. Transfer it to the saucepan, add the cooked cherries and cook over medium, stirring, until the mixture has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool completely. (You should have about 1 1/4 cups/300 milliliters jam.)
- Prepare the whipped cream: In a small saucepan, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, cornstarch and 1 cup heavy cream. Bring that mixture to a low boil over medium heat and cook, stirring, until thickened to the consistency of thin pudding, reducing heat as necessary to avoid scorching, about 2 minutes. Transfer cream mixture to a large bowl to cool completely.
- Assemble the cake: Whisk the cream mixture to loosen it, then add the remaining 3 cups heavy cream. Using an electric mixer on medium, beat the mixture until you have medium-stiff peaks, about 2 minutes. Set one cake layer on a serving plate, cut-side up. Brush it with some of the cherry-Kirsch syrup, spread about 1 cup whipped cream over the top, then 1/3 of the cherry jam. Swirl the jam and the cream together a bit to spread it out evenly. Repeat this process two more times and top it with the last cake layer, cut-side down. Then cover the entire cake with a thin layer of whipped cream. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- To finish, frost the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Prepare the chocolate curls: Warm the chocolate bar in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, then use a vegetable peeler to create curled chocolate shavings. Press the chocolate shavings onto the sides of the cake and over a 1-inch of the border on top. Top with the 8 cherries. Store leftovers, well wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
BLACK FOREST LAYER CAKE
If you're looking for a baking project or beautiful (and wildly delicious!) layered cake for a special occasion, look no further than this Black Forest Layer Cake. Three layers of a moist chocolate cake are separated by a from-scratch cherry filling (made with dark sweet cherries) that's both rich and tart in its taste, then frosted with a Swiss buttercream frosting and decorated with shaved chocolate and a pile of maraschino cherries. What makes this cake truly special is the "double dam" frosting border! Frosting is piped twice on the outside edge of the cake layer so there's a thick layer of buttercream that holds in the cherry filling. The end result is a dramatic black and white look and a touch of extra Swiss buttercream for frosting lovers. This cake is an absolute stunner, and it will reward the baker and the guests alike!
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 3h30m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottoms and sides of 3 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray; line with cooking parchment paper.
- In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another small bowl, beat baking cocoa and 1 1/4 cups water with whisk until well blended. Set both bowls aside.
- In bowl of electric stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat 2/3 cup softened butter and 1 1/3 cups sugar on medium speed 2 to 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; beat in eggs, one at a time, just until smooth. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla. On low speed, beat in one-third of the flour mixture, then half of the cocoa mixture, beating well after each addition, just until smooth. Repeat with flour mixture and cocoa mixture, ending with flour mixture. Scrape side of bowl occasionally. Pour 1 2/3 cups batter in each pan; spread evenly. Tap pans on counter 2 to 3 times to eliminate air bubbles from batter.
- Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, beat 1/2 cup sugar and the cornstarch with whisk. Beat in 1/3 cup water until smooth. Stir in chopped cherries. On medium-high heat, heat cherry mixture to boiling; boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 1 tablespoon butter. Pour into small bowl. Refrigerate uncovered at least 1 hour.
- In medium glass or metal bowl, beat egg whites and 1 1/2 cups sugar with whisk until blended. Set over pan of simmering water, beating occasionally, 16 to 20 minutes or until sugar has dissolved and egg mixture reaches 160°F. Remove from heat; pour into bowl of electric stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Beat on high speed 2 to 3 minutes or until glossy peaks form and bowl has cooled to feel slightly warm. Still on high speed, slowly add 1 1/2 cups butter, one piece at a time, scraping side of bowl occasionally, until mixture is smooth, thick and shiny, 12 to 14 minutes. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla. If mixture separates, beat until smooth.
- Fit decorating bag with 1/2-inch round piping tip; fill with frosting. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Pipe a thick frosting border around top edge of cake layer. Pipe a second border just inside the first border. Spread 2/3 cup of the cherry filling over top of cake inside borders. Top with second cake layer; repeat borders and filling. Place third cake layer on top. Frost side and top of cake with remaining frosting. Press shaved chocolate around bottom half of cake. Refrigerate 1 hour.
- When ready to serve, mound maraschino cherries in center of cake. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 700, Carbohydrate 83 g, Cholesterol 135 mg, Fat 7, Fiber 3 g, Protein 7 g, SaturatedFat 23 g, ServingSize 1 Slice, Sodium 600 mg, Sugar 62 g, TransFat 1 1/2 g
BLACK FOREST CAKE I BY LINDA GREER
I saw this recipe on allrecipes.com and looked for it here, but I didn't see it. Posting here for safekeeping. (Prep time is an estimate.)
Provided by Sammy Mae
Categories Dessert
Time 2h5m
Yield 1 cake, 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch, round, cake pans; cover bottoms with waxed paper.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, 2 cups sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil, and 1 tablespoon vanilla; beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool layers in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Loosen edges, and remove to racks to cool completely.
- Drain cherries, reserving 1/2 cup juice. Combine reserved juice, cherries, 1 cup sugar and cornstarch in a 2 quart saucepan. Cook over low heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cool before using.
- Combine whipping cream and confectioner's sugar in a chilled medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form.
- With long serrated knife, split each cake layer horizontally in half. Tear one split layer into crumbs; set aside. Reserve 1 1/2 cups Frosting for decorating cake; set aside. Gently brush loose crumbs off top and side of each cake layer with pastry brush or hands. To assemble, place one cake layer on cake plate. Spread with 1 cup frosting; top with 3/4 cup cherry topping. Top with second cake layer; repeat layers of frosting and cherry topping. Top with third cake layer. Frost side of cake. Pat reserved crumbs onto frosting on side of cake. Spoon reserved frosting into pastry bag fitted with star decorator tip. Pipe around top and bottom edges of cake. Spoon remaining cherry topping onto top of cake.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 701.2, Fat 34.1, SaturatedFat 16.2, Cholesterol 130.9, Sodium 328.8, Carbohydrate 97, Fiber 3.2, Sugar 53.6, Protein 7.5
BLACK FOREST CAKE WITH WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING
Provided by Food Network
Time 38m
Yield 36 mini cupcakes
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- For the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a mini-cupcake pan with 36 mini liners.
- In a heavy-duty mixing bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients. Once thoroughly mixed, add all the wet ingredients except the boiling water. Once all mixed together, slowly add the boiling water.
- For the cherry filling: Put all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. When the filling is done, it should be thick like marmalade.
- For the cream cheese filling: In a small bowl, whip the cream cheese with a hand mixer until fluffy. Add all the other ingredients until completely combined. Cool in the fridge until ready for use.
- To assemble: Fill the cupcake liners two-thirds of the way with the batter. Spoon 1 teaspoon cream cheese filling and 1 teaspoon cherry filling on top. Bake until the cake bounces back after you touch it, about 22 minutes. When the cupcakes are done, remove from the pan and place onto a tray to cool.
- Whip the non-dairy whipping cream in a heavy-duty mixing bowl with a whisk attachment until stiff peaks form. Place the whipped cream in a pastry bag and, when the cupcakes are completely cooled, pipe a generous amount of frosting on top. Garnish with chocolate shavings and maraschino cherries.
HAUNTED BLACK FOREST LAYER CAKE
Topped with chocolate ganache and studded with cherries, this classic cake recipe is irresistible to all creatures, vampire or otherwise.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- To make this cake, you will double the Genoise cake recipe, stirring 1/3 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder into the flour and salt. Bake in two 9-inch round cake pans that are buttered, lined with parchment paper, and dusted with cocoa powder. To make simple syrup with kirsch, stir in 1/3 cup kirsch to simple syrup recipe.
- Slice each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand. Brush top with 1/4 cup simple syrup. Spread with 2 cups whipped cream, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Remove cherries from filling syrup with a slotted spoon, and transfer to a medium bowl. Scatter 1 1/4 cups cherries evenly over whipped cream. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons filling syrup. Repeat 2 times. Place final cake layer, cut side down, on top, and spread with ganache. Serve immediately.
BLACK FOREST CAKE
Devil's food cake mix makes it easy to prepare an impressive, tasty torte that perfectly pairs chocolate and cherries.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 2h15m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans, or spray with baking spray with flour.
- Make and bake cake as directed on box for 8- or 9-inch rounds. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- In medium bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until slightly thickened. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in brandy. In another small bowl, mix pie filling and almond extract.
- On serving plate, place 1 cake layer, rounded side down. Spread with half of the whipped cream, then 1 cup cherry mixture to within 1 inch of edge. Top with second layer, rounded side up. Frost top with remaining whipped cream. Spoon remaining cherry mixture over top. Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Store covered in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 190, Carbohydrate 28 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 180 mg, Sugar 18 g, TransFat 1 g
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your cake.
- Make sure your oven is preheated before you start baking. This will help the cake rise evenly.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
- Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Don't overbake the cake, or it will be dry.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting set properly.
- Be patient when making the frosting. It takes time to whip the cream and egg whites until they are stiff peaks.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors. You can add different extracts, liqueurs, or fruits to the frosting to create a unique flavor.
Conclusion:
Linda's Black Forest Cake is a delicious and impressive dessert that is perfect for any special occasion. With its rich chocolate flavor, fluffy whipped cream, and sweet cherries, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. If you're looking for a special dessert to make for your next party or gathering, Linda's Black Forest Cake is a great choice.
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