Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake)

About This Recipe

Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte, Black Forest cake, takes its name from the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany, known for its kirschwasser, a clear cherry brandy that soaks generously into each chocolate cake layer. Whipped cream and tart cherries are layered between the soaked chocolate sponge, the cream's lightness balancing the rich chocolate and the cherries' bright acidity cutting through both. Decorated traditionally with chocolate shavings and whole cherries on top, this cake requires patience across several stages, but the result is a genuinely celebratory dessert that remains one of Germany's most internationally recognized exports.

Ingredients

Serves 10

• 2 cupsall-purpose flour
• 3/4 cupunsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tspbaking soda
• 1/2 tspsalt
• 2 cupssugar
• 1 cupvegetable oil
• 2eggs
• 1 cupbuttermilk
• 1 cuphot coffee
• 1/2 cupkirschwasser (cherry brandy)(for soaking)
• 3 cupsheavy cream(for filling and topping)
• 1/3 cuppowdered sugar(for whipped cream)
• 3 cupspitted cherries(fresh or jarred)
• 1/2 cupchocolate shavings(for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the batter

   Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and sugar together, then mix in oil, eggs and buttermilk, followed by the hot coffee until smooth.

2. 2

   Bake

   Divide the batter between three greased cake pans and bake at 175C/350F for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean; let cool completely.

3. 3

   Soak the layers

   Brush each cooled cake layer generously with kirschwasser.

   Soak the layers generously but evenly — this is essential to the cake's signature boozy, cherry-forward flavor.

4. 4

   Whip the cream

   Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar to stiff peaks.

5. 5

   Assemble

   Layer the soaked cake with whipped cream and cherries between each layer, stacking three layers total.

6. 6

   Frost

   Cover the entire cake with the remaining whipped cream.

7. 7

   Garnish

   Decorate with chocolate shavings and whole cherries on top before serving.

Variations

• •

  A non-alcoholic version substitutes cherry juice for the kirschwasser, though the flavor will be milder.

• •

  Some versions add a thin layer of chocolate ganache between the cake and whipped cream.

• •

  Using fresh cherries in season gives a brighter flavor than jarred cherries.

Storage

Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days; the whipped cream and cherries mean it should be kept cold, and it's best sliced with a warm, clean knife.

Frequently Asked Questions