Black Forest Cake is an irresistible classic of German baking, famous for its combination of layers of chocolate sponge cake, whipped cream and cherries, all decorated with chocolate shavings. It is a dessert that is not only delicious, but also very eye-catching.
Ingredients:
- 200 g wheat flour
- 75 g cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 200 g sugar
- 3 eggs
- 125 ml vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 250 ml milk
- 250 ml whipping cream (heavy cream)
- 400 g cherries in syrup (can be fresh if they are in season)
- 100 ml kirsch (cherry liqueur, optional)
- 200 g grated dark chocolate for decorating
- 12 fresh cherries for garnish (with stems if possible)
Elaboration:
- Start by preparing the sponge cake. Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a 23 cm round cake tin. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture is frothy and pale. Stir in the oil and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, alternating with the milk, and mix gently until smooth. Pour the batter into the cake tin and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before unmoulding.
- While the cake is cooling, whip the cream. Make sure the cream is well chilled before whipping to obtain a firm consistency. If you prefer, add a little icing sugar for a sweet touch. Set aside in the fridge.
- Once the cake is cool, cut it into three horizontal layers. If you decide to use kirsch, brush each layer of sponge cake with a little of the liqueur to accentuate the flavour. Place the first layer of sponge cake on a plate and cover with a generous layer of whipped cream. Add a generous amount of cherries and a little of their syrup on top of the cream to intensify the flavour.
- Repeat the process with the second layer of sponge cake. Place the last layer on top and cover it completely, including the sides, with an even layer of whipped cream. Make sure the cream is well distributed for a smooth and attractive finish.
- Decorate the top of the cake with the 12 fresh cherries, arranging them evenly. Sprinkle chocolate shavings generously over the top and sides of the cake for an elegant and professional touch. For an even more eye-catching finish, you can make little rosettes of cream around the top edge of the cake before placing the cherries.
- Advice:
- Remember that to obtain a perfect whipped cream, it is important that both the cream and the utensils are well chilled before whipping. If you want a milder flavour, you can omit the kirsch or replace it with cherry juice.
- You can also experiment with the amount of grated chocolate to find the perfect balance between sweetness and texture.
Finally, there is nothing like enjoying a homemade Black Forest Cake! Follow these steps and I assure you that you will have a dessert that will surprise both the eye and the palate.
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