Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cherry Cake)

By Master Chef on January 21st, 2021 · In Baked Goods, Cakes and Pastries, Desserts, Dinner, DOTD, Fruits, Herbs and Spices, Holidays, Meals, Regional and Ethnic, Techniques

There are few cakes that pack as much deliciousness as Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte. Black Forest Cherry Cake is a confectionery classic and a public favorite for many decades.

Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cherry Cake)

Author: Epicurus.com Kitchens

Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

Cake:

6 eggs; large
1 Cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate*
1 Cup flour; sifted

Syrup:

1/4 Cup sugar
1/3 Cup water
2 Tablespoons Kirsch

Filling:

1 1/2 Cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 Cup butter; unsalted
1 egg yolk; large
2 Tablespoons Kirsch liqueur

Topping:

2 Cups sour cherries; canned, drain
2 Tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 Cup cream; heavy, whipped
8 ounces semisweet chocolate bar (1)

Instructions

* There should be 4 squares of chocolate and it should be melted.

CAKE:

Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla together until thick and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Alternately fold chocolate and flour into the egg mixture, ending with flour. Pour the batter into 3 8-inch cake pans that have been well greased and floured. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 5 minutes; turn out on racks to cool completely.

SYRUP:

Make syrup by mixing together sugar and water and boiling for 5 minutes. When syrup has cooled, stir in kirsch. Prick the cake layers and pour syrup over all 3 layers.

FILLING:

To make the butter-cream filling, beat together sugar and butter until well blended. Add egg yolk; beat until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Fold in Kirsch.

CAKE ASSEMBLY:

To assemble cake, place 1 layer on a cake plate. Spread with butter cream filling. Using 3/4 cup of the cherries, which have been patted dry, drop cherries evenly over cream. Place second layer on cake. Repeat. Place third layer on top. Fold 2 Tablespoons confectioner's sugar into the whipped cream. Cover the sides and top of the cake with whipped cream. Decorate top of cake with remaining 1/2 cup cherries.
To make chocolate curls from chocolate bar, shave (at room temperature) with a vegetable peeler. Refrigerate curls until ready to use. Press chocolate curls on sides of cake and sprinkle a few on the top. Chill until serving time.