BLACK FOREST CAKE

Black Forest Cake is probably the most popular cake out there and a favorite by many. It has been around for ages known for its layers of chocolate cake soaked in syrup, whipped cream, cherries and decorated with some shaved chocolate. So easy to make, delicious and very elegant! A perfect cake for every occasion. 
For this recipe, I did not add kirsch (clear brandy from fermented cherry) due to the pandemic issue so I wasn't able to get one from the store. But I found a way what to soak my cake with. I used the sweet syrup from the bottle of maraschino cherries. It is sweet and flavored with cherry, so why not right? But you can also make your own simple syrup and add some kirsch to it if you have one.  See my Tips and Notes below for more details. 

This had a cake scrap when I trimmed the dome of my cake but I saved it to make Black Forest Cups. What  you can do is pulse the leftover cake using a food processor or crush using a blender or just crumble by hand. Assemble them on a glass or cup with alternate layers of cake crumbs, whipped cream cheese, chopped maraschino cherries then garnish with some shaved chocolate and of course one cherry on top. Super easy like the photo below. You can use glass shots or plastic cups or any container you'd like to use. 

This is a 6-inch cake perfect for a small family. You can double the recipe if you'd like for a taller cake or make a bigger cake. This is a simple chocolate cake recipe but you can use any chocolate cake recipe you'd like. You can also try my Super Moist Chocolate Cake or Chocolate Taisan (Chiffon Cake) recipe for this one or use the one you have been making. This recipe is to give you an idea how to decorate it and what options you have. Like mentioned above, make sure to read my Tips and Notes below for more details. 
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When buying maraschino cherries, make sure to check the label for "with stems'. Your cake will look very nice with it. It just looks more elegant and just easy to grab the cherry and savor it. I love cherries!
For the chocolate shavings, I made two different ones. I used grated on the sides and shaved on top. I also have the information below under Tips and Notes how I prepared and stored them to keep its shape. 
Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think by leaving a comment below. Hope you enjoy!
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​BLACK FOREST CAKE RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tbsp powdered milk
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs, room temperature, separated
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla + 1 tsp vanilla, divided
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
• Maraschino Cherries with stems in syrup
• shaved and grated chocolate for decoration

* Substitute vanilla with kirsch if available 
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VIDEO

Procedure:

• In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, powdered milk, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. 
• In a large bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Slowly add sugar and beat until foamy.  Add egg yolks and beat on low speed until just combined then add vanilla. Beat on low speed just to combine.
• Add dry ingredients and beat on low until all ingredients come together then add oil. Beat on low speed for few seconds. Stop beating and use spatula to fold. Do not overmix. 
• Transfer the cake batter onto two 6" round pans with bottom lined with parchment paper.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350F for about 12 minutes or until toothpick inserted on the center comes out clean. Do not over bake. Make sure to check before the set time. Cool the cakes for 5 minutes in the pans then loosen edges with spatula and invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Trim the top of the cake for even layer. (Reserve the cake scrap to make Black Forest Cups.). Brush generously with with cherry syrup. 

• In a large bowl., beat the whipping cream until it starts to thicken, add powdered sugar and cornstarch and beat until thick and fluffy. Add vanilla and beat until well incorporated. 
• Top the first cake with whipped cream and spread evenly. Add some chopped cherries and press gently into the whipped cream. Place the 2nd cake on top then frost the whole cake with whipped cream. 
• Decorate as desired. I covered the sides of the cake with grated chocolate. I piped the top with 10 rosettes and topped  each rosette with maraschino cherry then added some shaved chocolate in the middle.
• Chill before serving.
• For the cake scraps, crumble or  break the leftover cake into small pieces or use a food processor and pulse a few times. 
• Layer plastic cups or any container of choice with desired amount of crumbled cake. Pipe the top with whipped cream then top with some chopped cherries. 
• Repeat the process by making another layer then sprinkle top with shaved chocolate.
• Refrigerate before serving. 
• TIPS and NOTES below.​

​TIPS AND NOTES:

• You can bake this cake on one 6-inch round pan if you like but make sure to bake for 15 minutes or more but do not overbake or the cake will be dry. You can also make black forest pastry by using one 8x8 square pan and bake for about 15 minutes. Slice the cake into two to make two layers. Frost and decorate as desired and cut into into 8 or 10 slices. 
• If available, you can add kirsch (clear brandy from fermented cherry) to the cake, cherry syrup and or frosting.  It's up to you :)
• As mentioned on my procedure, do not waste the scrap cake. Make Black Forest Cups like pictured above. 
• To make chocolate shavings, I grated a semi-sweet chocolate bar using the large holes of a grater. Slowly run the chocolate bar into the grater. This is what I used to cover the sides of the cake. To make the shavings, I used a sharp knife and scrape the chocolate bar. This is what you see on the middle of my cake. You can also use a peeler to make chocolate curls. Store them in the fridge or freezer to keep the shape and use when ready.
• If you'd like to make your own simple syrup, combine 1:1 ratio of sugar and water in a small pan. Boil for one minute then cool before use. Add kirsch to the syrup if available and desired.
• I hope these tips help. If you have questions, don't hesitate to use the comment bar below.

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