Ultimate Black Forest Cake Food

BLACK FOREST CAKE

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.

30-MINUTE BLACK FOREST CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray a rimmed 17-by-12-inch sheet pan with baking spray and line it with parchment paper, then lightly spray the parchment with baking spray. Set aside.
• Combine the cocoa powder and hot water in a large glass measuring cup and stir to combine. Stir in the cold water and set aside.
• Combine the sugar and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Beat in the vanilla. Beat in the egg, beating until incorporated and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda, then pour in the cocoa mixture. Beat for 2 minutes on high speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until completely blended with no visible streaks.
• Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan, spreading evenly. Bake 10 minutes. Do not overbake.
• Place a sheet of parchment paper on the countertop and invert the baked cake on top of it. Peel off the parchment on top of the cake. Spread the Cherry Kirsch Compote (minus 1/2 cup reserved for the Cherry Cream) evenly across the cake. Roll the cake into a log from the short end, place on a serving platter and set aside.
• When ready to serve, pour the Microwave Dark Chocolate Ganache over the top of the cake, spreading it smoothly with an offset spatula and allowing it to drip down the sides of the cake. Serve each slice of cake with a large spoonful of the Cherry Cream on top.
• Combine the cherries, jam, kirsch, lemon zest and juice, cinnamon and salt in a medium saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cherries are soft and mixture is thickened, about 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely; reserve 1/2 cup of the cooled compote for the Cherry Cream (recipe follows). Can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
• Place the chocolate chips in a medium heatproof bowl. Microwave the cream in a glass measuring cup for 1 minute. Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and stir until smooth. Whisk in the instant espresso, whisking until completely smooth. Can be refrigerated for up to 1 week and reheated as necessary. Makes about 2 cups.
• Place the heavy cream, sour cream, sugar and vanilla in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whip on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. The cream can be refrigerated at this point in a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, gently fold the compote into the prepared whipped cream. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

BLACK FOREST CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Make the cake according to the package instructions, but substitute half of the water with coffee, and the other half with buttermilk (most likely it will call for 1 cup total of water). Bake in two 8-inch round cake pans according to package instructions. Let the cakes cool completely.
• For the cream: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream, sugar and almond extract together in a large bowl until stiff peaks form.
• For the cherries: Combine the cherries and kirsch in a small bowl.
• To assemble: Use a serrated knife to cut the cakes in half horizontally. Create layers of cake, cherries and whipped cream, repeating. Top the cake with whipped cream, a few cherries and chocolate shavings.

ULTIMATE BLACK FOREST CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line two 8-inch round pans with parchment paper.
• Sift 1 1/2 cups of the white sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Beat shortening and remaining 1/2 cup white sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat 1 egg at a time into the shortening mixture; add vanilla extract with last egg. Add portions of flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating after each addition to form a smooth batter. Pour batter into prepared baking pans.
• Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
• Remove parchment from cake bottoms. Cut each layer in half horizontally, making 4 layers total. Pour 2 tablespoons cherry liqueur over each cake half.
• Beat cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Beat in 2 tablespoons cherry liqueur and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat in confectioners' sugar and salt until cream filling is smooth and stiff.
• Spread 1 cake layer with 1/4 of the cream filling; top with 1/3 cherries. Repeat with 2 additional layers. Place 4th layer on top; frost top and sides of cake with remaining cream filling.

AUTHENTIC BLACK FOREST CAKE (SCHWARZWALD KIRSCH KUCHEN)

Steps:

• Pit most of the cherries leaving about 10 for decoration on top of the cake. Take the pitted cherries and soak them in a jar of the 1/2 cup Kirsch overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F Line the bottom of three 9 inch round cake pans with parchment.
• Sift the dry cake ingredients together.
• Cream the shortening and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.
• Add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk and mix well.
• Pour evenly into the cake pans. Bake for 20 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean.
• Cool and remove the cakes. Prick the tops of the cakes with a toothpick and pour the 1/2 cup of Kirsch (that the cherries soaked in) onto the cake.
• In a bowl beat the butter until light and creamy. Add the icing sugar, salt and espresso and mix well. If the icing is too thick add Kirsch or cherry juice.
• Cut the cherries into halves.
• Place the base layer on top of your cake tray, spread 1/2 of the filling over one top, cover with cherries and top with another layer of cake.
• Spread the second half of the filling over that layer of cake, cover with cherries and top with the third layer of cake. Cover this and let sit in the fridge for a day or two to allow the kirsch to soak into the cake and become moist.
• The day you're going to serve this cake prepare the icing. Whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks.
• Gently fold in the dry milk and icing sugar.
• Add the vanilla and pour in the Kirsch until it's a good consistency.
• If you like more icing double this recipe. Spread the icing over all of the cake.
• Place the fresh, intact cherries on top for decoration and cover the top with the chocolate shavings. Serve and enjoy!

BOX-MIX BLACK FOREST CAKE

Steps:

• Bake cake according to directions in a 9' x 13' x 2' pan.
• Mix pie filling and almond flavoring.
• While cake is still warm, poke top with fork and spread cherry pie filling over cake.
• While cake cooks, prepare pudding, adding extra vanilla flavoring.
• Fold in whipped topping.
• Spread pudding mixture over cake, carefully covering cherry pie filling.
• Decorate with chocolate sprinkles and maraschino cherries.
• Cover and refrigerate.

BLACK FOREST GATEAU

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line the base of 3 x 20cm cake tins. Boil the kettle. Put the butter and 75g chocolate broken into chunks in a small pan and gently heat, stirring, until completely melted.
• Mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa and bicarbonate of soda with a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk the eggs and buttermilk or yogurt together. Scrape the melted chocolate mixture and egg mixture into the dry ingredients, add 100ml boiling water and whizz briefly with an electric whisk until the cake batter is lump free.
• Divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 25 mins, swapping the tins round after 20 mins if they're on different shelves. To test they're done, push in a skewer and check that it comes out clean.
• Prick the cakes a few times with a skewer. Mix together the 2 tbsp reserved cherry juice and the kirsch (or more juice) and drizzle over the cakes. Cool the cakes.
• Mix together the remaining drained cherries and jam. Tip 200ml of the cream into a small pan and heat until just below simmering point. Chop the remaining chocolate and put in a heatproof bowl, pour over the hot cream and stir until melted. Set aside until spreadable.
• When the cakes are cool whisk the remaining cream and the icing sugar together until softly whipped. Spread over two of the cakes, then spoon over the jammy cherries. Stack the cakes together. Spread the chocolate cream over the third cake and sit on top of the other cakes. Pile the fresh cherries in and around the cake and serve

BLACK FOREST CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate wafer crumbs and butter, mixing well; firmly press into bottom and 1 inch up sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat cream cheese with electric mixer until light and fluffy.
• Gradually add sugar, mixing well.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Stir in kirsch, and mix until blended.
• Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake at 400 degrees F.
• for 10 minutes and then at 200 degrees F for 1 hour.
• Let cake cool to room temperature in the oven.
• Place chocolate in top of a double boiler; bring water to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low; cook until chocolate melts.
• Cool slightly.
• Stir in sour cream.
• Spread chocolate mixture evenly over top.
• Chill thoroughly.
• Garnish with whipped cream and maraschino cherries with stems, if desired.

BLACK FOREST CAKE

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.