A Classic Black Forest Cake
Yes, the photo shows this cake in a Christmas setting but truly, Black Forest Cake is wonderful any time of year. What makes a cake a Black Forest cake? Well there is always the combination of chocolate and cherries but beyond that, there is huge variation. Sometimes there is whipped cream, sometimes a light whipped chocolate ganache. Other times both appear. Then there is the cherry factor. Sweet or tart? I have even seen maraschino cherries. I am partial to tart or sour cherries and this version from the 4th edition of The Taste of Home Cookbookshowcases them nicely. The almond extract in the cherry filling is a classic addition. The almond flavoring enhances the cherry flavor as opposed to projecting “almond” to the taste buds. You can read more about that in our Encyclopedia.
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- 2 eggs, separated
- 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
- 1-3/4 cups cake flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- 4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 to 5 tablespoons half-and-half cream
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) pitted tart cherries
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 6 drops red food coloring
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup chocolate syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate curls, maraschino cherries and fresh mint
- In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat the oil, egg yolks, 1 cup sugar and melted chocolate. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to chocolate mixture alternately with milk.
- In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Beat in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter.
- Pour into two greased and waxed paper-lined 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
- In a large bowl, beat cream filling ingredients until smooth; cover and refrigerate. For cherry filling, drain cherries, reserving juice. In a saucepan, combine cornstarch, sugar and cherry juice until smooth. Add cherries. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in extract and food coloring. Cool completely.
- In a small bowl, beat chocolate filling ingredients until soft peaks form. Cover and refrigerate.
- For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the cream, sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Cover and refrigerate.
- To assemble, cut each cake into two horizontal layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with ½ cup cream filling. Place 1 cup cream filling in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a ½-in. triangle in one corner of bag. Make a rim of filling ¾ in. high around outer edge of cake.
- Make a second rim 2 in. from edge. Spoon cherry filling between rings. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Spread chocolate filling over second cake layer; place over cherry filling.
- Spread remaining cream filling over third layer; place over chocolate filling. Top with fourth layer. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls, cherries and mint. Store in the refrigerator.
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