Black Forest

It's Random Recipe Time!!

This recipe comes to us today from Germany.

Black Forest Cake (American English) and Black Forest gateau (British English) are the English names for the southern German dessert Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (literally "Black Forest cherry torte").

Typically, Black Forest cake consists of several layers of chocolate cake, with whipped cream and cherries between each layer. Then the cake is decorated with additional whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings. In some European traditions sour cherries are used both between the layers and for decorating the top.^[1] Traditionally, Kirschwasser is added to the cake, although other liquors are also used (rum is common in Austrian recipes). In the USA Black Forest cake is most often prepared without alcohol.

So now that we know what it is, let's get down to it!

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cup of cake flour (if you don't have cake flour, you can use all-purpose)

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1/2 c kirsch (cherry flavored liqueur or brandy)

1 cup butter

3 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar

1 pinch of salt

1 tsp very strong coffee

2 (14 ounce) cans of sweet cherries in heavy syrup, drained

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp kirsch

1 ounce semi-sweet baking chocolate

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottoms of two 8-inch round pans with parchment paper circles. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and 1 teaspoons salt. Set aside.

Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat into flour mixture, alternating with 1 cup buttermilk, until combined. Pour into prepared pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Cool completely. Remove paper from the cakes. Divide cake into two layers. Sprinkle cut side of each layer with kirsch.

In a medium bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add confectioners sugar, pinch of salt, and coffee, beat adding buttermilk as needed for consistency. Place first layer of cake on plate(cut side down works best for frosting). Spread with 1/3 of the filling. Top with 1/3 of the cherries. Repeat with remaining layers.

n a seperate bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks. Beat in 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1 TBS kirsch. Frost top and sides of cake. Decorate with chocolate shavings made with a vegetable peeler on chocolate.

Thanks to SweetySJD at Recipezaar for such a fantastic recipe.