Germany · Central Europe

Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte)

Name: Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte)
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: One 9-inch cake
Cuisine: Germany
Ingredients: 6 large eggs; 150 g (3/4 cup) sugar; 100 g (3/4 cup) flour; 50 g (1/2 cup) cocoa powder; 50 g (3 tbsp) melted butter; 600 ml (2 1/2 cups) heavy cream; 3 tbsp powdered sugar; 1 jar morello/sour cherries, drained; 3 tbsp kirsch (optional); Dark chocolate shavings

Chocolate sponge with cherries, cream, and kirsch

🛂 Passport Stamp No.007 · Postmarked in Germany

👦 Baked by Axl

60m

Prep

30m

Bake

One 9-inch cake

Makes

Advanced

Level

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Postmark · Germany

🏛 A little history

Named for the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany, the cake layers chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and sour cherries, traditionally laced with Kirschwasser (cherry brandy).

It gained its modern form in the early 20th century and is protected by German tradition — an authentic version must contain kirsch.

👩‍🍳 Let's bake!

Whip eggs and sugar until tripled in volume. Sift in flour and cocoa and fold gently.
Fold in melted butter. Divide between two lined pans.
Bake at 175°C (350°F) for about 28–30 minutes. Cool completely, then slice each layer in half horizontally.
Brush layers with a little kirsch and cherry syrup.
Whip cream with powdered sugar to firm peaks.
Stack: sponge, cream, cherries — repeat. Coat the outside in cream.
Press chocolate shavings onto the sides, pipe cream rosettes on top, and crown each with a cherry. Chill before serving.

💡 Chef Axl's tips

Chill the assembled cake at least 2 hours so it slices cleanly.
Leave out the kirsch for a kid-friendly version and add extra cherry syrup.

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All-Purpose Flour

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Pantry

Sugar

Sweetens and helps bakes turn golden and tender.

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Cocoa Powder

For deep, rich chocolate flavour.

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Vanilla Extract

A splash of warm, sweet aroma in every batter.

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Tools

Parchment Paper

Non-stick lining so nothing sticks to the pan.

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Bakeware

Round Cake Pan

A sturdy round pan for perfectly even cake layers.

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Offset Spatula

Angled blade for spreading frosting like a pro.

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Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte)

🏛 A little history

👩‍🍳 Let's bake!

💡 Chef Axl's tips

Shop this recipe

All-Purpose Flour

Sugar

Cocoa Powder

Vanilla Extract

Parchment Paper

Round Cake Pan

Offset Spatula

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