Black Forest Cake

This ever tempting cake is an example of German baking tradition. Originally called Schwarzwaelder Kirschtorte, Black Forest cake typically consist of three layers of chocolate cake filled with whipped cream and cherries between each layer.
These layers are topped with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and once again, cherries.

Traditionally the Germans spread Kirschwasser (some kind of liquor) in each layer. Rhum is often used outside of German, including Indonesia.

I remember the time when Black Forest cake was such a hit in Jakarta. Black Forest cakes were elegantly packed as exclusive gifts or served in Chrismast Eve.

Back in early 90s when I when I was in high school, American Hamburger (AH, as it was well known as) restaurant was one of the resto-bakery that served good -and affordable- Black Forest cakes. One of the reasons why, is the taste of the rhum. They used real rhum (I asked the waiter myself if they used real or merely rhum essence).

Well I don't use any liquor anymore in my cakes . Good thing Phoon Huat has halal Rhum flavour, which is not bad either..so the black forest did not lose that 'zing' sensation of the liquor :)).

This is NCC's recipe. What so special about this recipe is, it is using cinnamon in the filling. It adds special flavour to the cake.

BLACK FOREST CAKE

Ingredients:

8 eggs

60 gr chocolate powder

40 gr cornflour

100 gr flour

1 tbsp emulsifier

100 gr melted butter

200 gr sugar

1/4 tsp vanili powder

whipped cream

100 gr dark cooking chocolate

10 red cherries ( I used strawberries)

1 can of black cherry

2 tbsp of cornflour, mix with a little amount of water

1 tsp cinnamon powder

Method:

Mix flour, choc powder and cornflour.

Beat eggs, sugar and emulsifier until thick, sieve flour into the batter. Mix with rubber spatula.

Mix in melted butter. Bake.

For the filling:

Sieve and seperate black cherries from the water. Cut into halves.

Bring cherry water into slow boil, beat in cornflour and cinnamon powder. Boil it again.

Put inside halved cherries, bring to boil again. Remove from the stove and cool off.

Finishing

Cut the cake into 3 layers horizontally, spread each with simple syrup.

Put one layer, spread it with black cherries, whipped cream. Put the other layer, fill with black cherries and whipped cream, put the last layer on the top.

Spread all the surface with whipped cream, decorate with chocolate shavings and red cherries. Enjoy!