Black Forest Cake

Ingredients · 8 servings

• 600 gChocolate sponge, baked and cooled
• 350 gSour cherry, drained
• 60 mlKirsch
• 700 gWhipped cream, chilled
• 80 gChocolate shaving (to serve)
• 120 gSugar
• 100 mlWater

Equipment

stovetop, refrigerator, saucepan, whisk, cake ring, serrated knife, offset spatula, mixing bowl, serving plate, spoon, cutting board, pastry brush

Instructions

1. 1
   Gather Station

   Gather measured ingredients, a saucepan, whisk, cake ring, serrated knife, offset spatula, bowl, and serving plate before starting. · 5 min

   What to look for: All ingredients and tools are ready on the work surface.

2. 2
   Make Syrup

   Simmer water and 60 g sugar for 3 minutes, remove from heat, cool until warm, then stir in kirsch for a clear cherry syrup. · 8 min

   What to look for: The sugar is dissolved and the syrup looks clear.

3. 3
   Sweeten Cream

   Whisk chilled whipped cream with the remaining 60 g sugar until it holds soft peaks and looks smooth, stopping before it turns grainy. · 5 min

   What to look for: The cream is glossy and forms soft peaks.

4. 4
   Slice Sponge

   Slice chocolate sponge horizontally into 3 even layers with a serrated knife, brushing crumbs aside so the layers lie flat. · 6 min

   What to look for: The sponge is divided into 3 even round layers.

5. 5
   Fill Base

   Place 1 sponge layer on the plate, brush with kirsch syrup, spread cream, and scatter sour cherries evenly across the surface. · 8 min

   What to look for: The first layer is moist, creamy, and evenly dotted with cherries.

6. 6
   Build Layers

   Repeat with the second sponge layer, more syrup, cream, and sour cherries, then cap with the final sponge layer and brush it lightly. · 8 min

   What to look for: The cake stands level with visible cream and cherry layers inside.

7. 7
   Coat Cake

   Cover the top and sides with the remaining cream, smoothing it into a thick white coat that seals the chocolate layers. · 5 min

   What to look for: The cake is fully covered in a smooth cream layer.

8. 8
   Decorate Serve

   Press chocolate shavings onto the sides and top, chill for 2 hours, then slice with a warm knife and serve cold. · 2 h

   What to look for: The cream is set and the chocolate shavings cling to the cake.