This site uses only a few technical cookies necessary for its operation. By continuing to browse, you accept their use.
To find out more...
To find out more...
Black Forest gateau
Black Forest gateau is a sophisticated dessert which comes from Germany. It is essentially a combination of four flavours: chocolate, cherries, cream and kirsch. Here is my own version.
160 K 4.6/5 (19 reviews)
2 hours 35 min.
Average
1 Black Forest gateau
8 IngredientsLast modified on: November 27th 2011
For 1 Black Forest gateau, you will need:
- 1
1 génoise (genoa sponge) - 2
2 tablespoons powdered cocoa - 3
200 g Griottine cherries - 4
1 sheet gelatin - 5
3 tablespoons Kirsch - 6
200 ml liquid cream - 7
10 g vanilla sugar - 8 1 teaspoon powdered cocoa
- Total weight: 995 grams
Change these quantities to make:
Change measures:
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 2 hours 35 min.
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 1 hour 25 min.
Prepare a chocolate-flavoured 1 génoise (genoa sponge): make the genoa sponge as usual, but add 2 tablespoons powdered cocoa to the flour before adding the beaten eggs.
You can scatter a few flaked almonds in the bottom of the mould or tin before pouring in the mixture, but this is not essential.
You can scatter a few flaked almonds in the bottom of the mould or tin before pouring in the mixture, but this is not essential.
Stage 2 - 5 min.
Slice the sponge in two horizontally.
For real attention to detail, you can trim off the the top crust, which will help the cake to absorb the syrup later.
For real attention to detail, you can trim off the the top crust, which will help the cake to absorb the syrup later.
Stage 3 - 3 min.
Place a layer of sponge on the serving plate.
Stage 4 - 3 min.
Drain 200 g Griottine cherries but save all the syrup.
Stage 5 - 5 min.
Use a brush to soak the sponge on the plate with the syrup from the cherries.
Stage 6 - 5 min.
Surround the sponge with a band of paper or plastic to make the assembly which follows easier.
Of course, if you have a dessert ring of the right size, use this.
Of course, if you have a dessert ring of the right size, use this.
Stage 7 - 15 min.
Soak 1 sheet gelatin in cold water.
Warm 3 tablespoons Kirsch in a small pan, then incorporate the gelatine and leave to cool.
Make a chantilly (whipped cream) with 200 ml liquid cream, 10 g vanilla sugar and the kirsch.
We add the gelatine to make the cake firmer and easier to asemble. It also keeps better.
Warm 3 tablespoons Kirsch in a small pan, then incorporate the gelatine and leave to cool.
Make a chantilly (whipped cream) with 200 ml liquid cream, 10 g vanilla sugar and the kirsch.
We add the gelatine to make the cake firmer and easier to asemble. It also keeps better.
Stage 8 - 5 min.
Spread a layer of cream on top of the sponge. If your cream is not in a cream whipper, use a forcing bag to make this easier.
Stage 9 - 5 min.
Spread an even layer of cherries on the cream.
Stage 10 - 5 min.
Then a second layer of cream.
Stage 11 - 5 min.
Soak the second half of the sponge with cherry syrup and sit it on the cream layer.
Stage 12 - 5 min.
Add a third layer of cream on the top.
Stage 13 - 3 min.
Sprinkle with cocoa powder or scatter with chocolate chips.
Stage 14 - 5 min.
Remove the band of paper and refrigerate until serving.
Remarks
If you can't get griottines, you can use amarena cherries in syrup or fresh cherries (when in season, of course). In which case, you will need to stone them first, then simmer them in a pan with a little sugar and kirsch.
For a richer and more sophisticated gateau, you can slice the genoa sponge into 3 layers (rather than two) and add an extra layer of cherries and cream.
Heston Blumenthal, the famous English chef, is a fan of Black Forest gateau, which he calls BFG. He includes surprising variations on his menu, including a little individual kirsch spray.
For a richer and more sophisticated gateau, you can slice the genoa sponge into 3 layers (rather than two) and add an extra layer of cherries and cream.
Heston Blumenthal, the famous English chef, is a fan of Black Forest gateau, which he calls BFG. He includes surprising variations on his menu, including a little individual kirsch spray.
Keeping: 1 or 2 days in the fridge, covered with film.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 260 RDI=100 % | 1,610 RDI=150 % | 560 RDI=90 % | 12,510 RDI=630 % | 52,380 RDI: 630 % |
| Per 100 g | 30 RDI=10 % | 160 RDI=20 % | 60 RDI=9 % | 1,260 RDI=60 % | 5,280 RDI: 60 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 1 Black Forest gateau : $12.65
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Liquid cream
Like these other recipes: Baked eggs with chicken and spinach, Sorrel omelette, Lemon creams, Creamy cauliflower with smoked salmon, Strawberry mousse with mascarpone, ... See them all 170
Griottine cherries
Like these other recipes: Cherry and pistachio tarts, Piped petits-fours, Individual charlottes with morello cherries, Galette de Fougerolles, Hazelnut and cherry financiers, ... See them all 6
Vanilla sugar
You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Liège waffles, Pear and chocolate tart with a hint of mint, Lemon and grated apple tart, Hot chocolate, Chaud-froid of grapefruit, pineapple and lime custard , ... See them all 83
Kirsch
Like these other recipes: Cherry clafoutis, Framboisier, Cherry clafoutis, Cottage cheese tart, Individual charlottes with morello cherries, ... See them all 5
Other recipes you may also like
Fruit crumble
A fruit pudding: very easy to do and delicious: just a layer of fruit with a golden crunchy topping.February 21th 2011362 K4.0 1 hour 15 min.
Toasted almond cake
A layer cake, with toasted almonds in the chocolate part.July 5th 2016246 K4.4 2 hours 2 min.
Nanou's chocolate cake
A moist melting cake, very very chocolaty...June 22th 2013287 K4.6 1 hour 45 min.
Exotic fruit tart
An exotic fruit tart (bananas, kiwi and pineapple), with crisp pastry and almond cream which are cooked beforehand. It's a rather simple recipe, but the final result will impress your guests.May 27th 2020326 K5 2 hours 25 min.
Pear tart with almond cream
This is a very quick and easy tart to make, as everything (or almost) can be done in advance. A piece of sweetcrust pastry, some almond cream and pears? You have "everything you need".March 17th 2011369 K4.3 1 hour 15 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-07-13)
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Follow this recipe
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.