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.
164 K 4.6/5 (19 reviews)
2 hours 35 min.
Average
2 Blacks Forest gateau
8 IngredientsLast modified on: November 27th 2011
For 2 Blacks Forest gateau, you will need:
- 1
2 génoises (genoa sponge) - 2
4 tablespoons powdered cocoa - 3
1 ¾ cup Griottine cherries - 4
2 sheets gelatin - 5
6 tablespoons Kirsch - 6
1 ¾ cup liquid cream - 7
1 ½ tablespoon vanilla sugar - 8 2 teaspoons powdered cocoa
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 2 génoises (genoa sponge): make the genoa sponge as usual, but add 4 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 1 ¾ cup 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 2 sheets gelatin in cold water.
Warm 6 tablespoons Kirsch in a small pan, then incorporate the gelatine and leave to cool.
Make a chantilly (whipped cream) with 1 ¾ cup liquid cream, 1 ½ tablespoon vanilla sugar and the kirsch.
We add the gelatine to make the cake firmer and easier to asemble. It also keeps better.
Warm 6 tablespoons Kirsch in a small pan, then incorporate the gelatine and leave to cool.
Make a chantilly (whipped cream) with 1 ¾ cup liquid cream, 1 ½ tablespoon 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 | 520 RDI=200 % | 3,230 RDI=310 % | 1,120 RDI=170 % | 25,020 RDI=1,250 % | 104,760 RDI: 1,250 % |
| Per 100 g | 30 RDI=10 % | 160 RDI=20 % | 60 RDI=9 % | 1,260 RDI=60 % | 5,280 RDI: 60 % |
| Per Black Forest gateau | 260 RDI=100 % | 1,610 RDI=150 % | 560 RDI=90 % | 12,510 RDI=630 % | 52,380 RDI: 630 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 2 Blacks Forest gateau : 21.50 €
- Per Black Forest gateau : 10.75 €
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: Pork medallions with "full" turnips, Blackberry and almond fondant tart, The total turnip, Little vanilla, clementine and chestnut verrines, Crème de foie gras, ... See them all 170
Griottine cherries
Like these other recipes: Hazelnut and cherry financiers, Cherry and pistachio tarts, Mini almond-morello tarts, Individual charlottes with morello cherries, Piped petits-fours, ... See them all 6
Vanilla sugar
You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Tyrolean apple crumble, Kouign-amann, Chocolate rolls (petits pains), Strawberry mousse with mascarpone, Cottage cheese tart, ... See them all 83
Kirsch
Like these other recipes: Cherry clafoutis, Individual charlottes with morello cherries, Framboisier, Cottage cheese tart, Cherry clafoutis, ... See them all 5
Other recipes you may also like
Finger biscuits
These small biscuits, that look a bit like savoy biscuits, are delicious alone or with Champagne, but are also the base for charlottes or Tiramisu. July 30th 2021352 K5 50 min.
Citrus crunch
These are fine crumbs of candied citrus peel. It can be used to sprinkle a dessert or other preparation to add both crunch and the flavour of the chosen citrus fruit. It is easy to prepare well in advance, and will keep in an airtight jar. This recipe is given for clementines, but can be made with all citrus fruits: lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit... February 2nd 2016243 K3.7 1 hour 20 min.
French dressing (vinaigrette)
Here is a very simple recipe, but it could completely transform, maybe even transcend, your salad. July 7th 20111.06 M4.5 7 min.
Sugar syrup
This syrup is mainly used as a basis for all sorbet recipes, which consist of this syrup and fruit pulp, but it can be also used to soak biscuits for example, or for fruit salads. February 21th 2011765 K3.5 8 min.
Small foie gras pasties
Dainty pasties, filled with a morsel of seasoned foie gras. September 7th 2018329 K4.6 2 hours
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-09-14)
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.