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.
165 K 4.6/5 (19 reviews)
2 hours 35 min.
Average
3 Blacks Forest gateau
8 IngredientsLast modified on: November 27th 2011
For 3 Blacks Forest gateau, you will need:
- 1
3 génoises (genoa sponge) - 2
6 tablespoons powdered cocoa - 3
1 lb + 5.1 oz Griottine cherries - 4
3 sheets gelatin - 5
9 tablespoons Kirsch - 6
1 lb + 5.1 oz liquid cream - 7
1.1 oz vanilla sugar - 8 3 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 3 génoises (genoa sponge): make the genoa sponge as usual, but add 6 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 lb + 5.1 oz 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 3 sheets gelatin in cold water.
Warm 9 tablespoons Kirsch in a small pan, then incorporate the gelatine and leave to cool.
Make a chantilly (whipped cream) with 1 lb + 5.1 oz liquid cream, 1.1 oz vanilla sugar and the kirsch.
We add the gelatine to make the cake firmer and easier to asemble. It also keeps better.
Warm 9 tablespoons Kirsch in a small pan, then incorporate the gelatine and leave to cool.
Make a chantilly (whipped cream) with 1 lb + 5.1 oz liquid cream, 1.1 oz 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 | 780 RDI=300 % | 4,840 RDI=460 % | 1,690 RDI=260 % | 37,530 RDI=1,880 % | 157,140 RDI: 1,880 % |
| 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 3 Blacks Forest gateau : 32.25 €
- 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: Gratin of Endives with Mont d'Or, Sea bass with coriander cream en papillote, Creamy cauliflower with smoked salmon, Green beans and potatoes with Morbier cream sauce, Normandy seafood stew, ... See them all 170
Griottine cherries
Like these other recipes: Galette de Fougerolles, Individual charlottes with morello cherries, Cherry and pistachio tarts, Piped petits-fours, 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: Half-cooked chocolate cake with raspberry coulis, Antoinette's caramelized apple cake, Gâteau Basque , Tatin apples with mascarpone cream, Liège waffles, ... See them all 83
Kirsch
Like these other recipes: Framboisier, Cherry clafoutis, Individual charlottes with morello cherries, Cottage cheese tart, Cherry clafoutis, ... See them all 5
Other recipes you may also like
Marzipan (almond paste)
Very easy to do if you have a food processor which can slice or grate a lot of things. December 19th 2021644 K 34.5 15 min.
Hachis parmentier
This is the French answer (meat with mashed potato and cheese) to the English cottage or shepherd's pie: a typical family recipe which is an excellent way of using up leftover meat. The proportions are vague here: you need "whatever you have left over"... February 21th 2011417 K 24.3 1 hour 25 min.
Artichoke hearts forestier
This recipe is not very complicated, but does involve some work: an artichoke heart with a layer of mushroom duxelle, a layer of fried bacon, topped with a poached egg and cream sauce. Everything can be prepared in advance (the day before for example), but the final assembly should be done just before serving. May 10th 2023279 K5 1 hour 50 min.
Fish petals, vegetables julienne, and beurre blanc
This recipe consists of delicate flakes ("petals") of poached fish, cooked with smoked ham, served on a bed of julienne vegetables (fine sticks of carrots, turnips and cabbage), with a "beurre blanc" sauce made with vinegar and shallots.... December 31th 2013267 K4 1 hour 35 min.
African style chicken
This is a sort of smoked chicken, cooked in a tomato-coconut sauce, and served with kidney beans and plain rice. It's quite a simple recipe, with ready-made ingredients, but which needs a long cooking time on low heat (one hour). February 21th 2011422 K5 2 hours 4 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-09-21)
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.