Black Forest gateau


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.
170 K 4.6/5 (19 reviews)
Grade this recipe:
Keywords:
Last modified on: November 27th 2011
For this recipe: Comment Send to a friend Ask me a question Follow Printable Diaporama
For 1 Black Forest gateau, you will need:

Change these quantities to make:
Change measures:
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 2 hours 35 min.
When should you start or finish this recipe?
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.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 1
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.

Stage 2 - ⌛ 5 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 2
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.

Stage 3 - ⌛ 3 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 3
Place a layer of sponge on the serving plate.

Stage 4 - ⌛ 3 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 4
Drain 200 g Griottine cherries but save all the syrup.

Stage 5 - ⌛ 5 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 5
Use a brush to soak the sponge on the plate with the syrup from the cherries.

Stage 6 - ⌛ 5 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 6
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.

Stage 7 - ⌛ 15 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 7
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.

Stage 8 - ⌛ 5 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 8
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.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 9
Spread an even layer of cherries on the cream.

Stage 10 - ⌛ 5 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 10
Then a second layer of cream.

Stage 11 - ⌛ 5 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 11
Soak the second half of the sponge with cherry syrup and sit it on the cream layer.

Stage 12 - ⌛ 5 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 12
Add a third layer of cream on the top.

Stage 13 - ⌛ 3 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 13
Sprinkle with cocoa powder or scatter with chocolate chips.

Stage 14 - ⌛ 5 min.
Black Forest gateau : Stage 14
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.
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 recipe260 RDI=100 %1,610 RDI=150 %560 RDI=90 %12,510 RDI=630 %52,380 RDI: 630 %
Per 100 g30 RDI=10 %160 RDI=20 %60 RDI=9 %1,260 RDI=60 %5,280 RDI: 60 %
The % figures are calculated in relation to the Recommended Dietary Intake , or RDI of 2,000 k-calories (or 8,400 k-joules) per day for a woman
Possible allergens in this recipe: egg, milk, Gluten, Nuts
How much will it cost?
  • For 1 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)
Other recipes you may also like
Small foie gras pasties
Small foie gras pasties
Dainty pasties, filled with a morsel of seasoned foie gras.
September 7th 2018335 K4.6 2 hours
Chicken nems
Chicken nems
Nems are probably the best known Far Eastern dish in France. These small crispy rolls can be made in different flavours: chicken, crab, pork, etc. Making your own is not very complicated, the only difficulty is in the rolling stage. You will find in this recipe full details on how to successfully make chicken nems. [Translator's note: the "rice paper" used here is not the same as the rice paper used in England under macaroons, it's sold in packs of thin round translucent wafers, rather like...
April 6th 2017528 K3.8 2 hours 25 min.
Eggs en Cocotte à la Française
Eggs en Cocotte à la Française
Eggs cooked in small ramekins with a tasty mix of peas, bacon, onion and cream - even more French than the classic version!
April 27th 2020136 K4.5 35 min.
Flamiche
Flamiche
Flamiche is a savoury tart from the Picardy region of northeasten France. It is a cousin of quiche lorraine, but the pastry is characteristically made with lard and the filling has neither bacon nor eggs. This version contains a mixture of endives and leeks (white part only).
April 30th 201761 K 14.5 1 hour 20 min.
Epiphany galette
Epiphany galette
Here is the recipe for the very classic but delicious "galette des rois" (Epiphany galette) in puff or flaky pastry (pâte feuilletée) with almond cream or frangipane . You will also see some professional tips to easily handle the dough, and obtain a nice and regular galette.
January 1st 2025315 K 24.5 3 hours 8 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com

Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2026-01-18)

*Your e-mail Your first name or nickname
I am not a leaving thing
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Posted by:
I am not a leaving thing

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.
I am not a leaving thing
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.

Back to top of page