Sunday, January 23, 2011

Black Forest Cake

... but, this we all know.  Chocolate...and more chocolate... oh, and cherries.  A take on Black Forest cake.





This one is from my Company's Coming Chocolate Everything book.   Oh, and...I want a lovely glass cake plate.  A pedestal plate ... preferably with a dome.

It's simple enough ... even calls for a cake mix if you want to go that way ...which I thought about for only a nano second.  I'm sure they are much better now than they used to be...but, I still like to bake my own... plus it was for my sweetie...and he deserves my best effort.   Always.

I wish I could get smaller tins.  My oven is European size and the 9 inch tins are too large to put two on the same shelf... luckily if I diagonally place them on different shelves... they almost bake the same......plus...when you see the size of this four layer cake!!  Aacckk!  We had to call in neighbours to help us get through it.



Forget super-sizing everything.. give me some cute little tins so that I can bake a treat for two ... like they do on the cooking channel... well, the European gals do anyway... not Paula or Ina or the others.  No wonder we all have to do more jumping jacks... unlike the French or the Italians... who are lovely and slim and eat so daintily... and look like models... oh,...and ... look at the small portions and lovely cute little cakes they make!  It's a no brainer why they look so good... lovely food ... dainty portions.

okay... 'nuff complaining... onward with the recipe.  I'm giving it exactly as it is in the book... but, make any cake you like instead of the mix.

Black Forest Decadence

1   Dark chocolate cake mix ( 2 layer size)
2  cups whipping cream ( or 4 cups/  1 Litre, whipped topping)
1 TBSP  icing sugar
19 oz ( 40 ml )  cherry pie filling

Glaze:
6  semisweet chocolate baking squares (1 oz or 28 grams, each) cut up
1/2  cup light cream (half and half)  I used a bit of left over whipping cream and some milk)

Cake:
Prepare cake according to package directions.  Bake in 2 greased 9 inch (22cm) round layer pans.  Cool. Turn out onto rack.  Split each to make 4 layers.

Beat whipping cream and icing sugar in large bowl until stiff.  Reserve 1 cup (250 ml) for garnish.

Fold pie filling into remaining whipped cream.  Spread 1/3 cherry-cream mixture over 3 layers, stack as each is spread.  Add fourth layer to top.

Glaze:  Melt chocolate with light cream in medium saucepan on low, stirring constantly, until smooth.  Set pan in cold water.  Whisk until cooled enough to be slightly pourable.  Drizzle over top of cake. allowing some to run down sides  Chill.  Garnish with reserved whipped cream.  Cuts into 16 wedges.

Their photo looks like they managed to get a tidier slicing method than we did.  Or.. perhaps it was frozen...or...okay... I'm sure I don't know... all I know is... ours was not quite this tidy.

However, I do have a great tip for slicing the not too thick layers neatly in half.  My bread knife is not long enough to be seen on the opposite side of the cake...so..I was doing a hack job getting through the first cake I tried.  However, on the second cake...

Begin the slice with your bread knife... but... then..... get a long piece of unflavoured, unwaxed dental floss.  Hold each end and place the middle inside the cut.... pull the ends towards each other...overlap them...and voila!... sliced cleanly straight through the center!

9 comments:

Lisa said...

Yum, I've always enjoyed a good piece of black forest cake and yours definitely looks decadent. I like how you've simplified the making of this cake. I have a linky party on my blog every Saturday called "Sweets for a Saturday" and I'd like to invite you to stop by this weekend and link this up.

BeadedTail said...

It's been ages since I've had Black Forest Cake and now I'm craving some! Thanks for the recipe!

Buttons Thoughts said...

BumbleVee you are bad, You always make me so hungry I want to run to your house. Looks yummy Thank you for the dream. B

Hezzi-D said...

Your cake looks great! lots of chocolate. I found my glass cake plate with a dome at an auction for $5! I'd check out your local thrift shop as well, I've seen them there cheap too!

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Your cake looks oh so yummy! Thank's for sharing the recipe, I will try it one fine day too.
Have a sweet Sunday xx

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

This cake is BEAUTIFUL! I can't remember the last time I had a Black Forest Cake. I have a lovely glass cake plate and dome, but more often than not it's too small to fit over the top of the cake ones it's iced so I seldom use it.

Martha said...

This looks awesome and would be a good Valentine's dessert!

sandy said...

Well, my eyes popped out when I saw this...looks delicious.

Tink's Stuff said...

I'm on diet but that cake is giving me second thoughts , yummmmmmmmmmy