Weekend Dessert - Black Forest Chocolate Torte Recipe

Black Forest Chocolate Torte Recipe

By Mark F Weber

Germans believe Der Zweck einer Mahlzeit Dessert, or the purpose of a meal is dessert. This recipe is for a chocolate cake with Kirschwasser, whipped cream, cherries and chocolate shavings is native to the Black Forest in southwest Germany. Kirschwasser never tasted so sweet and the objective of a meal was never more appealing.

The Black Forrest is 4,600 square miles of woodland in the southwest corner of Germany, not far from France and Switzerland. The name came from the Romans because very little light shined through the trees. The Black Forrest is so dark and mysterious that much of Germany's folklore, including many of the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales comes from the area.

Brother Doug, a professional chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, adapted the following recipe from the archives of the Weber family, who immigrated to the United States in 1858.

Black Forrest Torte

Chocolate Genoise, (yields 2 - 10" cakes)

Eggs,(18 ounces); sugar,(12 ounces); cake flour,(10 ounces); cocoa powder,(2 ounces); butter,(4 ounces); and vanilla extract, (¼ ounce)

1. heat sugar and eggs to 110 degrees Fahrenheit over water bath

2. whip in mixer with whip attachment for approximately 15 minutes

3. sift cocoa with cake flour

4. gently fold flour and cocoa into sponge being very careful not to deflate

5. gently fold butter and vanilla into batter being very careful not to deflate

6. divide mixture into 2 10" cake pans which have been greased and floured

7. bake in 360 degrees for 30-35 minutes

8. cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing cake onto a rack to cool completely

Kirsch Whipped Topping

Heavy whipping cream, (1 quart); powdered sugar,(4 ounces); and Kirschwasser, (3 ounces)

1. whip cream to soft peaks

2. fold in sugar and kirsch

3. whip cream to firm peaks but do not over mix

Kirschwasser Soaked Cherries

Dark cherries, (32 pitted); and Kirschwasser, (½ cup)

1. soak cherries in kirsch for two hours

Chocolate Shavings

1. temper 4 ounces of bittersweet chocolate and pour out over a marble slab

2. allow to set

3. scrape with blade of knife to create curls or shavings

Assembly

1. Split each cake into two layers

2. brush each layer with Kirschwasser, ice with whipped cream with 16 cherry halves on each layer

3. stack cake four layers high, complete icing entire cake with whipped cream

4. decorate as desired

5. garnish top of cake with 8 whole cherries and chocolate shavings

Do not sample too much of the Kirschwasser when preparing the recipe. If the wicked witch served my brother's Black Forest Chocolate Torte, Hansel and Gretel would have stayed for dinner. Bon Appétit!

Mark Weber is an international business professor in Rochester, NY, who traveled the world on behalf of the Eastman Kodak Company and Heidelberger Druckmachinen, especially Germany. Weber brings a unique perspective on the customs, attractions, transportation options, language, and food.

Freiburg - Where Wind, Sun, and Water Meet http://mygermantravels.com/2011/02/freiburg-where-wind-sun-and-water-meet/

Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks - The Magic http://mygermantravels.com/2011/02/black-forest-cuckoo-clocks-the-magic/

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