Black Forest Cake - History of Black Forest Cake

Black Forest Cake
 

This is a easy-to-make version of Black Forest Cake.

Recipe Type: Cake, Chocolate
Cuisine: German
Yields: Makes one (1) four-layer cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min

Ingredients:

 

1 box dark chocolate or devil's food cake mix (your favorite brand)
1 teaspoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups heavy cream or whipping cream
1/3 cup powdered (confectioner’s) sugar
1/4 cup Kirshwasser (Cherry Brandy), divided
1 container whipped icing (cream cheese or vanilla)
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling, divided
Maraschino cherries (for garnish)
1 to 2 ounces shaved semisweet chocolate

Preparation:

Make chocolate cake according to package directions, adding 1 teaspoon red food coloring and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Bake cake, as directed, in two 9-inch layer cake pans. When done baking, remove from oven and cool the cake completely on a wire rack. When the cake is cooled, wrap each layer in plastic wrap. Place layers in the refrigerator for approximately 1  hour.
In a large bowl of the electric mixer, whip together the heavy cream and powdered sugar. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Using a sharp knife, slice each cooled cake round horizontally to make four layers.

First Layer: Place one layer on a flat plate and brush with 2 tablespoons cherry brandy. Fill a plastic bag with whipped vanilla or cream cheese icing (your choice) and pipe a generous ring (at least one (1) cherry high!) around the edge of first cake layer. Fill the exposed ring of the cake with some of the cherry pie filling.
Second Layer: Place the second layer on top of the first layer. Repeat first layer process with the second layer.
Third Layer: Place third layer on top of the second layer. Repeat process with the second layer.
Fourth Layer: Place fourth layer on top of the third layer. Frost the entire cake with freshly whipped cream.

Garnish the top of the cake with (cherries picked from the pie filling) or maraschino cherries. Sprinkle the top chocolate shavings. Gently press chocolate shavings onto sides of cake.
Refrigerate for at least two hours prior to serving. Slice while well chilled for best results.
Makes one (1) four-layer cake



                                           History of Black Forest Cake


16th Century - Historians believe it originated in the late 16^th century in the Black Forest Region (Der Schwarzwald in German) located in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The name, Schwarzwald, evokes darkness and mystery coming from the romantic German concept of Waldeinsamkeit or forest-loneliness. During this era, chocolate was first integrated into cakes and cookies. This region is known for its sour cherries and Kirsch or Kirschwasser (a double distilled, clear cherry brandy made from the sour Morello cherry). Combine these cherries with the German’s love of chocolate, and you have this wonderful chocolate confection with cream and cherries. It is thought that the cake is named after this brandy.
1915 - Following history of the Black Forest Cake from the Cafe Schaefer web site:

Josef Keller (1887-1981) is the inventor of the Black Forest cherry cake. Keller was the pastry chef in the Café “Ahrend” (today called Agner) in Bad Godesberg. In the year 1915 he created for the first time what he called a “Schwarzwaelder Kirsch”, or “Black Forest Cherry”.
After his time in the military, Josef Keller established his own café in Radolfzell. August Schaefer learned the trade as the apprentice to Josef Keller in Radolfzell from 1924 to 1927. After many years of collaboration, Josef Keller gave August Schaefer his recipe book which contained the original recipe. His son, Claus Schaefer, the current Konditormeister of the Triberg Café Schaefer, inherited the book and the original recipe and has thus been able to carry on making Josef Keller’s original.
Today the recipe book and the original recipe for the now world-famous “Schwarzwaelder Kirsch” can be found with August Schaefer’s son, Claus Schaefer, the current head chef at Triberg’s Konditorei Schaefer.

1930 - According to research carried out by Tübingen town archivist, Udo Rauch, evidence is also pointing to master patissier, Erwin Hildenbrand, as having invented the Black Forest gateau in the spring of 1930 at the Café Walz in Tübingen. Before this he was working in several places in the Black Forest.

1949 - The cake was rated the 13th best known cake in Germany.