BLACK FOREST CAKE / Black Forest Gateau

Layers of moist cake with two strong flavors, chocolate and cherry filled with whipped cream.

Ingredients :

All purpose flour : 1Cup

Powdered Sugar : 1Cup

Unsweetened cocoa powder : 1/3 cup

Baking powder : 1/2tsp

Baking soda : 1tsp

Salt : 1/4tsp

Egg  : 1, at room temperature

Vegetable oil : 1/2Cup

Strong instant coffee : 1/2Cup

Vanilla extract : 1/2tsp

Milk : 1/2Cup

Vinegar : 1/2tbsp

Method :

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line a 9inch round cake tin and keep aside.

2. Mix milk and vinegar and keep aside. Sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

3.In a large bowl, whisk together the egg,oil, coffee and vanilla. Stir in the sour milk. Beat in the flour mixture until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

4. Let it cool. Make 3layers from the cake and keep them in 3 plates  / parchment paper. Poke holes with tooth pick on each layers and pour sugar syrup. After 5minutes spread the whipped cream and cherries on top of bottom and middle layer.

5. Assemble the cake neatly and frost the sides and top of the cake with whipped cream. Now garnish the sides of the cake with chocolate strands and top with chocolate curls and cherries.

For the Syrup

Granulated sugar : 1/2Cup

Water  :1/2cup

Kirsh: 1/4Cup(or 2tbsp brandy)

Method To Make The Syrup :

In a sauce pan combine sugar and water, and simmer until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in kirsch/ brandy, let it cool.(i used brandy)

For whipped Cream topping :

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tbs powdered sugar

Method to make the Whipped Cream Topping :

In a large mixing bowl beat the cream,vanilla and sugar until stiff peaks form. (Before u start, keep the bowl and beaters in refrigerator for 30 minutes)

[Recipe Courtesy: Sankeeerthanam] thanks Vrinda for such an excellent recipe.