Black Forest Cake!

The "Black Forest Cake" is a dessert that originated in Germany as so many great desserts and baked confections did.  Black Forest is the English name for the German dessert called Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, which literally means Black Forest Cherry Torte.  

This is a really elegant looking cake that's perfect for the holidays or for a special occasion.  Here is what you will need to make it:

2/3 cup butter, softened

1 3/4 cups sugar

4 large eggs

1  1/4 cups water

4 (1 oz. each) squares of unsweetened baking chocolate

2 tsp. vanilla

1  3/4 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

Chocolate Filling

6 oz. German Chocolate

3/4 cup butter

Cream Filling

3 cups heavy whipping cream

2 Tbs. sugar

2 tsp. almond flavoring

Topping

1 cup cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.  Beat in the water just until blended.

Microwave the 4 ounces of chocolate just until melted and stir until smooth.  Stir in vanilla until blended.  Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add to the creamed mixture, alternating with the melted chocolate.   Beat after each addition.

Line four 9 inch round cake pans with parchment or wax paper and spray them liberally with nonstick baking spray, even the paper.   Divide the batter evenly between the pans.  Place in 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.   Cool in the pans for ten minutes before turning out and cooling on a wire rack.

To make the chocolate filling, melt the German Chocolate in a the microwave until melted.  Stir until smooth.  Stir in the butter until melted and smooth.

For the cream filling, place the cream in a glass bowl and beat with a mixer until it starts to thicken.  Add sugar and almond flavoring and beat until peaks form. 

To put this together, place on cake layer on a cake plate.  Spread with 1/4 of the chocolate filling and 1/4 of the cream filling on top.  Repeat the same layers two more times with the filling.  Top with the remaining cake and top it with the chocolate filling. 

Place the rest of the cream filling in a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.  Pipe a border around the top edge of the cake.  This sort of serves to hold the cherry filling on top and it looks pretty!  Carefully spoon the cherry pie filling on top.  Spread the remaining cream filling on the sides of the cake and smooth with a cake spatula.  Store in the refrigerator until time to serve!

Slice and serve!  Doesn't this make a pretty presentation? Your guests will be so impressed!