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Black Forest gateau

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Black Forest gateau
A chocolate cake with whipped cream and cherry fillings
Alternative namesBlack Forest cake (United States)
Place of originGermany
Main ingredientsButter, cocoa powder, cherries, eggs, flour, jam, Kirsch, sugar, and whipped cream

Black Forest gateau,[a] (German: Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte; pronounced [ˈʃvaʁt͡svɛldɐ ˈkɪʁʃˌtɔʁtə] ⓘ, literally "Black Forest cherry torte") or Black Forest cake, is a layer cake made out of cocoa powder, cherries, Kirsch, and whipped cream, with dark chocolate as a decoration. The origins of the cake and its name are disputed. However, the cake's recipe from 1927 is kept at an archive in Radolfzell, Germany. Black Forest gateau became popular in the second half of the 20th century and is now featured internationally in cafés and restaurants. A festival dedicated to the cake is organised in Todtnauberg.

History

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The origin of Black Forest gateau is disputed.[2][3] In 1915, while working at a café in Bad Godesberg, confectioner Josef Keller [de] (1887–1981) claimed to have invented Black Forest gateau (German: Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte).[2] He made the cake by mixing schnapps, whipped cream, and cherries. Keller continued to serve the cake at his café after relocating to Radolfzell.[2][4] Besides Keller, Erwin Hildenbrandt, a pastry chef in Tübingen, also claims to have created the cake in 1930. Although the origin of the cake's name is similarly disputed,[5] food writer Ursula Heinzelmann claims that it comes from the cake's resemblance to the Black Forest region's black, white, and red costume.[2] According to a different theory, the cherries on the cake are supposed to resemble bollenhut headwear.[6]

The first written recipe of Black Forest gateau appeared in 1927, where it is kept at an archive in Radolfzell.[2][5] Dr. Oetker featured a Black Forest gateau recipe for the first time in their 1951 cookbook.[2] The recipe for the cake was protected by the European Commission in 2013, therefore for it to be referred as Black Forest gateau in the European Union, the Kirsch in the cake must be produced from cherries cultivated in the Black Forest region.[7][8] In Todtnauberg, a festival dedicated to Black Forest gateau is organised.[4][9]

Internationally, the cake was spread by German immigrants during the period of Nazi Germany.[3] However, it only became popular in the second half of the 20th century.[2] In the United States, where the cake is known as Black Forest cake,[3] the cake was introduced by German immigrants.[10] In popular culture, the cake is featured in the Portal (2007) game developed by Valve, which inspired an Internet meme.[11][12]

Ingredients and preparation

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The primary ingredients of Black Forest gateau are butter, cocoa powder, eggs, flour, Kirsch, and sugar.[13][14] The recipe calls for whisking together eggs and sugar, followed by the addition of cocoa powder and flour mixture and butter.[1] After that, the cake batter is baked for 20 to 40 minutes.[1][14] In addition, cherry jam is poured on top of the cake after whipped cream and icing sugar have been mixed and evenly distributed.[1] Kirsch can be used as part of the cherry filling and frosting.[8][14] On top of the cake, spirals of whipped cream and cherries are added.[1] Dark chocolate can be added as a decoration.[1][2]

Variations

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While liquor is frequently left out of the cake in countries with a predominance of Muslims, rum is used in Trinidad and Tobago in place of Kirsch. In Singapore, blueberry jam is used instead of cherry jam.[3] Non-cake variations of Black Forest cake include chocolate bars and ice cream.[5]

Reception

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Since its inception, it has gained international recognition in cafés and restaurants.[3][4] Christopher Kull, the chief executive officer of the Black Forest Tourism Association, said that the cake is "Freiburg's most famous export".[4] According to Priya Krishna of The New York Times, the cake is "a European artefact" that has crossed cultural boundaries, while Heinzelmann called it "the most famous German torte, at its best a marvellous combination of richness and lightness".[2][3]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Also spelled gâteau.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Locatelli, Giorgio. "Black Forest Gâteau". BBC Food. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Goldstein, Darra; Heinzelmann, Ursula (2015). The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets. Oxford University Press. p. 65. ISBN 9780199313396.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Krishna, Priya (29 April 2024). "How Did Black Forest Cake Become the World's Favorite Dessert?". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Ruf, Jürgen (19 October 2015). "Black Forest Gateau Celebrates Its 100th Birthday". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Finkbeiner, Hannes (8 September 2024). "Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte: deutscher Exportschlager – aber auch erste Sahne?" [Black Forest Cake: A German Export Hit – But Is It Also Top-Notch?]. RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (in German). Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  6. ^ Konrad, Dominic (22 May 2024). "Beliebtestes Dessert der Welt: Warum die Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte weltweit begeistert" [Most Popular Dessert in the World: Why the Black Forest Gateau is Loved Worldwide]. Südwestrundfunk (in German). Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  7. ^ "Black Forest Gateau Region Says 'Danke' to Europe". Channel 4. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  8. ^ a b Theoktisto, Anna (22 August 2023). "Make the Most of Cherry Season With This Black Forest Cake". Food & Wine. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  9. ^ Hans, Jessica; Zeiler, Paula (16 April 2023). "Ausgezeichnet: Die schönsten und leckersten Schwarzwälder Kirschtorten" [Award-Winning: The most Beautiful and Delicious Black Forest Cakes]. Südwestrundfunk (in German). Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  10. ^ Smith, Andrew F. (2004). The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America (1st ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 564. ISBN 9780195175516.
  11. ^ LeJacq, Yannick (24 April 2013). "The 'Portal' Cake Is Not a Lie ... Almost". NBC News. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  12. ^ Frevele, Jamie (11 May 2012). "Feast of Fiction Tackles Portal's Black Forest Cake, GLaDOS Advises Fruit or Starvation As An Alternative". The Mary Sue. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  13. ^ Cook, Sarah. "Black Forest Gateau". Good Food. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  14. ^ a b c Cloake, Felicity (19 December 2013). "How to Make the Perfect Black Forest Gateau". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
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