Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte)

Black Forest Cake (German: Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) is a famous German layer cake made with cocoa powder, cherries, Kirsch (cherry brandy), and whipped cream, decorated with dark chocolate. Named after the Black Forest region in southwestern Germany, this iconic dessert has become one of Germany's most internationally recognized culinary exports. The cake consists of multiple layers of chocolate sponge cake soaked with Kirsch, filled with whipped cream and cherries, and typically decorated with additional whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings. The origins of the cake and its name are disputed, but a recipe from 1927 is preserved in archives in Radolfzell, Germany. Black Forest gateau became particularly popular in the second half of the 20th century and is now featured internationally in cafés and restaurants worldwide. The cake represents the rich culinary traditions of the Black Forest region, known for its cherry orchards and Kirsch production. A festival dedicated to the cake is organized annually in Todtnauberg, celebrating this beloved German dessert.