Schwarzer Magister - German Black Forest Cake

Ingredients

• For the chocolate cake: For the chocolate cake:
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) milk 1 cup (240ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) boiling water 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
• For the cherry filling: For the cherry filling:
• 2 cups (500g) pitted cherries, fresh or frozen 2 cups (500g) pitted cherries, fresh or frozen
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (60ml) cherry liqueur 1/4 cup (60ml) cherry liqueur
• For the whipped cream topping: For the whipped cream topping:
• 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For decoration: For decoration:
• Dark chocolate shavings Dark chocolate shavings
• Fresh cherries Fresh cherries

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 15g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 55g, 40g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch (23cm) round cake pans.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. 3.
   Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually pour in the boiling water while stirring the batter. The batter will be thin, but that's normal.
5. 5.
   Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. 6.
   While the cakes are baking, prepare the cherry filling. In a saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and the cherries release their juices. Remove from heat and stir in the cherry liqueur. Let it cool.
7. 7.
   Once the cakes are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. 8.
   In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
9. 9.
   To assemble the cake, place one layer of chocolate cake on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of cherry filling over the cake. Top with a layer of whipped cream. Repeat with the second layer of cake, cherry filling, and whipped cream.
10. 10.
    Decorate the top of the cake with chocolate shavings and fresh cherries.
11. 11.
    Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cherry liqueur — If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can substitute cherry juice or cherry syrup for the liqueur.
• Dark chocolate shavings — Use a vegetable peeler to create beautiful chocolate shavings from a high-quality dark chocolate bar.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of cherry flavor, you can add a layer of cherry compote between the cake layers.
• Make sure the cakes are completely cooled before assembling the cake to prevent the whipped cream from melting.
• To make the cake even more indulgent, you can drizzle some chocolate ganache over the top before decorating with chocolate shavings and cherries.
• If you don't have two cake pans, you can bake the cake in one pan and then slice it in half horizontally to create the layers.
• Serve the cake slightly chilled for the best texture and flavor.

Serving advice

Serve each slice of Schwarzer Magister with a dollop of whipped cream and a fresh cherry on top. Pair it with a cup of hot coffee or a glass of cold milk for a delightful dessert experience.

Presentation advice

To present the Schwarzer Magister beautifully, place the cake on a cake stand or a decorative serving platter. Dust the top with powdered sugar and arrange fresh cherries around the base of the cake. The dark chocolate shavings on top will add an elegant touch.