Germany's most internationally famous dessert requires Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser by law — no cherry liqueur means it cannot legally be sold as Black Forest Cake in Germany.
About Black Forest Cake
Germany's most internationally famous dessert — alternating layers of chocolate sponge, kirsch-soaked cherries and clouds of freshly whipped cream, encased in more cream and chocolate shavings with a cherry crown; the name comes from the Black Forest region's Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser, whose cherry eau-de-vie must legally be used in the authentic version.
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is one of Germany's most legally protected desserts. Under German confectionery regulations, a Black Forest Cake must contain sufficient Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser (the cherry eau-de-vie distilled in the Black Forest region) to be identifiable in the final product. A Black Forest cake made without Kirschwasser cannot be sold under that name in Germany.
“Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is one of Germany's most legally protected desserts.”
The authentic version consists of three layers of chocolate sponge soaked in Kirschwasser, alternating with whipped cream and morello cherries, encased in more whipped cream with chocolate shavings and a final garnish of three cherries. The total height is substantial. The cream must be freshly whipped. The cherries must be dark and tart. The chocolate shavings must be dark chocolate, not milk.
