Troy Warren for CNT #Celebrations

NATIONAL BLACK FOREST CAKE DAY

March 28th recognizes a decadent and delicious dessert on National Black Forest Cake Day. Black Forest cake is the English name for the German dessert Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte, meaning “Black Forest cherry torte.”

Most often, bakers layer several sheets of chocolate cake with whipped cream and cherries between each layer to make Black Forest cake. Then they decorated the cake with whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings. Some traditional recipes call for sour cherries between the layers and a Kirschwasser (a clear liquor distilled from tart cherries) to be added to the cake. In the United States, bakers usually do not use alcohol. However, in Germany, liqueur is a mandatory ingredient. Otherwise, the cake can not legally be sold under the Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte name.

The cake is named after the specialty liquor (Schwarzwalder Kirschwasser) of the region of the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) mountain range in southwestern Germany.

Beyond the history of the cake, bakers and pastry chefs create elegant displays when baking Black Forest cake. The combination of rich chocolate layered with contrasting color and bold red cherries offer bakers an opportunity to design remarkable pieces. Their decadent interpretations leave us with fantastic memories and a sweet piece of cake to enjoy, too.

HOW TO OBSERVE #BlackForestCakeDay

Visit your favorite bakery and order a delicious black forest cake to bring home.
Give your favorite bakery a shout-out.
Or, break out the cake pans and bake one up yourself.
Show off your keen baking skills with one of these delicious recipes!
You can also watch cake decorating shows to see what bakers design with a black forest recipe. What’s your favorite slice?
As you celebrate, be sure to use #BlackForestCakeDay to post on social media.

Black Forest Cake FAQ

Q. Where does the Black Forest cake get its name?
A. Though one might think the Black Forest region of Germany has something to do with a name like Black Forest cake, one would be almost correct but not quite. The brandy used to make the cake is called Schwarzwald Edel Kirsch or Black Forest Nobel Cherry. The cherries and the liquor that is distilled from them all come from the Black Forest region of Germany.

Q. What kind of frosting is used on Black Forest cake?
A. A light vanilla frosting complements the rich flavors of a Black Forest cake.