Black Forest Torte Schwarzwaelder Kirschtorte Gluten Free Recipes

SCHWARZWäLDER KIRSCHTORTE (GERMAN BLACK FOREST CAKE)

Steps:

• The brandied cherries need to be made a day ahead of assembling the cake. Combine the frozen cherries, 1/3 c Kirsch and 1/3 sugar in a bowl and let thaw completely. Stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Keep covered and chilled until ready to use.
• Preheat oven to 350 Deg F. Line the bottom or three 8" round cake pans with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl sift together the flour and cocoa powder.
• In another small bowl melt the butter and allow it to cool to room temperature as the eggs and sugar mix.
• In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, mix the eggs and sugar together on high for 5-7 minutes until thick and pale and tripled in volume. Add in the vanilla and salt and whip another minute.
• Fold in the flour mixture in two portions into the egg mixture, being careful not to deflate the egg mixture. Take out a cup of the mixture and combine with the melted butter, then add back into the rest of the batter and fold in a few more times. A few streaks of flour is ok, you really don't want the batter to deflate too much.
• Divide amongst the prepared pans then bake for 20-24 minutes or until the cakes are puffed and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool completely in pans, then carefully run a knife around the edges and invert to a cooling rack, or wrap in plastic wrap and chill until ready to use.
• Whip the cream until soft peaks, then add in 2 tablespoons kirsch, vanilla extract and powdered sugar, starting with 1/2 of a cup and whip to stiff peaks. Taste and add a little at time while whipping until desired sweetness is achieved. Add in more Kirsch, up to 2 more tablespoons if a boozier whipped cream is desired and whip again. Keep chilled before using.
• Drain the brandied cherries saving the liquid. If the sugar is still not dissolved, heat for about 30 seconds then stir.
• Place one cake layer on a cake plate, or on a cardboard cake circle on a cake decorating turntable, and brush the top of the cake layer with a little of the reserved brandied cherry liquid. Spread on a heaping cup of the whipped cream then top with half the cherries. Spread another heaping cup of the cream on top of the cherries. Repeat with another later then with the top layer brush with the brandied cherry liquid then spread a cup of the cream on top and another around the sides to crumb coat the cake. Chill the cake about 30 minutes, keeping the cream chilled as well.
• Check for any leaking of the brandied cherry juice around the edges and dab with a paper towel then spread another layer of the whipped cream around the sides and top, leaving about a cup and a half for the decoration on the top of the cake.
• Carefully press the chocolate curls into the side of the cake, scooping up any that fall off and press again. Leaving about 1/2 a cup or so for the top of the cake.
• Put the remaining whipped cream into a piping bag fitted with an open star tip and create a dozen swirls around the top to hold the stemmed cherries. You can double layer these swirls. Fill the middle of the top of the cake with the remaining chocolate curls, place a cherry in each of the whipped cream swirl then keep the cake chilled until ready to serve. The cake cuts and serves a lot easier when well chilled.

BLACK FOREST TORTE (SCHWARZWAELDER KIRSCHTORTE) (GLUTEN FREE)

Steps:

• For the first bottom layer: Preheat the oven to 375°F/200-220°C.
• On a baking board, mix the flour, cacao and baking powder. Make an indent in the middle and add the sucanat, vanilla extract, egg and water. Mix until a crumbly dough is formed. Place the cold butter pieces on top and work everything quickly into a smooth dough. If the dough remains a little sticky, place it covered into the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes.
• Grease the spring form pan with a little butter and line it with parchment paper, covering only the bottom not the sides (trace the outline of the Springform on the parchment paper and cut out -- you want to cut out two pieces, as you will need the second one for the sponge cake). Grease the parchment paper just slightly as well. Roll out the dough (sprinkle a little extra rice flour on your board beforehand) and place it in the prepared Spring form, carefully cutting the dough, so only the bottom of the pan is covered (you can use up any extra dough by cutting it our with your favorite cookie cutter, for an extra treat).
• Bake for about 30 minutes, remove from oven, release the Spring form pan, invert onto a cooling rack and peel off the parchment paper. Let cool completely.
• Grease the bottom of the Spring form only (!) and line with the extra parchment paper you cut out during the first step of this recipe. Again slightly grease the parchment paper as well, but be very careful that no grease gets on the outer Spring form ring, because it will prevent the Sponge cake from rising properly.
• Sponge cake (Biskuitboden): Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
• For this next step, you will need two bowls, a smaller one for whipping the egg whites, and a larger one for the preparation of the batter.
• Separate the 4 eggs (yolks into the larger bowl, egg whites in the other). With a hand mixer, whip the egg whites until they form glossy and shiny peaks. Set aside.
• In the other bowl, combine the egg yolks with water and blend well, using the hand mixer. Little by little, add the sucanat and vanilla extract. Continue to mix until the batter becomes smooth and creamy.
• Place the whipped egg whites on top of the yolk batter, and set aside for a moment.
• Place the flour blend, guar gum, cacao and baking powder into a sifter (you can also use a fine sieve) and gently sift the ingredients on top of the egg whites.
• Now, carefully fold the flour and egg white into the batter. You want to take your time with this step. You are not looking to stir, or mix, but truly just slowly fold the ingredients together. This is best done with a rubber spatula, or a large spoon.
• When the flour has been fully incorporated into the batter, it should still retain its light and airy texture. Pour this batter into the prepared Spring form and smooth and level out the top, using a spatula.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes (The baking duration depends on many factors: your own location, elevation, temperature, etc. and will play a role in how long this will take -- usually anywhere from 20-30 minutes).
• Remove the cake from the oven, release it from the Spring form, turn out onto a wire rack to cool and peel off the parchment paper.
• Once completely cooled, slice the sponge cake horizontally into 3 thin layers. Place each layer on a separate plate.
• If fresh cherries are available, wash them and remove the stones. Mix the cherries with a little sucanat. Set this aside for at least 20 minutes to draw out the juice. Then cook them briefly in their own juice. Remove and drain the juice into a separate bowl, preserving the juice. If you are using canned, drain the juice into a separate container. Set aside about 12 cherries for decorating the top of the cake. You will need 1/4 L (1 cup) of the cherry juice (top off with enough water, if there is not enough juice). Remove 4 tablespoons of this juice and place in a separate bowl, mixing it with the arrowroot flour. In a saucepan, heat the cherry juice, bring it to a boil, remove and add the blended arrowroot/cherry juice liquid. Mix one packet of the gelatin with 3 tablespoons of water, making sure it is completely dissolved, and add this to the boiled cherry juice. Bring everything back to a brief boil and then remove from heat, adding the cherries, remaining sucanat and Kirschwasser. Set aside and let cool.
• Prepare the second gelatin packet by mixing it with 3 tablespoons of water, allowing it to dissolve completely. Set aside. Add the whipping cream to a larger mixing bowl, and with a hand mixer, whip until firm, then add the sifted powdered sugar and the prepared gelatin. Continue to whip until nice and firm.
• Assembly of Cake: Select a cake plate of your choice and place the first baked bottom layer on it. Add half the amount of the cherry blend to this layer, topping that with a thin layer of whipped cream.
• Then add the first sponge cake layer on top of this.
• Top this layer with the remaining cherry filling and a thin layer of whipped cream. Spread out evenly and top with the second sponge cake layer.
• Add another thin layer of whipped cream to this and place the final Sponge cake layer on top.
• Spread just a smooth layer of whipped cream on the final layer, setting some whipped cream aside for the final steps. Now for this next step, you need to cut out large enough strips of parchment paper to drape around the outside of the cake, which helps to retain the filling. If you have one available, use just the outer rim of another, slightly larger, Spring form pan and place it on the outside of the draped parchment paper, and close the spring. This ensures the even setting of the filling. Place the cake in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to set the filling.
• Meanwhile, grate the chocolate and set aside.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator and take off the Spring form ring, and carefully peel off the parchment paper. Remove any excess filling that was not contained by the paper, or outer ring, and then spread some additional whipped cream on the outer rim of the cake. Sprinkle the top with the grated chocolate. Place the remaining whipped cream in a pastry bag, fitted with a small rosette tip, and place 12 rosettes evenly spaced on top of the cake. Place one cherry (which you reserved earlier) on top of each rosette, and, if desired, a small piece of chocolate next to each rosette.
• More info and photos: http://gfcelebration.com/2010/03/30/gluten-free-black-forest-torte-schwarzwaelder-kirschtorte-and-some-interesting-facts-about-the-black-forest/.

BLACK FOREST GATEAU (SCHWARZWALDER KIRSCHTORTE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Butter and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Butter the parchment paper and set aside.
• Whisk the eggs yolks, eggs, and sugar in a large metal bowl over a pot of simmering water for a few minutes until the mixture is about 120 degrees F. Remove the bowl from the heat, and keep whisking to aerate the mixture until it is thick and fluffy, about 10 minutes. The mixture should increase in size 4 to 5 times and become very pale in color.
• Gently fold in both the sifted flour and wheat flour, and the cocoa powder. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake pan, and flatten it out carefully with a rubber spatula. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out cleanly. Invert the cake onto a wire rack, and cut a few vents in the parchment paper so that the steam can evaporate. Let inverted cake rest for 24 hours.
• In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons Kirsch, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, and the corn flour. Add a pinch lemon zest and a pinch of cinnamon to the bowl, and stir to combine. In a small saucepan, bring to a boil the remaining 4 tablespoons Kirsch. Reduce the heat to medium, add the sugar mixture, and stir. Then add the cherries, stir again, and heat through. Remove from the heat, pour into a bowl, and let cool.
• Cut the cake into 3 layers. Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the bottom layer, and place it in the refrigerator to cool and harden slightly. Meanwhile, make the Whipped Cream and the Syrup.
• Remove the chocolate-covered base layer from the refrigerator and brush syrup over the top. Add about 1/2 of the filling mixture, and 1/4 of the whipped cream. Repeat the layer, brushing with Syrup, then filling, and then Whipped Cream. Place the third cake layer on top, brush it with Syrup, and then cover it with Whipped Cream. Spread the remaining Whipped Cream around the side of the cake. Decorate the top of the cake with chocolate shavings and additional cherries.
• Whip together the cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and vanilla sugar. If you don't have vanilla sugar, you may substitute 1 tablespoon sugar plus 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Begin whipping slowly, making the mixture lighter, and continue until you have achieved light and airy whipped cream.
• Combine 1 1/2 cups water and 3/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. When mixture is boiling and sugar has totally dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and add the Kirsch, and stir to combine.

BLACK FOREST CAKE

Steps:

• To Make the Cake:
• Preheat the oven to 350°. Place the rack in the center of the oven. Butter and flour a 10-inch cake pan that is 3 inches deep such as a springform mold.
• Sift the 1/2 cup flour, the cocoa, and the salt together onto a sheet of parchment paper and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla at high speed until the mixture has tripled in volume and is very thick, about 8 minutes. When the whisk is lifted, the batter will form a thick ribbon as it falls back into the bowl.
• Lower the speed to stir and carefully tap the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. As soon as all the flour has been added to the eggs, stop the machine. Pour in the melted butter, making sure to leave the white, milky solids behind. With a large rubber spatula, using as few strokes as possible, finish folding the flour mixture and butter into the batter until evenly mixed.
• Immediately scrape the batter into the prepared pan, place the pan on a baking sheet, and bake until the cake feels just firm to the touch, about 40 minutes. Transfer the cake to a rack and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Then turn the cake upside down onto a rack to cool. This will flatten the slightly domed top.
• To Make the Syrup:
• Place the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the kirsch and remove from the heat. Pour the syrup into a small cup or bowl and set it aside.
• To Assemble the Cake:
• In a large bowl, whip the cream with the sugar and vanilla on medium-high speed until it holds firm peaks. Do not overbeat; the whipped cream should be smooth and firm. Divide the cream into 4 equal portions and set them aside. (This helps prevent getting to the last bit of decorating and discovering you have run out of cream.) Drain the cherries and divide them into 2 equal piles. Reserve 8 to 12 cherries to garnish the top of the cake if you do not have fresh cherries.
• Place the cake on a work surface with its original top up. Trim off any hard crusts. With a long serrated knife, cut the cake horizontally into 3 even layers. Transfer the top layer to a serving plate, arranging it top side down. Brush it liberally with the syrup. With an offset spatula or rubber spatula, smooth on a 1/2-inch layer of whipped cream. Push the cream a little beyond the edge of the cake. (This prevents gaps when you settle the next layer on top.) Nestle half of the cherries into the whipped cream, scattering them evenly over the top.
• Place the middle cake layer on top of the cherries, pressing it lightly into the whipped-cream layer. Brush with syrup, spread with whipped cream, and scatter the remaining half of the cherries over the cream.
• Finally, add the last cake layer, cut side up, on top of the cherries, again settling it into the whipped-cream layer. Brush with syrup. With an icing spatula or a large rubber spatula, spread a thin layer of whipped cream over the top of the cake. Spread a thicker layer onto the sides.
• Pastry shops add a decorative scalloped edge of ground dark chocolate around the base of the cake. Fill your cupped palm with some of the ground chocolate and lift and tilt it onto the base of the cake all around the bottom edge. Rotate the cake between handfulls. It's the heel of your hand that forms the scalloped edge.
• Rotate the edge of a sharp knife against the block of chocolate to make curls or cut shavings with a vegetable peeler. Pile them on top of the cake.
• Scoop the remaining whipped cream into a pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip. Pipe fat rosettes all around the top edge of the cake. Press a fresh or spirited cherry into the center of each rosette. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours to let the flavors meld. Just before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar.
• Alcohol-Free Variation
• Use about 24 ounces of preserved sour cherries in syrup. Drain the cherries, reserving the syrup and cherries separately. In a small saucepan, bring to a boil 1/3 cup espresso or strong coffee, the reserved syrup, and 3/4 cup sugar (or to taste), stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and reserve until needed.
• Bûche de Noël de Henri Variation
• For our Christmas menu in 2010, we used Black Forest flavors for our bûche de Noël. We baked the génoise as a sheet cake, soaked it with the kirsch syrup, spread it thickly with the whipped cream, and then scattered the cherries over the cream before rolling up the cake. We iced it with the traditional chocolate buttercream. This makes a lighter-than-usual bûche, and our guests cleaned their plates.

BLACK FOREST TORTE

Steps:

• Line two greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper, set aside. In a heavy saucepan or microwave, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth and cool. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder. Add the chocolate mixture, water and vanilla. Beat on low speed for 1 minute; beat on medium for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition., Pour into the prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For chocolate filling, melt 1-1/2 bars of German chocolate in a heavy saucepan or microwave; stir until smooth. Stir in butter and nuts. Watching closely, cool filling just until it reaches spreading consistency. For cream filling, beat cream in a chilled large bowl until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. , Split each cake into two horizontal layers. Place one layer on a serving plate; cover with half of the chocolate filling. Top with a second cake layer; spread on half of the cream filling. Repeat layers. Grate remaining German chocolate; sprinkle on the top. Store in the refrigerator.