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Elegant Black Forest Cake Roll Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 619 reviews

This Elegant Black Forest Cake Roll combines a light and fluffy chocolate sponge cake with a rich cherry and whipped cream filling, all wrapped up and topped with a smooth chocolate ganache. Finished with piped whipped cream, whole cherries, and chocolate curls, this dessert is a stunning and delicious take on the classic Black Forest cake, perfect for special occasions or a sophisticated treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Sponge Cake

  • 4 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting the towel)

Filling

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped cherries (fresh or jarred)
  • 2 tablespoons kirsch or cherry juice (optional)

Ganache

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces dark or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Decoration

  • Whipped cream (optional, for piping)
  • Whole cherries
  • Chocolate curls or shavings

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan by lining it with parchment paper and lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the sponge cake batter: In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until fully incorporated, being careful not to deflate the batter.
  3. Bake the cake: Spread the batter evenly onto the prepared jelly roll pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched.
  4. Roll the cake: While the cake is still warm, carefully turn it out onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Peel off the parchment paper. Roll the cake up gently with the towel inside to help shape it. Let the rolled cake cool completely.
  5. Make the filling: In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Fold in the chopped cherries and add kirsch or cherry juice if using, mixing gently.
  6. Assemble the cake roll: Unroll the cooled cake carefully and spread the whipped cream and cherry filling evenly over the surface. Gently roll the cake back up, this time without the towel, and place it seam-side down on a serving platter.
  7. Prepare the ganache: Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Allow the ganache to cool slightly before using.
  8. Decorate the cake: Drizzle the ganache evenly over the rolled cake. Decorate with piped whipped cream along the top edges, add whole cherries, and scatter chocolate curls or shavings for an elegant finish.
  9. Chill before serving: Refrigerate the cake roll for at least 30 minutes to set the ganache and meld the flavors before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • If kirsch (cherry brandy) is unavailable, cherry juice or omit it entirely for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Ensure the whipped cream is well chilled before beating to achieve stiff peaks more easily.
  • Be gentle when folding in dry ingredients and filling to maintain the cake’s light texture.
  • Use a clean kitchen towel and ample powdered sugar to prevent the cake from sticking during rolling.
  • Ganache can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before drizzling.
  • For best results, serve the cake within 1-2 days to enjoy freshness.

Keywords: Black Forest cake roll, chocolate sponge roll, cherry cake roll, chocolate ganache, elegant dessert, rolled cake

Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/elegant-black-forest-cake-roll-recipe/