Black Forest gateau, ( , ) or Black Forest cake, is a layer cake made out of cocoa powder, cherries, Kirsch, and whipped cream, with dark chocolate as a decoration. The origins of the cake and its name are disputed. However, the cake's recipe from 1927 is kept at an archive in Radolfzell, Germany. Black Forest gateau became popular in the second half of the 20th century and is now featured internationally in cafés and restaurants. A festival dedicated to the cake is organised in Todtnauberg.
History
The origin of Black Forest gateau is disputed. The confectioner (1887–1981) claimed in 1975 to have made Black Forest gateau while working at a café in Bad Godesberg. Udo Rauch, the city archivist of Tübingen, cited the pastry chef Erwin Hildenbrand as having invented the cake in 1930. Although the origin of the cake's name is similarly disputed, the food writer Ursula Heinzelmann claims that it comes from the cake's resemblance to the Black Forest region's black, white, and red costume.
The first written recipe of Black Forest gateau appeared in 1927, where it is kept at an archive in Radolfzell. the cake was introduced by German immigrants. In popular culture, the cake is featured in the Portal (2007) game developed by Valve, which inspired an Internet meme.
Ingredients and preparation
The primary ingredients of Black Forest gateau are butter, cocoa powder, eggs, flour, Kirsch, and sugar. The recipe calls for whisking together eggs and sugar, followed by the addition of cocoa powder and flour mixture and butter. Christopher Kull, the chief executive officer of the Black Forest Tourism Association, said that the cake is "Freiburg's most famous export".