BLACK FOREST CAKE

Rich dark chocolate cake layers filled with cream and sour cherries is the perfect way to spoil Mum this Mother's day.

INGREDIENTS

• 125g unsalted butter, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups (330g) caster sugar
• 1/4 cup (25g) cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 400g dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups (225g) self-raising flour
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot
• 300ml thickened cream
• 2 tablespoons kirsch (see notes)
• Maraschino cherries, to decorate (optional)

Filling

• 400g can pitted sour cherries, drained, juice reserved
• 3 teaspoons arrowroot
• 300ml thickened cream
• 2 teaspoons icing sugar

• METHOD

  • 1
    Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease and line a deep 20cm springform cake pan.
  • 2
    Place butter, sugar, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda, 60g chocolate and 1 cup (250ml) water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Bring to the boil, stirring until melted and combined, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 3 minutes or until smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
  • 3
    Stir the eggs, flour and arrowroot into the chocolate mixture, then pour into the pan and bake for 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool slightly, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • 4
    Meanwhile, to make the ganache icing, place the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to just below boiling point. Place the remaining 340g chocolate in a bowl and pour over the hot cream, then stir until melted and smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
  • 5
    For the filling, place cherry juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Dissolve the arrowroot in a little cold water, then stir into the juice and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Set aside to cool. Whisk the cream and icing sugar with electric beaters to stiff peaks.
  • 6
    Cut the cake horizontally into 4 layers. Place one layer on a serving plate, drizzle with one-third of the kirsch and a little cherry syrup, then spread with one-third of the whipped cream. Dot with the sour cherries. Repeat layering, finishing with a cake layer. Spread the ganache over the cake and garnish with maraschino cherries.
  • Kirsch is a clear cherry brandy liqueur available from bottle shops