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1960s-present - German immigrants, German American bakers, and midcentury restaurant pastry cooks
Black Forest cake, or Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte, came from German pastry traditions and became popular in the United States in the mid-20th century. American versions often soften the kirsch element but keep chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream.
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Difficulty
Advanced
Prep time
1 hour
Cook time
25 minutes
Total time
1 hour 25 minutes plus cooling
Servings
12 servings
Region
German American bakeries and restaurants
Era introduced
1960s-present
Introduced by
German immigrants, German American bakers, and midcentury restaurant pastry cooks
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Black Forest cake is a German torte built around chocolate cake, cherries, whipped cream, and kirschwasser. In the United States it became a midcentury bakery and restaurant showpiece, sometimes with canned cherries or nonalcoholic cherry syrup standing in for kirsch. The archive version keeps the cake recognizable while noting that true Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte has a stronger kirsch identity than many American versions.
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