Black Forest Gâteau: Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

This is not merely a chocolate cake; it is a protected regional product. By German law, the cake must contain Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser (cherry schnapps) to bear the name. The sharpness of the alcohol cuts through the richness of the whipped cream and chocolate sponge, while sour cherries provide a burst of acidity. A dark, moody masterpiece from the Black Forest.