Swedish Schwarzwald Cake

Cakes have a very long history. They are attributed to a famous baker, Thearion, living in the 5th-century-BC....

Egyptians offered animal-shaped cakes to their ancient gods.....

The bourgeoisie of medieval Amiens in Northern France paid homage to their king with cake.

A long time ago, the recipe of the German Schwarzwald cake was brought to Sweden. When and by whom, I don't know. For some reason, the original recipe was changed.

Today, there are many types of Schwarzwald cakes. In Germany and worldwide, the Black Forest Gateau (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) is the best known. Cherries and Kirschwasser are important ingredients of the real Schwarzwald cake.

So, as you can see, the Swedish variant has very little in common with the original Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. Merely the name.

The Home-baked cake









INGREDIENTS:
* 2 dl (200 ml) hazelnut seeds
* 2½ dl ( 250 ml) powdered sugar
* 4 egg whites

FILLING:
* 4-5 dl (400 - 500 ml) whipping cream
* 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
* ½ dl (50 ml) hazelnut seeds

TOPPING:
* chocolate "kringlor" (figure-of eight biscuits)
* 50 - 100 grams dark chocolate

METHOD:
1. Preheat oven to 175°C [= 347°F]
2. Grate the hazelnuts and mix with powdered sugar.
3. Beat egg whites very stiff, then carefully fold the nut mixture into the egg white mixture.
4. Grease baking trays and dust them with plain flour.
5. Spread the meringue batter out to three circles - ab. 23 cm
6. Bake the meringue layers for 10 - 12 minutes and then cool.
7. Whip the cream, add vanilla and grated hazelnut seeds.
8. Arrange one meringue layer on a platter and spread evenly with cream, cover with another meringue layer and spread evenly with cream, cover with remaining meringue layer and spread remaining cream evenly over top and sides of cake.
9. Garnish with chocolate "kringlor" and grated chocolate.

My father's youngest brother was a baker and confectioner. That had its advantages... as a child, I was spoiled by good professional baked cakes and pastries. My favorite cake was Schwarzwald cake, but it was a cake only for very special occasions.

Picture of a professional baked Swedish "Schwarzwaldtårta" from a bakery