Black Forest Swiss Roll – A Chocolate & Cherry Delight!

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Sponge Cake

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 10×15-inch (25×38 cm) baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Beat the egg yolks: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and thick. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the egg yolk mixture until combined.
4. Whip the egg whites: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter in two batches. This will create a light and airy sponge.
5. Bake the cake: Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it evenly. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cake is firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool the cake: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Then, invert the cake onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. Carefully peel off the parchment paper and roll the cake up with the towel while it’s still warm. Let it cool completely in this rolled-up shape to help it maintain its form.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

1. Whip the cream: In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip.
2. Prepare the cherries: If using maraschino cherries, drain the syrup and chop them into small pieces. If using fresh cherries, pit and chop them into bite-sized chunks. Stir the cherries into the whipped cream mixture.
3. Add cherry syrup and rum: Add the cherry syrup (or juice) and dark rum (if using) to the whipped cream, and mix gently until combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Black Forest Swiss Roll

1. Unroll the cake: Once the cake has cooled completely, carefully unroll it from the towel. Be gentle to avoid cracking the cake.
2. Spread the filling: Evenly spread the cherry and whipped cream mixture over the entire surface of the cake, leaving about 1-inch border around the edges.
3. Re-roll the cake: Starting from one edge, carefully roll the cake back up into a log shape. Use the towel to help guide the roll, but be careful not to press too hard. Once rolled, place the Swiss roll seam-side down on a serving platter.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

1. Decorate: Dust the top of the Swiss roll with grated chocolate or cocoa powder for a decadent finish. You can also add additional cherries on top for a beautiful touch.
2. Chill: For best results, refrigerate the Black Forest Swiss Roll for at least 1 hour before slicing. This will help it set and make for cleaner cuts.

Step 5: Enjoy!

Slice the Swiss roll into individual servings and enjoy this indulgent dessert with its perfect balance of chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or a light dessert wine.

Tips for Success:

• Make it ahead: This dessert can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge, which actually allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
• Alternative filling: If you prefer, you can add a bit of chocolate ganache or even a layer of cherry preserves for an extra burst of flavor.
• Chill the cake: After baking, rolling the cake while it’s still warm helps it maintain its shape, but make sure to let it cool completely before adding the filling to avoid melting the cream.

Conclusion:

This Black Forest Swiss Roll is a delightful and elegant take on the classic Black Forest Cake. With its light, fluffy chocolate sponge, creamy cherry filling, and decadent chocolate garnish, it’s the perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a special event or just treating yourself, this delicious dessert is sure to impress and satisfy your sweet tooth. Try making it today and indulge in a chocolate and cherry delight like no other!