Which German cake combines chocolate sponge, cherries, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings?

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is the German cake combining chocolate sponge, cherries, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings.

The cake is widely known in English as Black Forest gâteau or Black Forest cake. Its name refers to the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany, while “Kirschtorte” means cherry cake. A defining ingredient is Kirsch, a clear cherry spirit traditionally made from sour cherries, which is used to flavor or moisten the cake.

Typical versions contain several layers of chocolate sponge separated by whipped cream and cherries, then finished with cream, chocolate curls, and cherries. Recipes vary, and some modern commercial cakes use cherry flavoring instead of Kirsch.

The cake is sometimes confused with ordinary chocolate-cherry cakes, but the traditional combination of Kirsch, cherries, cream, and chocolate is what identifies Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. German food regulations have also specified characteristic ingredients for products sold under the name in Germany.