Black Forest and Hazelnut Gateau

Black Forest and Hazelnut Gateau is a classic German dessert that combines rich chocolate, tart cherries, and crunchy hazelnuts. This indulgent cake is perfect for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself to something truly decadent. The combination of flavors and textures in this gateau is simply irresistible. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress your friends and family.

Ingredients:

• 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 200g granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 200g all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 200g pitted cherries, drained
• 100g chopped hazelnuts
• Whipped cream, for serving
• Extra cherries and chocolate shavings, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the cake batter

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.

In a heatproof bowl, melt the dark chocolate over a pan of simmering water. Set aside to cool slightly.

In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually mix in the melted chocolate.

2. Combine the dry ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture, mixing until just combined.

3. Fold in the cherries and hazelnuts

Gently fold in the drained cherries and chopped hazelnuts into the cake batter. Be careful not to overmix.

4. Bake the gateau

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Cool and decorate

Remove the gateau from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once the gateau has cooled, you can decorate it with whipped cream, extra cherries, and chocolate shavings. Serve slices of this delicious gateau with a dollop of whipped cream on the side.

Tips:

• If you can’t find fresh cherries, you can use canned cherries instead. Just make sure to drain them well before adding them to the cake batter.
• For an extra boozy twist, you can soak the cherries in a little cherry liqueur before adding them to the gateau.
• If you’re not a fan of hazelnuts, you can substitute them with chopped almonds or walnuts.
• Make sure to let the gateau cool completely before decorating it with whipped cream, as the cream can melt if the cake is still warm.

Now that you have the recipe for this heavenly Black Forest and Hazelnut Gateau, it’s time to put on your apron and get baking. This indulgent dessert is sure to impress your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Enjoy!