Indulgent Black Forest Swiss Roll Recipe: A Sweet Twist

Sinking your teeth into a delectable black forest swiss roll that dances with rich chocolate and luscious cherries.

Decadent layers of soft sponge cake intertwine with velvety cream in this classic German-inspired dessert.

Each slice promises a symphony of flavors that transport you to alpine bakeries.

Cocoa-infused cake rolls delicately embrace whipped cream and tart cherries, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and depth.

The intricate swirl speaks to culinary artistry that looks complex but comes together with surprising ease.

Subtle hints of kirsch liqueur elevate this dessert from simple to spectacular.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this irresistible treat that turns an ordinary afternoon into a celebration of pure deliciousness.

Why Black Forest Swiss Roll Tastes So Good

• Burst with Bold Cherry Flavor: The recipe transforms ordinary cherries into a rich, concentrated filling by gently cooking them with sugar, releasing deep, intense fruit essence that adds vibrant taste to every slice.
• Master Quick and Simple Technique: Home bakers can easily create a stunning dessert with straightforward steps, cooking cherries and creating a glossy filling in less than 10 minutes, making it perfect for spontaneous sweet cravings.
• Elevate Texture with Silky Smoothness: The cornstarch slurry creates a luxurious, glossy cherry compote that's neither too runny nor too thick, ensuring a perfectly spreadable and luscious filling that enhances the Swiss roll's delicate texture.
• Versatile Dessert for Any Occasion: This Black Forest Swiss Roll delivers gourmet-style elegance while remaining approachable, suitable for casual family gatherings, elegant dinner parties, or weekend baking adventures that impress with minimal effort.

Everything You’ll Need For Black Forest Swiss Roll

• Cherries, Sugar: Sweet and tangy base for the filling, providing natural fruit flavor and depth. Fresh or frozen cherries work best, with dark sweet cherries recommended for authentic Black Forest taste.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the cherry mixture and create a smooth, glossy filling consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth to the cherry mixture, enhancing overall flavor profile.

Making Black Forest Swiss Roll Step By Step

Step 1: Prepare Cherry Filling

In a cozy saucepan, toss in fresh or frozen cherries with sugar. Let them dance over medium heat, coaxing out their juicy goodness. Watch as the cherries soften and release their sweet nectar, creating a vibrant ruby-red compote. This should take around 5 minutes.

• Cherries
• Sugar

After the cherries have transformed, whisk in a cornstarch slurry to give the filling body and shine. Stir gently for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens like a luxurious sauce. Pull the pan off the heat and sprinkle in vanilla extract for an aromatic touch. Allow the filling to cool completely, letting the flavors mingle and intensify.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Sponge Cake

Preheat the oven to a warm 350°F (175°C). Line a jellyroll pan with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for your cake. In a large mixing bowl, separate egg whites and yolks with precision.

• Eggs
• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whip the egg whites into fluffy peaks that stand tall and proud. In another bowl, blend egg yolks with sugar until they become pale and creamy. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the egg yolk mixture, then carefully incorporate the whipped egg whites to maintain that gorgeous airiness.

Step 3: Bake and Roll the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cake springs back when touched. While it’s still warm, dust a clean kitchen towel with cocoa powder and carefully invert the cake onto it.

Peel away the parchment paper and roll the cake with the towel, starting from the short end. This helps the cake remember its future Swiss roll shape. Let it cool completely rolled up, creating muscle memory for the final assembly.

Step 4: Whip Cream and Assemble

Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla until soft peaks form. Carefully unroll the cooled cake and spread a generous layer of whipped cream. Dollop the cooled cherry filling across the cream.

• Heavy cream
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Roll the cake back up, this time without the towel. The filling will create beautiful swirls inside. Dust the top with cocoa powder or powdered sugar for a gorgeous finish.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Wrap the Swiss roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour to help it set. When ready to serve, slice into beautiful rounds that reveal the stunning cherry and cream spiral within. Garnish with fresh cherries or chocolate shavings if desired.

Smart Ideas For Black Forest Swiss Roll

• Master Cherry Reduction: Simmer cherries slowly to extract maximum flavor and create a thick, glossy filling that clings perfectly to your Swiss roll.
• Control Moisture Levels: Allow cherry mixture to cool completely before spreading to prevent soggy cake layers and maintain ideal texture.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a splash of kirsch or dark rum to the cherry compote for an authentic Black Forest dessert experience.
• Prevent Filling Leakage: Use a slotted spoon when transferring cherries to ensure excess liquid doesn't make your cake roll soggy, keeping the texture light and delicate.
• Customize Sweetness: Adjust sugar quantity based on cherry ripeness and personal preference, tasting the compote before cooling to balance flavors precisely.

How To Store And Reheat Black Forest Swiss Roll

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Swiss roll wrapped tightly in plastic wrap inside an airtight container. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Cool Down: Always let the roll cool completely before storing to prevent condensation and soggy texture.
• Freeze Option: Slice the Swiss roll into individual portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen rolls maintain quality for up to 2 months.
• Thaw Carefully: Transfer frozen Swiss roll to the refrigerator overnight for gentle, even defrosting without compromising the delicate cake texture.

What Pairs Nicely With Black Forest Swiss Roll

• Enhance Cherry Blast: Pair this Swiss roll with a bold, fruity pinot noir that mirrors the deep cherry notes, creating a harmonious flavor dance on your palate.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Serve alongside a rich, dark chocolate espresso that amplifies the dessert's cocoa undertones and provides a luxurious coffee complement.
• Creamy Contrast Delight: Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to cut through the roll's sweetness, bringing a cool, smooth texture that balances the dessert's intense cherry flavor.
• Sparkling Celebration Touch: Complement the Swiss roll with a chilled glass of cherry lambic beer, which adds effervescence and echoes the dessert's fruity essence.

Fun Options To Switch Black Forest Swiss Roll

• Cherry Liqueur Infusion: Enhance the roll's flavor by adding a splash of kirsch or cherry brandy to the cherry compote during cooking, creating a more sophisticated and rich taste profile.
• Dark Chocolate Drizzle: After rolling the Swiss roll, generously drizzle melted dark chocolate over the top, providing an extra layer of intense chocolate decadence and visual appeal.
• Almond Crunch Topping: Sprinkle toasted, finely chopped almonds along the exterior of the roll for a delightful textural contrast and nutty undertone that complements the cherry and chocolate flavors.
• Mascarpone Cream Filling: Replace traditional whipped cream with smooth mascarpone cheese mixed with a touch of powdered sugar, offering a luxurious and velvety alternative filling for the Swiss roll.

Questions You Might Have About Black Forest Swiss Roll

• Why do I need to cook the cherries before adding them to the Swiss roll?

Cooking the cherries helps release their natural juices, softens them, and creates a more intense flavor. The cornstarch also helps thicken the filling, preventing it from becoming too runny when you roll the cake.

• Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones?

Absolutely! Frozen cherries work great in this recipe. Just thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before cooking to ensure the right consistency for your filling.

• How do I know when the cherry filling is the right thickness?

The filling is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and leaves a clear path when you run your finger through it. It should look glossy and have a jam-like consistency that isn’t too watery or too stiff.

• What if my cherry filling is too runny?

If the filling seems too liquid, continue cooking it for a few more minutes or add a tiny bit more cornstarch mixed with water to help thicken it. Let it cool completely before spreading on the cake to ensure it sets properly.

Black Forest Swiss Roll Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Black forest swiss roll weaves rich chocolate and cherry magic into a delightful dessert experience. Sweet cocoa sponge embraces luscious cream and kirsch-soaked cherries, promising European elegance with each delectable slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour

Stabilizing Ingredients:

• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Cream and Fruit Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream, chilled
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups (225 grams) fresh or frozen cherries
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Decoration Ingredients:

• Chocolate shavings
• Fresh cherries (optional)

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Instructions

1. Gently simmer cherries in a saucepan, coaxing out their natural juices and creating a vibrant, glossy mixture over medium heat.
2. Gradually introduce cornstarch mixture, stirring continuously to prevent clumping and promote smooth thickening of the cherry compote.
3. Once the sauce reaches a luscious, glossy consistency, remove from heat and infuse with vanilla extract for an aromatic depth.
4. Allow the cherry compote to cool completely, giving it time to set and develop a rich, intense flavor profile before incorporating into the Swiss roll.
5. During cooling, the compote will naturally condense and intensify, creating a concentrated cherry essence perfect for layering within the delicate Swiss roll sponge.

Notes

• Drain cherries thoroughly before cooking to prevent excess liquid in the filling, ensuring a perfect roll consistency.
• Use kirsch or cherry liqueur for an authentic Black Forest flavor boost, adding depth to the cherry compote.
• When cooking the cherry mixture, stir constantly to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, glossy texture.
• Cool the cherry filling completely before spreading to avoid softening the cake roll and making it difficult to roll.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg