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jamie oliver black forest gateau

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Jamie Oliver Black Forest Gateau is a multi-layer chocolate sponge cake filled with whipped cream and cherries, traditionally soaked in kirsch syrup. It’s a classic German-inspired dessert made simple and modern with Jamie Oliver–style techniques.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chocolate Sponge:

    • 200g plain flour

    • 60g cocoa powder

    • 1½ teaspoons baking powder

    • 1 teaspoon baking soda

    • 250g sugar

    • 2 large eggs

    • 250ml milk

    • 120ml vegetable oil

    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    • 250ml boiling water

For the Cherry Filling:

    • 1 jar pitted cherries in juice (about 350g drained)

    • 3 tablespoons kirsch (optional)

    • 2 tablespoons sugar

For the Whipped Cream:

    • 500ml double cream

    • 3 tablespoons icing sugar

    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration:

    • Dark chocolate shavings

    • Fresh cherries (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chocolate Sponge Batter

Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar. Whisk in eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Add boiling water last to create a loose batter.

2. Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into two greased 8-inch tins and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes. Cool completely.

3. Prepare the Cherry Filling

Drain cherries and heat the juice with sugar. Add kirsch if using. Let cool.

4. Whip the Cream

Whisk double cream, icing sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.

5. Assemble the Gateau

Slice each cake into two layers (optional for four layers). Brush sponge with cherry syrup, spread whipped cream, then cherries. Repeat.

6. Frost and Decorate

Cover the whole cake with whipped cream. Add chocolate shavings and fresh cherries on top.

7. Chill Before Serving

Refrigerate at least 1 hour to help layers set.

Find it online: https://jamieolivereats.uk/black-forest-gateau/