Indulgent Black Forest Swiss Roll Recipe

Heavenly Black Forest Swiss Roll Recipe – Chocolate Delight!

Decadent chocolate sponge meets luscious black forest swiss roll in a dessert that dances with rich, velvety flavors.

Layers of soft cake embrace kirsch-soaked cherries with elegant precision.

Whipped cream swirls through the delicate roll, creating a symphony of textures that melt on your tongue.

Germany’s beloved classic takes a delightful twist in this stunning pastry.

Dark chocolate and sweet cherries intertwine in a heavenly embrace.

The swiss roll promises a sensational journey of indulgence that will enchant every chocolate lover.

Dive into this irresistible dessert and let your taste buds celebrate pure culinary magic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 7

Black Forest Swiss Roll Ingredients List

For Cake Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tenderness to the delicate Swiss roll sponge.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep brown color to the cake.
  • Eggs: Acts as the primary leavening agent and creates a light, airy texture.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a golden, soft crumb.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures the cake rises evenly and maintains a soft texture.
For Cherry Filling:
  • Fresh Cherries: Brings vibrant, natural sweetness and classic Black Forest flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: Enhances cherry sweetness and helps create a glossy filling.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens the cherry sauce and prevents a runny consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the fruity cherry flavor.
For Finishing:
  • Whipped Cream: Provides creamy, light contrast to the rich chocolate cake.
  • Chocolate Shavings: Adds elegant decoration and extra chocolate intensity.

Kitchen Gear For Black Forest Swiss Roll Prep

  • Electric mixer: Essential for whipping eggs and creating a light, fluffy cake batter.
  • Small saucepan: Perfect for cooking cherries and creating the delicious filling.
  • Whisk: Helps blend cornstarch slurry and stir cherry mixture smoothly.
  • Spatula: Great for folding cake batter and scraping sides of the pan.
  • Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface for rolling the Swiss roll cake.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and helps with easy cake removal.
  • Cooling rack: Allows the cake and cherry filling to cool evenly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.

Rolling Black Forest Swiss Roll Without Cracks

  • Cherry Preparation

Gently simmer fresh cherries with sugar, allowing the fruits to release their delightful juices and become tender. The kitchen will fill with a sweet, enticing aroma as the cherries transform.

  • Sauce Thickening

Mix in a smooth cornstarch blend, stirring carefully until the cherry mixture gains a luscious, glossy consistency. A splash of vanilla adds depth and warmth to the fruity compote. Let the sauce cool and settle, developing rich flavors.

  • Cake Foundation

Whip egg whites and sugar into a cloud-like meringue, folding in cocoa powder with a light touch. Spread the velvety batter onto a baking sheet, creating a thin, even layer that will become the roll’s delicate base.

  • Rolling Magic

Once baked and slightly cooled, dust the chocolate sponge with cocoa powder. Carefully transfer the cake onto a fresh towel, then gently roll into a soft spiral. This technique ensures a perfect, elegant shape.

  • Filling and Finishing

Unroll the cooled cake and lavish it with the prepared cherry mixture. Carefully re-roll, creating a stunning spiral of chocolate and cherries. Dust with powdered sugar for a final, elegant touch that makes this dessert truly irresistible.

Ideas To Enhance Black Forest Swiss Roll Filling

  • Cherry Juice Magic: Drain excess liquid from cooked cherries to prevent a soggy cake roll, ensuring a perfectly textured dessert every time.
  • Make-Ahead Master: Prepare the cherry filling up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to save time on baking day.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional flour with a gluten-free cake flour blend to make this dessert accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Chocolate Lover's Twist: Dust the cake roll with extra cocoa powder or drizzle with melted dark chocolate for an intense chocolate experience that complements the cherry filling perfectly.
  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free whipped cream alternatives to create a delicious version suitable for those avoiding dairy products.

Serving Black Forest Swiss Roll With Toppings

  • Decadent Dessert Partner: Serve this Swiss roll alongside a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream to complement the cherry filling and add creamy contrast.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Drizzle warm chocolate sauce over each slice, enhancing the classic Black Forest flavor profile and adding extra indulgence.
  • Elegant Presentation Trick: Dust the rolled cake with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh cherries and chocolate shavings to create a stunning visual appeal that matches the dessert's delicious taste.
  • Beverage Pairing Perfection: Offer a small glass of kirsch or a smooth red wine to elevate the flavor experience and provide a sophisticated touch to this delightful Swiss roll.

How To Store Black Forest Swiss Roll Properly

  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store the Swiss roll in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the cake moist and fresh while preventing flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Filling Separation Tip: Place a sheet of parchment paper between the roll's layers when storing to prevent the cherry filling from making the cake soggy and maintain its delicate texture.
  • Freezing Option: Wrap the Swiss roll tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil for freezer storage up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best quality and taste restoration.
  • Serving Temperature Hack: Remove the Swiss roll from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow it to reach room temperature, enhancing the cake's softness and flavor profile.
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Indulgent Black Forest Swiss Roll Recipe

Indulgent Black Forest Swiss Roll Recipe


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4.8 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Indulgent black forest swiss roll showcases rich chocolate sponge rolled with luscious cherry filling and whipped cream. Delicate layers of German chocolate tradition promise a delightful dessert you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 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
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream, chilled
  • 2 tbsps powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (225 g) fresh or frozen cherries
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsps water
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • powdered sugar, for dusting
  • chocolate shavings
  • fresh cherries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Compote Creation: Simmer cherries in a saucepan, transforming them into a vibrant, glossy mixture while coaxing out their natural juices and stirring continuously to prevent burning.
  2. Thickening Process: Integrate cornstarch mixture and vanilla extract, ensuring smooth consistency and aromatic depth, then remove from heat and allow complete cooling to develop intense flavor concentration.
  3. Sponge Preparation: Whip eggs and sugar until pale and voluminous, gently fold in flour and cocoa powder, maintaining delicate air pockets for a light, airy texture.
  4. Rolling Technique: Spread batter evenly on prepared baking sheet, bake in preheated oven at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until sponge springs back when touched, then immediately invert onto powdered sugar-dusted parchment paper.
  5. Assembly and Filling: While sponge is still warm, carefully roll with parchment paper to create muscle memory for final shaping, then unroll, spread whipped cream and cooled cherry compote evenly across surface.
  6. Final Roll and Garnish: Reroll cake tightly, seam-side down, dust with cocoa powder, and chill for at least one hour to set the shape and allow flavors to meld together.

Notes

  • Master Cherry Technique: Simmer cherries slowly on medium heat, stirring gently to extract maximum juice without burning or breaking fruit.
  • Prevent Lumpy Compote: Add cornstarch gradually while constantly whisking to ensure silky-smooth texture without unwanted clumps.
  • Temperature Control: Cool cherry compote completely at room temperature to achieve optimal thickness and concentrated flavor before spreading on sponge.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Add vanilla extract after removing from heat to preserve delicate aromatic notes and elevate overall taste profile of the compote.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: German

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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