Black Forest gateau

The origin of Black Forest gateau is disputed. The confectioner (1887–1981) claimed in 1975 to have made Black Forest gateau while working at a café in Bad Godesberg. Udo Rauch, the city archivist of Tübingen, cited the pastry chef Erwin Hildenbrand as having invented the cake in 1930. Although the origin of the cake's name is similarly disputed, the food writer Ursula Heinzelmann claims that it comes from the cake's resemblance to the Black Forest region's black, white, and red costume. The first written recipe of Black Forest gateau appeared in 1927, where it is kept at an archive in Radolfzell. the cake was introduced by German immigrants. In popular culture, the cake is featured in the Portal (2007) game developed by Valve, which inspired an Internet meme. == Ingredients and preparation ==

The primary ingredients of Black Forest gateau are butter, cocoa powder, eggs, flour, Kirsch, and sugar. The recipe calls for whisking together eggs and sugar, followed by the addition of cocoa powder and flour mixture and butter. On top of the cake, spirals of whipped cream and cherries are added. Dark chocolate can be added as a decoration. Variations The liquor is frequently left out of the cake in countries with a predominance of Muslims, while rum is used in Trinidad and Tobago in place of Kirsch, and some recipes call for cheaper blueberry jam instead of cherries. Non-cake variations of Black Forest cake include chocolate bars and ice cream. == Reception ==

Since its inception, it has gained international recognition in cafés and restaurants. Christopher Kull, the chief executive officer of the Black Forest Tourism Association, said that the cake is "Freiburg's most famous export". According to Priya Krishna of The New York Times, the cake is "a European artefact" that has crossed cultural boundaries, while Heinzelmann called it "the most famous German torte, at its best a marvellous combination of richness and lightness". == See also ==