National Black Forest Cake Day

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is a word that is perhaps beyond the reach of many people who have not studied German.

It’s a rich world with a rich history, but perhaps a bit too exotic to describe a treat most of us are probably familiar with.

And what a treat it is! Filled with rich layers (usually 4) of chocolate sponge cake, mortared together with a flavorful whipped cream and a delicious assortment of cherries, then frosted and topped with more of the same.

That’s right! The treat in question is a Black Forest Cake. And National Black Forest Cake Day celebrates this most amazing and interesting treat.

February 1915
Name “Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte” First Appears in Print
The earliest known mention of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is published in an ordinance in Brandenburg an der Havel, showing the cake was already known by name in Germany during World War I.
1915
Josef Keller Later Claims to Create the Cake in Bad Godesberg
Pastry chef Josef Keller, born in Riedlingen, would decades later say he first made a “Black Forest cherry” cake in 1915 while working at Café Ahrend (later Agner) in Bad Godesberg, though historians debate the claim.
1927
Early Black Forest Cake Recipe Archived in Radolfzell
A recipe for a Black Forest–style cherry and cream cake is recorded and preserved in an archive in Radolfzell, providing one of the earliest documented formulas for the famous dessert.
Circa 1930
Erwin Hildenbrand Credited by Some as Inventor
According to later research cited by German archivists, pastry chef Erwin Hildenbrand at Café Walz in Tübingen is said to have created a multi-layer Black Forest cake around 1930, adding another competing origin story.
1934
Black Forest Cake Enters a Confectionery Textbook
The term Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte appears in a professional confectionery handbook in 1934, indicating the cake had become established enough to be taught within the German pastry trade.
1950s
Black Forest Cake Becomes a Bakery Staple in Germany
In the postwar decades, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte spreads nationwide and turns into a standard offering in German Konditoreien, helping cement its status as a classic of Central European pastry.
2021
Craft of Making Black Forest Cake Recognized as Heritage
The traditional craft of baking Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is added to Baden-Württemberg’s inventory of intangible cultural heritage, reflecting the cake’s deep regional roots and ongoing cultural importance.

How to Celebrate National Black Forest Cake Day

Celebrate National Black Forest Cake Day in the best way possible–by eating Black Forest Cake, in any of the dozens of varieties that this delicious chocolate treat can come in.

While eating the cake is a great way to celebrate, consider these other celebration options to take National Black Forest Cake Day to the next level:

Make a Black Forest Cake Treat

While the Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte has a very specific recipe, there is always room for variation when a person is enjoying a Black Forest Cake!

In fact, the basic idea has been developed over the years to include a whole host of different treats that can be associated with the Black Forest.

Maraschino cherries are without question a popular selection for these recipes, but they can also be made with Rainier Cherries for a sweeter flavor, or the dark red cherries that are traditional for a tarter, more striking taste.

Try making some of these or come up with other creative ideas:

Black Forest Cheesecake. Typically a chocolate cheesecake with layers of chocolate sponge cake, topped with whipped cream and cherries in a delicious sauce.
Black Forest Ice Cream Sundaes. A frozen take on the original, this dessert is made with a brownie base where ice cream, cherries, chocolate syrup and cream are piled on top for a delicious treat.
Black Forest Cake Roll. A large chocolate sponge cake baked with cherries and then rolled up with an ice cream center. Served with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top.
Black Forest Yogurt. For a simple and slightly healthier treat, try piling cherries, chocolate syrup and bits of chocolate brownie on top of a bowl full of yogurt.

Whether they’re made at home or at a local bakery, bringing Black Forest Cake treats is sure to be appreciated when shared with friends, family or coworkers.

From Black Forest Cupcakes to a gluten-free version of the cake, the little gesture of sharing a sweet treat can make a big impact on relationships.

If ordering from a local bakery, don’t forget to call ahead to see if they will be offering any deals or discounts in honor of National Black Forest Cake Day.

Attend a Black Forest Festival

Those who have the opportunity can head to the cherry gateau festival that takes place every two years in Todtnauberg, Germany in the spring (even-numbered years).

Pastry chefs and confectioners gather to offer their delectable creations based on the concept of the Black Forest Cake. While there, don’t forget to visit Cafe Agner, the original home of this lovely treat!

Or, if Colorado in the US is more accessible, check out the Black Forest Days Festival there, located in the Black Forest region of the Rocky Mountains near Colorado Springs.

History of National Black Forest Cake Day

A true Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is made with the rich flavorful liquor that comes from the region for which it is named: Schwarzwälder Kirsch(wasser).

In this region in the southwest of Germany grows a variety of tart cherries that lend the spirit its unique flavor and, in turn, provide a notable and local flavor to the Black Forest Cherry-Torte.

The cake itself certainly has a long, storied history, having first appeared in Schwarzwälder (The Black Forest) in 1915.

Or at least that is the tale that was told by Josef Keller, until his death in 1981. Keller was the pastry chef who claimed to have invented the cake and has passed the recipe down through chefs in a cafe (Cafe Agner) that still exists today in Bad Godesberg.

Other legends date the cake back a couple of centuries before the birth of Josef Keller. The 16th century was when chocolate was first integrated into cakes and other baked goods, symbolizing a dark, mysterious ambience that the forests were famous for.

Add in some tart cherries with cream, and the cake (also called a gateau) brings forth a blend of flavors that the Germans can certainly be proud of.

Whichever tale is true, what is well known is that this delectable treat was indelibly tied to Berlin by 1931, and has spread throughout the world to become a famous and recognizable treat.

Interestingly, there is actually a Swedish variation of this dish, consisting merely of layers of rich flavorful chocolate and whipped cream.

Once this is completed the Schwarzwaldtårta is decorated with rich slivers or plates of chocolate and dusted with cocoa powder for a distinctive and delicious appearance.

In spite of the shared name, it has no other relation to the Cherry-Torte mentioned above. But that doesn’t stop us from enjoying it as well on National Black Forest Cake Day!

National Black Forest Cake Day combines the love of all of these beautiful things: chocolate, cake, cream, cherries, forests, and Germany. No matter what, National Black Forest Cake Day is the perfect chance to indulge in this German delicacy!

National Black Forest Cake Day FAQs

What makes an authentic Black Forest cake different from other chocolate-and-cherry cakes?

Authentic Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte from Germany is defined by a few specifics: it is built from light chocolate sponge layers, filled with whipped cream and sour (often Morello) cherries, and flavored with Kirschwasser, a clear cherry brandy from the Black Forest region.

In Germany and the EU, Kirsch is considered essential for cakes marketed as traditional Black Forest cake, while many international “Black Forest” desserts skip the alcohol or use different cherries and heavier butter cakes instead.

Is Kirschwasser legally required in Black Forest cake made in Germany?

In Germany and parts of Europe, food guidelines specify that a cake sold as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte should contain Kirschwasser, the regional cherry brandy that gives the dessert its characteristic aroma and ties it to the Black Forest cherry-growing area.

Cakes without Kirsch may still be popular, but German sources and culinary bodies usually treat those as imitations or adaptations rather than a true Black Forest cake under traditional standards.

Does Black Forest cake always contain alcohol, and is it safe for children or people avoiding alcohol?

Traditional recipes use several tablespoons of Kirschwasser to soak the sponge and flavor the cherries, and some of that alcohol can remain after cooking or assembly.

Modern bakers often create alcohol-free versions by replacing Kirsch with cherry juice or syrup so that children, pregnant people, and anyone avoiding alcohol can enjoy a similar flavor.

Because recipes vary widely, people with medical, religious, or personal reasons to avoid alcohol should ask how the cake was made or choose a clearly alcohol-free version.

Why are sour cherries preferred for classic Black Forest cake?

Classic German versions almost always call for tart or Morello-type cherries rather than very sweet dessert cherries.

Sour cherries keep more of their bright flavor against sweet whipped cream and chocolate, and they pair well with the sharp, slightly bitter notes of Kirschwasser.

Using very sweet cherries can make the dessert taste flatter and overly sugary, which is why traditional bakers favor the contrast that sour cherries bring.

How did Black Forest cake become a symbol of German pastry culture worldwide?

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte emerged in the early 20th century and spread quickly through German cafés and konditoreien, where it became a showpiece celebration cake.

After World War II, increased travel, tourism in the Black Forest region, and German emigration helped carry the recipe abroad, and it was adopted by pâtisseries and hotels as a “signature” German dessert.

Food historians and culinary institutions now often highlight it as an example of regional European baking that achieved global name recognition.

How does the traditional German Black Forest cake differ from versions served in other countries?

In Germany, the cake is usually a relatively light chocolate sponge with prominent whipped cream, sour cherries, Kirsch, and simple decoration with chocolate shavings.

In other countries, commercial versions may use heavy butter cakes, canned cherry pie filling, or stabilized creams, and they often omit alcohol entirely.

Some regions have developed related specialties, such as the Swedish Schwarzwaldtårta, which keeps the name but is actually a meringue and cream torte without cherries or Kirsch.

What are some common misconceptions about Black Forest cake?

One common misconception is that any chocolate cake with cherries and cream is “Black Forest,” even if it uses no sour cherries or Kirsch at all.

Another is that the name refers to the dark color of the cake rather than the Black Forest region and its cherry brandy tradition.

People also sometimes confuse genuine Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte with other chocolate cakes labeled “German chocolate,” which actually originated in the United States and have a different ingredient profile and history.