Prepare the Cherry filling

This was the first time I prepared a Cherry filling. Now if you remember, traditionally Black Forest Gateau is prepared with rich dark chocolate cake layers soaked in Kirsch syrup or liqueur and is therefore, rightly called the cake fit for the festivals or as I call it ‘Treat for the Grown Ups’. However, I think it would have been an act of unkindness on the kids if they were not allowed to indulge in a slice of this delicious cake. Therefore, we decided, no alcohol. Good decision! Now the only problem was, how to make the filling?

So, I looked at the recipe and it asked for, ‘Black Cherries in Kirsch’ which is prepared by dipping fresh pitted cherries in Kirsch and sugar till they absorb all the goodness of the alcohol and grow fat. Then they are drained and used for this recipe. Now Kirsch can be substituted with apple juice, black cherry, raspberry or black currant juice or syrup and any one of these would have been appropriate for the cake. I was still pondering about what to buy, when Debarshi suddenly spotted a pack of dried cherries at Costco and immediately it occurred to him that I can make the filling using these dried cherries.

Ingredients for the Cherry filling:

• Dried Cherries – 2 cups
• Corn Flour – 2 heaped tablespoons

Make ahead:

• Dip the dried cherries in equal amount of water (2 cups) in a medium bowl.
• Cover and refrigerate for 2 days. This will help the cherries to absorb water and they will become soft.
• Check the packet to see if the cherries have sugar, normally dried fruits have some sugar added in them.
• Make sure to complete this step before baking the cake layers. The dried fruits need time to soak properly.

Notes: 

• If you are baking the Black Forest Gateau, I would recommend to do the above steps before starting on the cake layers. 
• A certain amount of Sugar is very important because we don’t want the filling to be too tart.

Directions to prepare the Cherry filling:

• We are going to make a thick sauce to go with the cherries.
• Strain the cherries and reserve the juice.
• Roughly chop the cherries.
• Take a big pot and add the corn flour in it.
• Add 2-3 spoons of cherry juice in it. 
• Using a rubber spatula, mix the corn flour and the juice together. Form a paste and do this step before the heat is turned on. Make it absolutely smooth.
• Now add the rest of the juice and turn the heat on. Keep it on medium because we don’t want it to burn. It will start getting thick quickly so keep an eye on it at all times.
• Stir all the time until it comes to a boil and gets thick. Then reduce the heat to low and keep stirring. It will develop a shine and upon dipping the spatula, it will coat it.
• Remove from heat and add the chopped cherries in it. Stir so that they are completely coated in that sauce.
• Turn it into a bowl and leave to cool. 
• Refrigerate until quite firm.

Now we are going to Whip the Cream and assemble the cake.

Recommended Reading:

• Black Forest Gateau