Black forest cake

Filling

• 300 g frozen pitted cherries cut into halves
• 80 g Kirsch (see Tips)
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 50 g water
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

Cake

• butter for greasing
• 150 g plain flour
• 200 g caster sugar
• 30 g cocoa powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 100 g water
• 90 g vegetable oil
• 3 eggs separated
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

Assembly

• 60 g dark chocolate plus extra shaved, for decorating
• 800 g pouring (whipping) cream (see Tips)
• 1 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 80 g Kirsch