Schladerer Schwarzwalder Kirschwasser Black Forest Cherry Brandy

If you're going to make a proper Black Forest cake, then you need to use a proper cherry brandy from the actual Black Forest region of Germany:

When I went searching for a recipe for the best Black Forest cake in the world, I read this little tidbit on Wikipedia: "Traditionally, Kirschwasser is added to the cake, although other liquors are also used (such as rum, which is common in Austrian recipes). In the United States, Black Forest cake is most often prepared without alcohol."

Wha-wha-WHAT?!! What is the *matter* with us Americans that we can't even be counted on to add alcohol, much less a proper Kirschwasser, into our Black Forest cakes? Wait, don't answer that . . .

When the BF and I visited Prague back in April of 2008, I had the pleasure of experiencing one of the most luscious Black Forest cakes I've ever tasted. We stopped in at a French bakery near our hotel in Old Town district, Au Gourmand -- this is what I had to say back then about their Black Forest cake: "I still have visions of a glorious Foret Noire -- airy, moist slices of dark devil's food cake and thick layers of real whipped cream clogged with chocolate covered black cherries and heaped with curly chocolate shavings."

By the way, Au Gourmand's Foret Noire is presently ranked as the #1 favorite customer dessert on their website (and with good reason, too). I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that they include a genuine Kirschwasser in their recipe.

You can get your own bottle of German Black Forest Cherry Brandy at the following link: Genuine Black Forest Kirschwasser. The Schladerer family website is here: Schladerer website, creators of the Schwarzwalder Kirschwasser Black Forest Cherry Brandy.

I never did find a recipe for the best Black Forest Cake in the world.