Germany’s Best-Kept Dessert Secret Is This Retro Sheet Cake

Until not too long ago, sheet desserts had a considerably uninteresting popularity. OK, perhaps not uninterestinghowever sheet desserts had been typically relegated to workplace events, children’ birthday events, and different gatherings the place they had been at all times an afterthought and by no means the star. Of course, for those who’ve been on the web or to a marriage these final couple of years, you may know all that has modified—sheet desserts are presently all the craze.

Whether from a bakery or our residence kitchens, it appears everyone seems to be adorning sheet desserts with swirls of pastel-colored buttercream, edible flowers, and colourful fruit. The once-overlooked dessert is formally having its second. While we’re solely simply rediscovering the allure of sheet desserts right here within the United States, Germany has by no means stopped celebrating them.

One sheet cake, particularly, holds a particular place within the hearts of many Germans and Austrians. It’s a nostalgic chocolate-cherry deal with which will look elaborate, however its secret is that it is very simple to arrange. That cake, reader, is Donauwelle, also called Danube Wave Cake.

What Is Donauwelle?

Donauwelle is a well-liked sheet cake present in each Germany and Austria. In some elements of Germany, the cake is also called Schneewittchenkuchen, or “Snow White cake,” because of its black, crimson, and white colours, that are harking back to the Brothers Grimm’s fairy story.

While it is not solely clear how the cake acquired its identify or its origins, its allure is plain. Think wealthy chocolate, tart cherries, and lightweight, fluffy buttercream. When my husband introduced it as much as his German coworkers, he was met not solely with enthusiasm but in addition a trove of cherished household recipes. And, based on my husband (additionally German), this deal with is a fixture at household gatherings, potlucks, and different celebrations.

It’s simple to see why this cake is so beloved. The marbled sheet cake options bitter cherries, chocolate cake, candy pound cake, and German buttercream. When baked, the cherries sink into the cake layers, making a wave sample that is solely revealed after the cake is sliced. Silky ganache covers the complete factor, after which a fork is dragged throughout the floor to create ripples, a nod to the cake’s identify.

If, like me, you did not develop up with this cake at each household social gathering, you is likely to be dazzled by the cake’s look; it is laborious to disregard the bubbly ripples and pops of cherry crimson. It’s a beautiful cake that appears to hit all of the marks when it comes to taste and texture: It’s each wealthy and lightweight, with a tart aftertaste that rounds out each chew.

If your thoughts simply went to Black Forest Cake, you are not solely far off. Donauewelle completely leans into the scrumptious pairing of chocolate and cherries. But regardless of sharing an analogous taste profile, it’s much less wealthy and boozy than Black Forest Cake, and due to this fact extra crowd-pleasing.

How To Make Donauwelle

While there are 5 parts to this cake, it is simpler to consider it as three elements: the cake sponges, the buttercream, and the ganache.

First, put together the cake batter, which, relying on the recipe, might look as simple as a regular pound cake recipe. Then, divide the batter into two and stir cocoa powder into one half; this would be the chocolate cake sponge.

Spread the plain cake batter onto a greased baking dish, then unfold the chocolate cake batter on prime. Top with cherries, then bake within the oven for 25 to half-hour, or till the cake sponges are baked via. After baking, let the cake cool utterly.

It’s pretty widespread to search out Donauwelle recipes that decision for German buttercream, which differs from the extra standard American and Swiss buttercreams discovered within the U.S. While American and Swiss buttercreams are a combination of butter and both granulated or powdered sugar, German buttercream is a mix of butter and custard or pastry cream.

However, if making each custard after which buttercream looks like an excessive amount of work, you would simply make the custard and name it a day. Since I really like the depth and lightness that German buttercream provides to the cake, I believe it is price whipping up some butter with the pastry cream for added complexity.

Once the cake is cool and your custard or German buttercream is completed, unfold it over the cooled cake and press a chunk of plastic wrap straight onto the floor of the cake to stop a pores and skin from forming. Refrigerate for no less than two hours to permit the layer to set.

Then, all that is left to do is put together the ganache, which is as simple as melting chocolate chips. Spread the ganache over the chilled custard layer and permit it to set for about 10 minutes. Then, drag a fork throughout the floor to create a wave sample.

Whether you grew up with Donauwelle or are discovering it now for the primary time, this classic deal with proves that sheet desserts may be something however atypical. Flavorful, visually spectacular, and splendidly unfussy, whip one up on your subsequent gathering and prepare for the compliments to roll in.