strip of acetate using an offset spatula Immediately wrap the cake: hold the strip with an end in each hand and wrap the cake left to the right, with the chocolatecoated side of the acetate facing the cake IT’S DONE WHEN IT’S DONE The mousse should be soft but not icy; the sponge should be moist but not wet You should taste the intricate flavor interaction between the cherries, the chocolate, the vanilla, and the kirschwasser Remember that you can increase or reduce the liquor to taste (but don’t increase by more than 5 percent or the flavor of the cake will be overpowered), or even omit it if it is unpleasant for you or if your children do not like it STORAGE You can keep this finished cake in the freezer for up to 1 month and it keeps for 2 to 3 full days in the refrigerator BLACK FOREST CAKE ALWAYS MAKES ME THINK of a young chef named Keegan Gerhard, who worked for me when I was the pastry chef at the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago and now has two restaurants of his own This story is about how Keegan got his start in pastry ...IT’S DONE WHEN IT’S DONE The mousse should be soft but not icy; the sponge should be moist but not wet You should taste the intricate flavor interaction between the cherries, the chocolate, the vanilla, and the kirschwasser... Keegan Gerhard, who worked for me when I was the pastry chef at the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago and now has two restaurants of his own This story is about how Keegan got his start in pastry ... the vanilla, and the kirschwasser Remember that you can increase or reduce the liquor to taste (but don’t increase by more than 5 percent or the flavor of the cake will be overpowered), or even omit it if it is unpleasant