Black Forest recipes

Make this black forest cake ahead if you’re expecting lots of guests this Christmas. It can be frozen, un-iced, then defrosted when you need it and decorated on the day

James Martin's indulgent trifle won't keep you in the kitchen for long but will impress guests at your next get-together

Impress your guests with this chocolate cherry layered cream cake - a revamped version of a retro classic.

Make an easy ‘fridge cake’ version of Black Forest gateau by layering cherries, chocolatey cream and chocolate biscuits. It's a moreish dessert to end a meal

Based on the seventies cake classic that is Black Forest gâteau – this cherry, ice cream and brownie desert is heavenly. Don't cheat - make your own brownies too

A simple, quick and indulgent dessert you can rustle up in 10 minutes. If you want to make a non-alcoholic version, use a can of cherries in syrup instead

Sweet cocoa pastry is filled with a rich, fruity filling of chocolate and cherries in this heavenly German gateau-inspired dessert

A clever twist on your standard Bircher that seems like pure indulgence but counts for one of your five-a-day and is rich in fibre too

Paul Hollywood's sumptuous chocolate, raspberry and cream sponge falls somewhere between a Yule log and Swiss roll. Add a drop of Drambuie for a cheeky adult twist

These easy-to-make, fudgy brownies, complete with retro decoration, marry a much-loved flavour pairing of cherry and chocolate

Take the classic summer Eton mess combo of cream and meringue and give it a festive twist with frozen mixed berries, cinnamon and blackcurrant liqueur

A delicious dessert, made with gluten-free flour

These cute cakes make a perfect finish for a special dinner and you can bake the sponge up to two days ahead

This spin on summer pudding is packed with cherries, blackberries, black grapes, blueberries, blackcurrants and a splash of Cassis liqueur

Make the ultimate retro pudding mash-up, a combination of arctic roll meets black forest gateau, complete with chocolate sponge and an ice cream centre

Try this ultimate make-ahead dessert for Christmas: meringue, white chocolate, cream and cherries are combined to make a luscious centrepiece