white forest cakes
mini white forest entremet
kirsch cherry cakes
white chocolate cherry dessert
flourless chocolate sponge
fleur de sel shortbread
morello cherry insert
whipped kirsch ganache
individual french cakes
festive make ahead dessert
26 March 2025

Mini White Forest Kirsch Cherry Cakes

JojoM

Mini White Forest Kirsch Cherry Cakes

Mini white forest entremet cakes with fleur de sel shortbread, flourless chocolate sponge, whipped kirsch ganache and Morello cherries in white chocolate.

Mini White Forest Kirsch Cherry Cakes 🍒✨

These Mini White Forest Kirsch Cherry Cakes bring together everything luxurious about French entremets—layers of texture, bright cherry flavours, soft whipped kirsch ganache, and a crisp chocolate–shortbread base. They’re elegant, festive, and perfect for impressing guests without needing a full-sized cake.

Inspired by the classic white forest gâteau, this mini version focuses on balance: not too sweet, lots of cherry brightness, and a silky white chocolate finish. Each cake features Morello cherry insert, flourless chocolate sponge, fleur de sel shortbread, and an airy kirsch ganache encased in a thin white chocolate shell. The result? A refined individual dessert that feels instantly pâtisserie-level. ✨

What Makes These Mini White Forest Cakes Special 💛

These elegant mini cakes stand out thanks to their combination of textures and flavours:

  • A fleur de sel shortbread base that adds crunch and a hint of saltiness.
  • A flour-free chocolate sponge—light, moist, and deeply chocolaty.
  • A crispy chocolate–shortbread layer that gives each bite contrast.
  • A whipped kirsch ganache that’s feather-light yet creamy.
  • A vibrant Morello cherry insert, bringing tartness and juiciness.
  • A white chocolate coating for that signature snowy finish.

They’re ideal for holidays, special occasions, valentine’s desserts, or anytime you want to serve something small but spectacular.

Tips for Beautiful, Professional Results 🎂

Because these cakes are built in layers, a few make-ahead components will make the process much smoother:

  • Freeze the filled cakes thoroughly before glazing—this ensures a satin-smooth white chocolate finish.
  • Prepare the cherry insert and ganache the day before to develop better flavour and structure.
  • Adjust the kirsch according to taste—keep a small amount for aroma even if reducing alcohol.
  • Keep everything well-chilled while assembling for sharp, clean layers.

Ingredient Highlights 🌟

This recipe features a thoughtful selection of components to create a well-balanced entremet:

  • Shortbread with fleur de sel for contrast and depth.
  • Flourless chocolate sponge for a rich but light bite.
  • White chocolate + cocoa butter coating that sets beautifully and cracks gently.
  • Morello cherries for their bold, tart profile—perfect for cutting through sweetness.

Each layer plays a role in bringing structure, flavour, and elegance.

How These Mini Entremets Come Together 🧁

The process follows classic entremet construction techniques:

  1. Bake the shortbread and prepare the flourless sponge.
  2. Make and freeze the cherry insert, keeping whole cherries for texture.
  3. Prepare the whipped kirsch ganache, then chill it overnight.
  4. Assemble the cakes in small rings—base, ganache, sponge, insert, and crispy layer.
  5. Freeze until solid, unmould, and coat in white chocolate at 30–32°C.
  6. Finish each with a dusting of non-melting sugar and a kirsch-soaked cherry on top.

These steps ensure clean edges and a professional look—no specialised moulds required aside from small rings.

Serving & Storage 🍰

These mini white forest cakes hold beautifully in the freezer, making them a perfect make-ahead dessert for entertaining:

  • Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month in the freezer.
  • Thaw in the fridge for 2–3 hours before serving.
  • Decorate with cherries and sugar just before presenting.

Elegant, balanced, and absolutely delicious—these mini entremets are guaranteed to become a favourite for special occasions and festive gatherings. 💕🍒

Mini White Forest Kirsch Cherry Cakes

JojoM

Mini white forest entremet cakes with fleur de sel shortbread, flourless chocolate sponge, whipped kirsch ganache and Morello cherries in white chocolate.

Mini White Forest Kirsch Cherry Cakes image
white forest cakes
mini white forest entremet
kirsch cherry cakes
white chocolate cherry dessert
flourless chocolate sponge
fleur de sel shortbread
morello cherry insert
whipped kirsch ganache
individual french cakes
festive make ahead dessert
Prep Time
80 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
235 mins
Servings
10

Chef's Tips

  • Freeze the assembled cakes until very firm before airbrushing or glazing so the white chocolate coating sets in a thin, even layer.

  • Make the cherry insert and kirsch ganache a day ahead to spread out the work and allow the flavours to develop fully.

  • For a milder finish, replace part of the kirsch with cherry juice or syrup while keeping a small amount of kirsch for aroma.

Ingredients

USMetric

Fleur de Sel Shortbread

Flour-Free Chocolate Sponge Cake

Crispy Fleur de Sel Sponge Layer

Whipped Kirsch Ganache

Morello Cherry Insert

White Chocolate Coating

Decoration

Instructions

Fleur de Sel Shortbread

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 165°C (330°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment.

  2. 2

    Pulse dark chocolate in a food processor until fine.

  3. 3

    Cream butter, brown sugar, caster sugar, vanilla and fleur de sel.

  4. 4

    Sift flour, cocoa powder and baking soda; mix into the butter mixture.

  5. 5

    Fold in chopped chocolate.

  6. 6

    Roll dough to 3 mm thickness between parchment and bake 12–13 minutes.

  7. 7

    Cool completely and chop finely.

Flour-Free Chocolate Sponge Cake

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 180°C (360°F). Line a shallow tray with parchment.

  2. 2

    Whisk egg yolks with half the sugar until pale and thick.

  3. 3

    Whip egg whites with remaining sugar to glossy peaks.

  4. 4

    Fold mixtures together gently.

  5. 5

    Fold in sifted cocoa powder.

  6. 6

    Spread to 5 mm thickness and bake about 20 minutes.

  7. 7

    Cool and cut rounds.

Crispy Fleur de Sel Sponge Layer

  1. 1

    Melt white chocolate and cocoa butter over a bain-marie.

  2. 2

    Fold in 450 g chopped shortbread.

  3. 3

    Spread thinly and allow to set before cutting into discs.

Whipped Kirsch Ganache

  1. 1

    Soak gelatin. Heat half the cream.

  2. 2

    Dissolve gelatin in hot cream.

  3. 3

    Pour over white chocolate; blend until smooth.

  4. 4

    Blend in kirsch and remaining cream.

  5. 5

    Chill completely before whipping.

Morello Cherry Insert

  1. 1

    Blend cherry purée with xanthan gum.

  2. 2

    Fold in frozen cherries and kirsch-soaked cherries.

  3. 3

    Pipe into moulds and freeze.

White Chocolate Coating

  1. 1

    Melt cocoa butter and pour over chopped white chocolate.

  2. 2

    Blend smooth and cool to 30–32°C.

Assembly and Finishing

  1. 1

    Line ten 6.5 cm × 7 cm cake rings.

  2. 2

    Add shortbread base.

  3. 3

    Whip ganache to soft peaks and pipe to line sides.

  4. 4

    Insert chocolate sponge round.

  5. 5

    Pipe cherry insert in centre.

  6. 6

    Add crispy layer and cover with more ganache.

  7. 7

    Smooth tops and freeze 2 hours.

  8. 8

    Unmould and coat with white chocolate.

  9. 9

    Dust with Codineige and top with a kirsch-soaked cherry.

Comments & Reviews

  • Lena

    10/3/2025

    Made over two days—looked so professional with the white coating.

  • Alex

    7/14/2025

    Reduced the kirsch slightly and still delicious. Beautiful dessert!

  • Marie

    4/2/2025

    Tried these for a small dinner party—lots of steps but absolutely worth it.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 mini cake

Calories 520
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 34g44%
Saturated Fat 14g70%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 115mg38%
Sodium 220mg10%
Total Carbohydrates 48g17%
Dietary Fiber 3g11%
Sugars 35g
Protein 7g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Mini White Forest Kirsch Cherry Cakes