Wie unsere Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte zubereitet wird

What does “getränkt” mean in German?

In this Black Forest cake clip, the baker says the middle sponge layer is soaked — “getränkt” — with cherry liqueur and Kirschwasser just before serving. “Getränkt” means soaked through: liquid is poured in until the cake takes it all up and stops being dry. This isn’t a light brush on top — the sponge is soaked through right before the cake is served, so the flavour is fresh and the crumb stays moist.

“…wird sie kurz vor dem Servieren nochmals mit Kirschlikör und Kirschwasser im mittleren Biskuitboden getränkt.” — “…just before serving it is soaked once more, in the middle sponge layer, with cherry liqueur and Kirschwasser.” Der Boden wird mit Sirup getränkt. — The cake base is soaked with syrup. Das Tuch war ganz mit Wasser getränkt. — The cloth was completely soaked with water. Notes: “getränkt” comes from “tränken” (to soak / give to drink) and almost always pairs with the liquid: “mit etwas getränkt” = soaked with something. In food talk it means a sponge is drenched so it stays moist, not dry. Outside the kitchen you also hear it for cloth, soil, or anything that has taken up a lot of liquid.