What is an alternative covering for a black forest cake?

The alternative covering for a black forest cake that is commonly used is fondant. Fondant is a smooth, pliable icing made from sugar, water, and other ingredients that can be rolled out and draped over cakes to create a beautifully finished appearance. It allows for intricate designs and decorations, making it popular among cake decorators for both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.

While ganache, which is a mixture of chocolate and cream, is often used as a filling or a glaze on cakes, it does not provide the same smooth, hard exterior as fondant does. Icing sugar typically acts more as a dusting or can be used in making buttercream, while syrup is mainly used to moisten or sweeten cake layers rather than serve as a covering. Thus, fondant stands out as a proper choice for creating a decorative outer layer on a black forest cake.