Skip to content

Top Navigation

Allrecipes Allrecipes
Log In Account Details

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Help this link opens in a new tab

More

  • Shopping List
  • Ask the Community this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • My Profile
  • Saved Items & Collections
  • Help this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Shopping List
  • Ask the Community this link opens in a new tab
Login
Get Allrecipes Magazine
Pin FB

Explore Allrecipes

Allrecipes Allrecipes
  • Find a Recipe

    Find a Recipe

    Include these ingredients
    Filter by including Ingredients
    Do not include these ingredients
    Filter by excluding Ingredients
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 30 Strawberry-Rhubarb Recipes to Make With Fresh Fruit

      30 Strawberry-Rhubarb Recipes to Make With Fresh Fruit

      Read More
    • How To Pick the Best Corn So Every Ear Is a Winner

      How To Pick the Best Corn So Every Ear Is a Winner

      Find the best of the best at your local grocery store or farmers' market. Read More
    • 16 Juicy and Refreshing Mango Salad Recipes

      16 Juicy and Refreshing Mango Salad Recipes

      The best fresh salads offer a variety of ingredients, textures, and flavors. Which is why a bare-bones salad is just an opportunity to get creative by adding an ingredient or two with lots of appeal. May we suggest making room for mango? A little mango makes an otherwise boring salad instantly appealing! The sweet, juicy goodness and exciting texture of mango will set your salads apart from the average lettuce mixtures. Scroll through these creative mango salad recipes and never eat an unappealing salad again.  Read More
  • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

    Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

    See All Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    10 Healthy Breakfast Casserole Recipes

    10 Healthy Breakfast Casserole Recipes

    • Breakfast Burrito Recipes
    • Breakfast Casserole Recipes
    • Crepe Recipes
    • Egg Recipes
    • French Toast Recipes
    • Frittata Recipes
    • Granola Recipes
    • Omelet Recipes
    • Overnight Oat Recipes
    • Pancake Recipes
    • Quiche Recipes
    • Waffle Recipes
  • Lunch Recipes

    Lunch Recipes

    See All Lunch Recipes
    10 Turkey Sandwich Recipes to Upgrade Your Lunch

    10 Turkey Sandwich Recipes to Upgrade Your Lunch

    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Sandwich Recipes
    • Sandwich Wraps and Roll-Up Recipes
    • School Lunch Ideas and Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes

    Dinner Recipes

    See All Dinner Recipes
    8 Pizza Casserole Recipes for Fun Weeknight Dinners

    8 Pizza Casserole Recipes for Fun Weeknight Dinners

    Pizza casserole may not be the most elaborate dish, but it brings dinnertime joy to both children and adults. The kid-friendly meal is a great option for busy weeknights because, once the pasta's boiled, all the ingredients combine in a single baking dish. Pizza casserole is a flavorful way to utilize staple ingredients, especially the boxed pasta, jarred sauce, and frozen vegetables taking up space in your pantry and freezer. Save these pizza casserole recipes for the next time you need a simple, crowd-pleasing dinner.
    • Dinner Fix
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Chicken Breasts
    • Chicken Thigh Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Ground Beef Recipes
    • Pasta and Noodle Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Pork Tenderloin Recipes
    • Turkey Recipes
    • Ground Turkey Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Salmon Recipes
    • Shrimp Recipes
  • Appetizer & Snack Recipes

    Appetizer & Snack Recipes

    See All Appetizer & Snack Recipes
    The Best Indian Street Food Snacks, Appetizers, and Small Bites

    The Best Indian Street Food Snacks, Appetizers, and Small Bites

    India is home to 1.3 billion people. It's one of the most diverse countries on the planet, with each region and subculture having its own must-try dishes. India is a real paradise for food lovers, including street food fanatics! Check out our collection of Indian street food recipes, appetizers, and sharable bites, from samosas to pakoras to sweets like kulfi and gulab jamun. 
    • Baked Brie Recipes
    • Bruschetta Recipes
    • Chicken Wing Recipes
    • Crab Cake Recipes
    • Deviled Egg Recipes
    • Fruit Dip Recipes
    • Guacamole Recipes
    • Hummus Recipes
    • Jalapeno Popper Recipes
    • Meatball Appetizers
    • Nacho Recipes
    • Salsa Recipes
    • Stuffed Mushroom Recipes
  • Bread Recipes

    Bread Recipes

    See All Bread Recipes
    18 Strawberry Bread Recipes With Lots of Color and Fruity Flavor

    18 Strawberry Bread Recipes With Lots of Color and Fruity Flavor

    Looking for a delicious way to bake with fresh or frozen strawberries? Your search ends here. Strawberries add fruity flavor and vibrant color to these breads and muffins. Whether you're looking for a basic loaf to make with just a few pantry staples, a decadent idea with a cream cheese filling, or an old-fashioned family recipe that'll please everyone at your table, you'll find mouthwatering inspiration in this collection of strawberry bread recipes. 
    • Banana Bread Recipes
    • Biscuit Recipes
    • Bread Machine Recipes
    • Cornbread Recipes
    • Doughnut Recipes
    • Muffin Recipes
    • Pumpkin Bread Recipes
    • Quick Bread Recipes
    • Sourdough Bread Recipes
    • Yeast Bread Recipes
    • Zucchini Bread Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes

    Dessert Recipes

    See All Dessert Recipes
    How To Store Lemons and Keep Them Fresh for Up to One Month

    How To Store Lemons and Keep Them Fresh for Up to One Month

    When life gives you lemons, give your lemons some life.
    • Baking Tips and Techniques
    • Cake Recipes
    • Carrot Cake Recipes
    • Cheesecake Recipes
    • Chocolate Cake Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Cupcake Recipes
    • Frosting and Icing Recipes
    • Ice Cream Recipes
    • Peach Cobbler Recipes
    • Pie Recipes
    • Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipes
    • Pound Cake Recipes
    • Sugar-Free Dessert Recipes
    • Sweet Spot
  • Drink Recipes

    Drink Recipes

    See All Drink Recipes
    10 Jalapeño Drinks to Spice Up Your Next Party

    10 Jalapeño Drinks to Spice Up Your Next Party

    • Bloody Mary Recipes
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • Coffee Drink Recipes
    • Jell-o Shot Recipes
    • Margarita Recipes
    • Martini Recipes
    • Punch Recipes
    • Sangria Recipes
    • Smoothie Recipes
    • Cocktail Tips and Techniques
  • Main Dishes

    Main Dishes

    See All Main Dishes
    Our 51 Best Boneless Chicken Thigh Recipes

    Our 51 Best Boneless Chicken Thigh Recipes

    • Beef Stroganoff Recipes
    • Casserole Recipes
    • Enchilada Recipes
    • Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
    • Pork Chop Recipes
    • Shepherd's Pie Recipes
    • Shrimp Scampi Recipes
  • Salad Recipes

    Salad Recipes

    See All Salad Recipes
    How to Make Caesar Salad From Scratch

    How to Make Caesar Salad From Scratch

    Put down that bottle of store-bought Caesar dressing. You won’t be needing it.
    • Chicken Salad Recipes
    • Coleslaw Recipes
    • Cucumber Salad Recipes
    • Egg Salad Recipes
    • Fruit Salad Recipes
    • Pasta Salad Recipes
    • Potato Salad Recipes
    • Spinach Salad Recipes
    • Tuna Salad Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes

    Side Dish Recipes

    See All Side Dish Recipes
    Our 10 Best Morel Mushroom Recipes

    Our 10 Best Morel Mushroom Recipes

    • Baked Bean Recipes
    • Broccoli Side Dish Recipes
    • Mashed Potato Recipes
    • Pasta Sauce Recipes
    • Potato Side Dish Recipes
    • Rice Side Dish Recipes
    • Salad Dressing Recipes
    • Scalloped Potato Recipes
    • Vegetable Side Dish Recipes
  • Soup, Stew & Chili Recipes

    Soup, Stew & Chili Recipes

    See All Soup, Stew & Chili Recipes
    10 Lemon Chicken Soup Recipes That Are Full of Citrus Flavor

    10 Lemon Chicken Soup Recipes That Are Full of Citrus Flavor

    Lemon juice adds bright flavor to these comforting chicken soups. In this collection of our best lemon chicken soup recipes, you'll find traditional favorites (such as Greek avgolemono soup, which is thickened to velvety perfection with egg yolks) and fun new ideas (from restaurant-inspired copycats to shortcut ideas made with just a few ingredients). Get the mouthwatering lemon chicken soup inspiration here. 
    • Beef Stew Recipes
    • Cabbage Soup Recipes
    • Chicken and Dumpling Recipes
    • Chili Recipes
    • Corn Chowder Recipes
    • Gumbo Recipes
    • Jambalaya Recipes
    • Potato Soup Recipes
    • Taco Soup Recipes
    • Tomato Soup Recipes
    • More Soup Recipes
    • More Stew Recipes
  • Cooking Style

    Cooking Style

    See All Cooking Style
    15 Vegan Potato Salad Recipes

    15 Vegan Potato Salad Recipes

    • 5 Ingredient Recipes
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • BBQ & Grilling Recipes
    • Cooking for Two
    • Family Dinner Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Kid-Friendly Recipes
    • Leftover Recipes
    • Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Diet & Healthy Recipes

    Diet & Healthy Recipes

    See All Diet & Healthy Recipes
    5 Breakfast Foods People With Diabetes Should Eat Regularly

    5 Breakfast Foods People With Diabetes Should Eat Regularly

    If you're watching your blood sugar and carb intake, start your day off with these heart-healthy, diabetes-friendly breakfast foods.
    • Well Fed
    • Diabetic Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Keto Recipes
    • Low Calorie Recipes
    • Low Carb Recipes
    • Low Cholesterol Recipes
    • Low Fat Recipes
    • Low Sodium Recipes
    • Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Whole30 Recipes
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining
    17 Delicious and Delightful Spring Cupcake Recipes

    17 Delicious and Delightful Spring Cupcake Recipes

    Spring is the season of rebirth, and that itself is a cause for celebration. The pleasant weather and sunshine make an ideal backdrop for get-togethers like wedding showers, picnics, brunches, and wedding receptions. And the best way for your dessert spread to represent a springtime state of mind is to include treats with springy ingredients, like fresh strawberries and bright citrus. Check out our collection of cupcakes that'll be welcome at any springtime gathering.
    • Holiday Planning
    • Cocktail Hour
    • Good Times, Good Food
    • New Year's Recipes
    • Recipes for Super Bowl(R)
    • Valentines's Day Recipes
    • Mardi Gras Recipes
    • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
    • Easter Recipes
    • Cinco de Mayo Recipes
    • Mother's Day Recipes
    • 4th of July Recipes
    • Halloween Recipes
    • Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Christmas Recipes
  • World Cuisine

    World Cuisine

    See All World Cuisine
    Throw a Korean-Style BBQ Party at Home

    Throw a Korean-Style BBQ Party at Home

    Korean barbeque is a shared experience. Here's how to create the communal Korean BBQ experience at home!
    • Chinese Recipes
    • Filipino Recipes
    • French Recipes
    • German Recipes
    • Greek Recipes
    • Indian Recipes
    • Italian Recipes
    • Japanese Recipes
    • Korean Recipes
    • Mexican Recipes
    • Russian Recipes
    • Spanish Recipes
    • Thai Recipes
    • Vietnamese Recipes
    • Global Kitchen
  • Kitchen Tips

    Kitchen Tips

    See All Kitchen Tips
    4 Hacks for Crushing Ice Without a Blender

    4 Hacks for Crushing Ice Without a Blender

    Here's how to use other kitchen tools to achieve the same result.
    • All About Ingredients
    • Baking
    • Buying
    • Cleaning
    • Recipe Conversion and Scaling
    • Decorating Cakes, Cookies and Other Desserts
    • Food Handling and Safety
    • Gardening
    • Grilling and Other Outdoor Cooking
    • How To
    • Meal Planning and Menus
    • Ingredient Substitutions
    • Kitchen Tools and Techniques
    • You Can Cook That
  • Allrecipes Magazine Recipes
  • Food Wishes with Chef John
  • Homemade Podcast
  • Trusted Brands
  • Food News and Trends

    Food News and Trends

    See All Food News and Trends
    Do Microfiber Cloths Actually Work?

    Do Microfiber Cloths Actually Work?

    Get to know the magic of microfiber.
    • Cooks to Follow
    • Gift Guides
    • Product Reviews and Buying Guides
    • Recalls
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Get Allrecipes Magazine this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Help this link opens in a new tab

More

  • Shopping List
  • Ask the Community this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • My Profile
  • Saved Items & Collections
  • Help this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Shopping List
  • Ask the Community this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. World Cuisine
  4. European
  5. German
  6. 17 Traditional German Cake Recipes

17 Traditional German Cake Recipes

Photo of Nadia Hassani
By Nadia Hassani April 07, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
german sunken apple cake
Credit: nch

It's for good reason that traditional German cakes are famous all over the world. Not only are they scrumptious, but the country's cake repertoire is also highly diverse. From the chocolaty, kirsch-spiked Black Forest Cake to a quick and easy apple sheet cake, there's a cake for every taste. Some German cakes are more elaborate and time-consuming than others, especially those that call for a yeast dough, a particularity of the more rustic German cakes. What all classic German cakes have in common is that they are made from scratch and use wholesome ingredients. In this selection of 17 German cakes, you'll get ideas for your next Kaffee und Kuchen get-together, plus tips on how to substitute or make typical ingredients used in German baking, such as quark and vanilla sugar.

Start Slideshow

1 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Apfelkuchen (Apple Cake)

apple cake on a yellow plate with a whole apple on the side
Credit: PLMLee
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It is not unusual for traditional German cakes with fruit, especially with apples and plums, to have a yeasted pastry base. Mostly these cakes are large sheet cakes meant to serve a crowd; a yeasted dough base was more economical than a butter-based batter or pastry crust. While the dough of these cakes is usually not very sweet, the streusel topping that is often added makes up for it. Yeasted dough tastes fresh the same day but if you freeze the cake within a few hours, let it thaw and pop it in the hot oven for just a few minutes to crisp up the dough — it will taste almost as good as freshly baked.

1 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Authentic German Cheesecake

german cheesecake
Credit: mkromwell
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cheesecake is comfort food in Germany, too. The filling of authentic German cheesecake (Käsekuchen) is made with quark, a dairy product that might be difficult to find where you live. But 0% Greek yogurt works very well as an economical and widely available substitute. The addition of non-instant vanilla pudding mix is to stabilize the filling. Try not to overbake the cheesecake; the filling should still be a little wobbly but it will firm up further as it cools.

2 of 18

3 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich)

bee sting cake, a german cake, on a plate with whipped cream
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Bienenstich is one of the most beloved German cakes that evokes childhood memories for many people. True, this German classic is neither a quick nor super easy cake to bake with its yeasted dough base, topped with a caramelized almond crust, and filled with creamy pudding made from scratch. Traditionally Bienenstich was a large sheet cake and bakeries in Germany still sell it that way, by the slice. You might also wonder, is this bread or cake? It is in fact very much a cake — in Germany, many traditional cakes, especially sheet cakes, have a yeast dough base. This is a scaled-down recipe for home bakers.

3 of 18

Advertisement

4 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Black Forest Cake

a whole black forest cake with cherries
Credit: Faith Mikhael Weitzel
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

There are several accounts of how and when Germany's most famous cake was invented, and it's not even proven that Black Forest cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschttorte) originated in the Black Forest in southern Germany. What is uncontested though is that the cherry brandy kirsch (Kirschwasser), which has been traditionally produced in the Black Forest for generations, is a key ingredient in this layered cake. Kirsch is drizzled onto the chocolate sponge layers, which are then filled with cherries and lots of whipped cream. Black Forest cake tastes better the day after it has been assembled so the flavors can meld — so if you can wait to dig in, let the cake sit in the fridge overnight.

4 of 18

5 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Butterkuchen

butterkuchen, german butter cake
Credit: Nina Greipel
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Don't be deterred by the simplicity nor the name of this classic German cake. Because it is a cake for a crowd and traditionally served after funerals, it is also referred to as "funeral cake." The best part of this cake is the buttery, crumbly topping and ideally it should be served when it's still warm. But unlike other yeasted German sheet cakes, which taste best the same day, Butterkuchen is very tasty even when it's a bit dry. Cut it into small pieces the size of biscotti and dunk them into tea, coffee, or hot cocoa.

5 of 18

6 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Donauwellen

slice of donauwellen, a german cake
Credit: emmy
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The name of this traditional German and Austrian sheet cake gives away its origin: Donauwellen means the waves of the river Danube, which flows in southern Germany and Austria. The bottom layer is a white vanilla cake, followed by a layer of chocolate cake and canned sour cherries. When it comes to the next layer, there are different variations, and this recipe is lighter with a custard filling instead of buttercream. It's a rather rich cake that is cut into small squares or rectangles.

6 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Easy German Apple Sheet Cake

<p>Sheet cakes (Blechkuchen) are a traditional mainstay of German baking. By definition, large sheet cakes are the ultimate cakes for a party or any occasion when you need to feed a lot of people. Germany has endless variations of sheet cakes. Easy ones like this apple sheet cake are topped only with fruit but always with a generous amount because sheet cake, in all its simplicity, should never be dry. Other cakes have a custard or quark layer below the fruit topping, or a rich, moist poppy seed filling, often combined with nuts and raisins. The cakes are either left plain or they're dusted with confectioners' sugar, drizzled with a simple white icing, or topped with streusel. If a whole sheet cake seems too large at first, consider sheet cake the the ideal bake-ahead cake that you can freeze and take out a few slices at a time.</p>
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sheet cakes (Blechkuchen) are a traditional mainstay of German baking. By definition, large sheet cakes are the ultimate cakes for a party or any occasion when you need to feed a lot of people. Germany has endless variations of sheet cakes. Easy ones like this apple sheet cake are topped only with fruit but always with a generous amount because sheet cake, in all its simplicity, should never be dry. Other cakes have a custard or quark layer below the fruit topping, or a rich, moist poppy seed filling, often combined with nuts and raisins. The cakes are either left plain or they're dusted with confectioners' sugar, drizzled with a simple white icing, or topped with streusel. If a whole sheet cake seems too large at first, consider sheet cake the the ideal bake-ahead cake that you can freeze and take out a few slices at a time.

7 of 18

8 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

German Advocaat Cake

german advocaat cake
Credit: nch
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Unlike eggnog, German egg liqueur, usually sold as advocaat, is not tied to any holiday season in Germany, and so it's consumed and used to spike cakes and other desserts year-round. You can find advocaat in liquor stores or make your own, which is quick and easy. Adding a whole cup of advocaat to this classic German Easter cake might sound like it will impart a strong alcohol taste but it doesn't — the spirit evaporates during baking and gives the cake a wonderfully fluffy texture. Traditionally the cake is baked in a Bundt or a kugelhupf pan but you can also use a tube pan, just bake it for a shorter time as needed.

8 of 18

9 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

German Rhubarb Streusel Cake

<p>Germans really love their streusel &mdash; and by streusel we don't mean itsy bitsy crumbles but large, chunky, crunchy streusel! There is virtually no German cake with fruit of which there isn't a variation with streusel topping. Rhubarb streusel cake is especially popular because rhubarb on its own is very tart and it's only the sweet streusel that makes it the treat that it is. Interestingly, it was only after the price of sugar dropped and was no longer a luxury that rhubarb gained popularity in Germany and found its way into streusel and cakes alike.</p>
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Germans really love their streusel — and by streusel we don't mean itsy bitsy crumbles but large, chunky, crunchy streusel! There is virtually no German cake with fruit of which there isn't a variation with streusel topping. Rhubarb streusel cake is especially popular because rhubarb on its own is very tart and it's only the sweet streusel that makes it the treat that it is. Interestingly, it was only after the price of sugar dropped and was no longer a luxury that rhubarb gained popularity in Germany and found its way into streusel and cakes alike.

9 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

German Strawberry Roll

a slice of strawberry roll cake
Credit: barbara
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh strawberries are the most popular fruit for this German version of a jelly roll but it can also be made with other berries, such as blueberries or blackberries. Made with fat-free sponge and a filling using only three ingredients — whipped cream, sugar, and chopped strawberries — this is a very light, airy cake. After assembling it, let it sit for a few hours in the fridge so the flavors can meld. Sometimes German recipes call for gelatin to stabilize the whipped cream, especially if the fruit is very juicy.

10 of 18

11 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Käsesahnetorte (German Yogurt Mousse Cake)

kasesahnetorte, german mousse cake with yogurt
Credit: nch
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This is a festive layered cake that goes by two different names in Germany: Käsesahnetorte or Käsequarktorte. The second name indicates the key ingredient in this cake: quark. If you cannot find quark, you can use 0% Greek yogurt, which makes an excellent substitute. The technique of baking a single sponge cake and cutting it in two equal layers instead of baking two separate thinner cakes is typical for the way layered cakes are make in Germany. It creates a neater surface and the sponge layers are moister. This cake should be baked the day before serving, as the filling needs several hours to set. The cake tastes better the next day, too.

11 of 18

12 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Marmorkuchen (German Marble Cake)

german marble cake
Credit: Diana Moutsopoulos
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

For generations of Germans, Marble Cake was the most common birthday cake, or the cake that would be served during visits to your grandparents on a Sunday afternoon. German home bakers today have adopted cake recipes from around the globe and marble cake has gotten some tough competition, yet it has remained a classic. Its formula hasn't changed much. A good marble cake is made of butter (always unsalted in German recipes), sugar, vanilla sugar (a staple in German baking), eggs, all-purpose flour, milk, and unsweetened baking cocoa. The rule of thumb is that one third of the batter is darkened from cocoa. For special occasions it is baked in a Bundt pan, but baking it in a tube pan or a large loaf pan is also popular.

12 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ottilienkuchen (German Chocolate Sprinkle Cake)

slices of ottilienkuchen, a traditional German cake with chocolate sprinkles
Credit: Meredith
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The recipe for this cake first appeared in the German baking book entitled "Backen macht Freude" ("The Joy of Baking") in 1930. Like other books published by the Dr. Oetker company, it was intended to promote its products such as baking powder and custard powder, but soon enough the books gained a life on their own. The baking book is still in print; it grew to over 400 pages and has been revamped and updated over numerous editions. Ottilienkuchen, however, has remained and is as popular as it was when the book was first published — although the identity of Ottilie, after whom the cake was named, is shrouded in mystery.

13 of 18

14 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Red Currant Pie

red currant pie, a german meringue pie
Credit: SunFlower
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Red currants are small, tart, and juicy berries that are a beloved summer fruit in Germany. Currants, both red currants and black currants, are not to be confused with the dried currants sold in the baking aisle of supermarkets, which are from raisins. The berries ripen in late June or early July. One of the most popular German desserts with red currants is red currant meringue pie, with red currants folded into the meringue topping. If you're wondering why a "pie" is included in this collection of cakes, it's worth noting that the German language actually does not distinguish between a cake and a pie — they're all called "kuchen." This pie should be eaten within a few hours; if the meringue topping sits, it tends to soften.

14 of 18

15 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Rhubarb-Almond Custard Cake

a slice of rhubarb almond custard cake
Credit: Lena
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Rhubarb season is always eagerly awaited in Germany, as rhubarb is the first locally grown produce in the spring that can be turned into a cake or a pie, long before the first strawberries ripen in June. The start of the local rhubarb harvest depends on the regional climate but there is a clear end date to rhubarb season in Germany: St. John's Day on June 24. And there is a practical reason for this — as the season progresses, the rhubarb contains more oxalic acid, which not only makes it unpalatable but also harmful to ingest. If you don't get around to making this cake during rhubarb season, no worries — rhubarb freezes very well.

15 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Zwetschgendatschi (German Plum Sheet Cake)

german plum sheet cake
Credit: Marianne
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In late summer during plum season, it's impossible not to encounter plum cake in Germany — it's everywhere and there are many different variations of it although plum sheet cake remains a classic. Plum cake in Germany is exclusively made with Italian plums or zwetschge plums. Both plum types are subspecies of the long European plums and both are freestone, meaning the pit separates easily from the flesh. Because Italian plums tend to be juicier than zwetschge plums and they can turn the crust soggy, zwetschge plums are the preferred type for baking in Germany. If you can get your hands on European plums and aren't sure which one you have, no problem — either plum makes a delightful cake.

16 of 18

17 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Versunkener Apfelkuchen (German Sunken Apple Cake)

german sunken apple cake
Credit: nch
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It's debatable whether German sunken apple cake is a cake or a pie because the apples are partially covered by the batter. While there are many different variations of this popular cake, one thing that all recipes have in common is that the apples are not chopped or sliced but cut in halves or quarters depending on the size of the apples, then cut deeply but not all the way through (a wooden toothpick inserted in the bottom third of the apple does the trick so you don't actually slice the apple). The apples are placed with the round, cut sides facing up. If you like, you can also fan the apples out in a decorative way. The cooled cake is dusted with confectioners' sugar.

17 of 18

18 of 18

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

More Inspiration

a plate of german cookies, vanillekipferl

Find loads more inspiration in our entire German recipe collection, and more:

  • Pictured: Vanillekipferl
  • Like coffee with your cake? You'll love this German tradition
  • All about marzipan

18 of 18

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Nadia Hassani

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 18 Apfelkuchen (Apple Cake)
    2 of 18 Authentic German Cheesecake
    3 of 18 Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich)
    4 of 18 Black Forest Cake
    5 of 18 Butterkuchen
    6 of 18 Donauwellen
    7 of 18 Easy German Apple Sheet Cake
    8 of 18 German Advocaat Cake
    9 of 18 German Rhubarb Streusel Cake
    10 of 18 German Strawberry Roll
    11 of 18 Käsesahnetorte (German Yogurt Mousse Cake)
    12 of 18 Marmorkuchen (German Marble Cake)
    13 of 18 Ottilienkuchen (German Chocolate Sprinkle Cake)
    14 of 18 Red Currant Pie
    15 of 18 Rhubarb-Almond Custard Cake
    16 of 18 Zwetschgendatschi (German Plum Sheet Cake)
    17 of 18 Versunkener Apfelkuchen (German Sunken Apple Cake)
    18 of 18 More Inspiration

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Allrecipes

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us this link opens in a new tab
    • Contact Us this link opens in a new tab
    • Editorial Guidelines this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Apps this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Careers this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithAllrecipes is part of the Meredith Food Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab. All Rights Reserved.
    Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Allrecipes. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.allrecipes.com

    Sign in

    View image

    17 Traditional German Cake Recipes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.