12 Authentic German Cake Recipes (By A German) (2024)

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These German Cake Recipes Are Sure To Please You or Your Guests!

Looking for traditional German “Kuchen” recipes? You’ve come to the right place if you want great German cake!

From rich German cakes and cakes with lots of fruit or crumbs (Streusel), to cakes you whip up specifically for a special occasion, there are lots of popular German cakes out there.

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You may be familiar with some of the more famous German cakes like:

  • Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in German)
  • German Plum Cake (Zwetschgenkuchen or Pflaumenkuchen)
  • German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)
  • …and even German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich).

We have most – but not all – of the recipes for some of these cakes on the website yet… but we are working on it all the time!

As for some other cakes, we need to clear the air a little bit.

In North America, “German chocolate cake” seems to be a very popular cake. However, unlike the name suggests, it’s not actually from Germany and Lisa (being German) was completely unfamiliar with it until she looked it up.

Sources suggest that this cake got its name from the baker whose last name was “German”. Whatever the case with this legendary German chocolate cake, that’s why you won’t find it on our list.

Instead, we’re focusing on authentic German cake recipes that are popular and actually baked in Germany. So, having said that, let’s get baking. Let us know which ones you love, and which ones you’d still like to see on here!

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German Plum Cake (Pflaumenkuchen)

German Plum Cake – known as Pflaumenkuchen or Zwetschgenkuchen – is a delicious and slightly tangy cake.

Popular when plums are in season, this classic cake can be made in a few different ways. Our version is with a yeast cake base, with fresh plums on top that are covered in sweet crumbs (Streusel)!

Get This German Plum Cake Recipe

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German Cheesecake (Käsekuchen)

For a classic German dessert, you've got to try German-style Cheesecake – called Käsekuchen in German. This cheesecake is lighter and fluffier than most North American versions.

Made with quark – a dairy product you can make yourself – this cake surprises with a hint of lemon zest and a buttery crust!

Get This Käsekuchen Recipe

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Streuselkuchen (Classic German Crumb Cake)

Covered in delicious "Streusel", Streuselkuchen is definitely on the list of classic German yeast cakes.

This easy-to-make cake – also known as a coffee cake or crumb cake – is soft at the base and crunchy and sweet on top!

It's the kind of cake that gets served when you go over for "Kaffee and Kuchen" (coffee and cake) at the grandparent's house!

Get This German Crumb Cake Recipe

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German Strawberry Cake (Erdbeerkuchen)

Another seasonally available cake (in the heart of summer strawberry season), German Strawberry cake – known as Erdbeerkuchen – is the best cake for a pop of color!

Our version is made with that spongy base. Add a few (okay, a lot) of fresh strawberries and that signature fruit glaze, and you've got yourself an easy-to-make cake that is light, sweet, and oh-so-yummy!

Get This German Strawberry Cake Recipe

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German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)

German apple cake, known as Apfelkuchen, is a popular cake made with apples, a hint of cinnamon, and delicious streusel on top.

This version is made with a simple dough that is easy to prepare and bake. And you can use any type of apples you like!

Get This Apple Cake Recipe

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Bienenstich (German Bee Sting Cake)

Got a thing for sweet honey, crispy almonds, and a delicious vanilla pudding filling? You need our German Bee Sting Cake Recipe!

This layered dessert looks fancy and complicated, but it's actually not that difficult to make. The simple butter cake base is always a hit – and the browned almonds on top add a nice crunch when you break through.

Legend has it that Bienenstich got its name because the bees were attracted to the honey in the recipe – and stung the German baker who first made it!

Get This Bienenstich Recipe

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Mohnkuchen (German Poppy Seed Cake)

Sweet, rich, and full of poppy seeds, German poppy seed cake – also known as Mohnkuchen – is another classic coffee time cake.

We made our version with a simple buttery crust, but you can make a different dough, too. The filling is made with poppy seeds and farina for a velvety richness. As with many German cakes, we topped it with a layer of streusel!

Get This Mohnkuchen Recipe

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Kalter Hund (No-Bake Chocolate Biscuit Cake)

This rich, chocolaty no-bake cake is a classic German cake recipe that was popular when Lisa was a child. Definitely not a healthy cake option, Kalter Hund is made with crispy butter cookies layered with sweet chocolate.

Served chilled, the combination of crunchy and smooth textures is a delight for any chocolate lover! Because it shoukd be served straight from the refrigerator, this cake is best served at home.

Get This Kalter Hund Recipe

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Marble Cake (Classic German Marmorkuchen)

Did you know that marble cake actually originated in Germany? It's also a relatively easy cake to make. Complete with an optional chocolate icing, the chocolate and vanilla swirls inside make each slice artful and unique!

It serves well with whipped cream or powdered sugar, making it a popular, easy option for coffee and cake.

Get This Marble Cake Recipe

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German Butter Cake (Butterkuchen)

This light and yeasty German Butter Cake is a simple and classic German cake recipe. It's made with a simple yeast dough – and lots of butter – and topped with sugar and sliced almonds that brown to form a crunchy, sweet top!

Butter cake is one of those classic sheet cakes you make when you have a lot of people to feed and you're not sure what they like.

Because it's a simple cake with basic ingredients and no fruit or cream, it is easy to transport.

Get This German Butter Cake Recipe

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Easy Lemon Cake

While the exact origin of lemon pound cake is uncertain, it is believed to have originated in Europe. And to this day, it's still a very popular cake in Germany!

This moist lemon cake recipe is easy to make and sure to be a hit with any lemon lover! The simple, drizzled icing gives it a deliciously sweet flavor. It's amazing how far a little real lemon zest and a handful of other ingredients can go.

Get This Lemon Cake Recipe

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Vanilla Pudding Cake

Last, but certainly not least, we have Vanilla Pudding Cake. This version is made with yeast dough as the base, vanilla pudding (made from scratch or made from a package), and, of course, more crumbs – aka Streusel – on top!

Get This Vanilla Pudding Cake Recipe

12 Authentic German Cake Recipes (By A German) (2024)

FAQs

What is Germany's most famous cake? ›

Black Forest Cake is perhaps Germany's most well-known and most-loved cake.

What are 2 differences between chocolate cake & German chocolate cake? ›

German chocolate cake uses a particular kind of baking chocolate as its base, one which has a milder, sweeter profile thanks in part to lecithin, a fatty substance derived from egg yolks. In contrast, classic chocolate cake recipes often use cocoa powder or darker chocolate for a richer, more intense flavor.

What is German cake called? ›

Kuchen is the German word for cake, and is used in other languages as the name for several different types of sweet desserts, pastries, and gateaux. Lebkuchen. Often sold at Christmas fairs and Carnival.

Why does German chocolate cake taste different? ›

Although German chocolate cake and classic chocolate cake share a chocolatey foundation, it's the choice of chocolate and the coconut-pecan frosting that set the German version apart.

Which dessert is known as the king of cakes in Germany? ›

A nickname of the Baumkuchen is also “king of cakes”. The reason for this is that baking a Baumkuchen is very elaborate and technically challenging. First of all, you need a special oven and also a lot of experience and patience to bake a Baumkuchen.

What is the famous cake in Bavaria? ›

Prinzregententorte (German: [ˈpʁɪnts. ʁeˌɡɛntənˌtɔʁtə]) is a Bavarian torte consisting of at least six, usually seven, thin layers of sponge cake interlaid with chocolate buttercream. The exterior is covered in a dark chocolate glaze.

What is the cake filling that is often used in German bakeries? ›

German buttercream is a custard-based buttercream that consists simply of pastry cream, butter, and any additional flavorings you may want. This buttercream is perfect for someone who likes a creamy, buttery frosting, but one that has a very subtle sweetness.

What is the signature dessert of Germany? ›

The Apfelstrudel is the most popular pastry in Germany. Germans often top Apfelstrudel with vanilla cream and whipped cream.

What is the famous dish of German bakery? ›

Käsekuchen (cheese cake)

Cheese cake may also be famous in New York, but it's a standard favorite in German bakeries - albeit with an entirely different recipe. Here, a German dairy product called Quark is used, which is thicker than yogurt but not as thick or sweet as cream cheese.

What is the frosting on German chocolate cake made of? ›

3. Make the German Chocolate Frosting: Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk in a saucepan and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts and coconut.

Should German chocolate cake be refrigerated? ›

German Chocolate Cake will keep at room temperature (granted you are not in a particularly hot/humid climate) in an airtight container for up to three days. It may also be refrigerated (in an airtight container) for up to a week. German Chocolate Cake may be frozen, wrap well and freeze for up to several months.

Do they eat German chocolate cake in Germany? ›

Hence the name German chocolate cake, right? However, the popular dessert isn't from Germany at all. Instead, it originated in the country that loves it the most: America.

What is the world's most famous cake? ›

The world's most famous cake, the Original Sacher-Torte, is the consequence of several lucky twists of fate. The first was in 1832, when the Austrian State Chancellor, Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, tasked his kitchen staff with concocting an extraordinary dessert to impress his special guests.

What is Germany's favorite dessert? ›

  • 10 Must-Try German Desserts and Sweets.
  • Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake) ...
  • Rote Grütze (Red Berry “Pudding”) ...
  • German Chocolate Bars. ...
  • Fruit and Quark Pastries. ...
  • Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake) ...
  • Käsekuchen (German Cheesecake) ...
  • Dampfnudeln mit Vanillesauce.

What is German bakery famous for? ›

German Bakery has been famous for its specialized vegetarian menu, featuring raw foods and organic food, since its inception in 1979. Everything served here is prepared fresh to order, including the hummus and tofu!

Why is Black Forest cake popular in Germany? ›

The Black Forest cake has become an iconic symbol of German culinary excellence. It represents the country's rich dessert traditions and showcases the skill and craftsmanship of German pastry chefs. Today, it is a staple in bakeries and dessert menus around the world.

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