Get ready to explore a delectable world of German baking! From irresistible apple cakes to dreamy cream-filled delights, I’m sharing 20 incredible cake recipes that are sure to be a hit.
These time-honored treats are perfect for any occasion.
1. Butterkuchen
Don’t let the simple appearance fool you, this cake is divine! With each bite of this scrumptios cake, you’ll crave another slice, or maybe two. It’s an incredibly soft and fluffy cake overflowing with buttery deliciousness and topped with almond slivers that offer a delightful crunch.
Be ready to knead and proof the dough to prepare this masterpiece.
2. German Strawberry Roll
Let’s step away from the dense and decadent cakes and give a warm welcome to this light, delicate roll. At its heart is whipped cream and fresh strawberries, making it a slice of summer in every bite.
It’s fantastic for summer picnics and barbecues. Strawberries are the classic choice for this cake, but feel free to try other berries for a new twist.
3. German Apple Sheet Cake
This is another take on the apfelkuchen, but baked as a sheet cake.At the foundation is a vanilla and lemon-infused sponge cake that’s airy and light.It’s beautifully contrasted by apples that have been soaked in cinnamon and sugar.
Because this recipe makes a generously sized cake, it’s perfect for gatherings with your loved ones.When you need to feed a crowd, this cake is a terrific option.
4. Baumkuchen
This showstopping cake looks like a log from a tree. Its distinct look comes from rolling many thin, crepe-like layers of cake into a log.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it; it’s a demanding recipe. One look at it, though, and you know it’s worth it.
Did you realize that the Japanese are huge fans of baumkuchen? Look for it in Japanese pastry shops and even local convenience stores.
5. German Red Currant Cake
This cake features a delicate yeasted dough base that’s topped with vibrant red currants, making a delightful dessert for summer. Those who don’t like overly sweet treats will appreciate the tartness of this one.
These berries are common in Northern Europe. This cake provides a great blend of flavors if you aren’t familiar with currants.
6. Streuselkuchen
Odds are that the first thing you imagine when considering German desserts is streusel.
There’s a reason that streusel is so well-known in Germany. Streuselkuchen, aka German crumb cake, is prepared with a yeast dough that becomes incredibly soft and moist while it bakes. Chunks of buttery crumbles on top create a brilliant mix of flavors and textures.
7. German Plum Cake
The German plum cake, known as zwetschgenkuchen, is a much-loved dessert. There are various names and methods for preparing it across Germany’s regions. Yeast dough or shortcrust pastry may be used for the base, and some are baked rectangular while others are round.
This recipe creates a scrumptious plum cake in bar form with yeast dough and streusel. No matter how you make it, it will honor the deliciousness of the sweet and juicy European plum.
8. German Cheesecake
Cheesecakes aren’t just beloved in the States; they’re popular worldwide. Lots of countries, such as Germany, have their own versions of this dessert.
The German cheesecake, käsekuchen, is lighter and fluffier compared to cheesecakes here in America. That comes from the use of quark, a dairy product created with soured milk, that’s curdled and strained.
Instead of a graham cracker crust, this cake is made with shortbread. If you can’t find quark, whole-milk ricotta is a good substitute.
9. German Poppy Seed Cake
For fans of the nutty, crunchy goodness of poppy seeds, mohnkuchen is a must-try. The term “mohnkuchen” refers to any dessert that contains poppy seeds.
This recipe has a crisp crust for the base, a creamy ricotta-poppy seed filling, and a golden crumble on top.
10. Bee Sting Cake
Don’t let the name scare you; the only thing you’ll feel as you eat this cake is bliss. Bee sting cake, or bienenstich, is a pastry loaded with creamy pudding and honey-glazed almonds.
According to legend, a bee was attracted to the honey, and it stung the baker, hence the name.
11. Black Forest Cake
Who isn’t a fan of a tasty black forest cake? To begin, it’s a beautiful dessert that adds festivity to birthdays and other special occasions.
Secondly, it’s packed with textures and flavors. You’ll find layers of chocolate sponge cake, whipped cream, shaved chocolate, and cherries that have been soaked in brandy. It’s a delightful experience with each mouthful.
12. Marmorkuchen
Marmorkuchen is a delectable marble cake prepared by swirling together vanilla and chocolate cake batters.While the marble cake is loved worldwide, we have Germany and Austria to thank for creating it.
Spices and molasses used to make up the swirls in this dessert.However, chocolate is used to make it more appealing to children.
13. German Sunken Apple Cake
As you’ve probably noticed, Germans like to bake with apples in their desserts. That’s because they’re available all year!
Sunken apple cake, or versunkener apfelkuchen, is a soft and buttery cake featuring apple slices on top. For added texture, raw sugar is sprinkled on top of the cake.
14. German Apple Custard Cake
This take on the classic apfelkuchen is enhanced by warm vanilla custard. You’ll find a wonderful layer of tender apple cake that’s been spiced with cinnamon and cardamom at the bottom.
While the cake and custard are both delicious alone, they’re even better together.
15. German Cheese Cream Cake
Käsesahnetorte isn’t the same as German cheesecake. It’s a cake with a biscuit base and topping, with a creamy, smooth cheese filling.
The filling, made with quark, whipped cream, and lemon and tangerine juices, is delightfully airy and refreshing. This is so good that Germans love enjoying it with their 4:00 coffee.
16. Apfelkunchen
As you could probably guess, apples are the star of the show with this light and refreshing cake.
There are many different versions of apfelkunchen, including the gedeckter apfelkuchen, which is similar to apple pie, but it’s made with dense sponge cake for the crust.Then, there’s the apfelkuchen mit Mürbeteig, which is made with a thick shortcrust base, a spiced apple center, and a crumbly streusel topping.
This recipe makes the versunken apfelkuchen, also known as “sunken apple cake.”
17. Danube Waves Cake
The danube waves cake, or donauwellen kuchen, combines cherries, vanilla, and chocolate.
Two batters, chocolate and vanilla, are swirled to form the waves. The cake is speckled with cherries for added texture and flavor. A layer of buttercream frosting and chocolate ganache is spread on top.
It’s the perfect German dessert!
18. German Advocaat Cake
At the base of this advocaat cake, or eierlikörtorte, is a flourless almond chocolate cake, which is topped with cream frosting and advocaat custard. This cake is quite decadent.
Advocaat is a German egg liqueur that’s easy to prepare at home. The recipe relies on basic ingredients, including rum, cream, egg yolks, and sugar, to make the advocaat custard.
19. Bremer Klaben
Bremer klaben is a holiday bread studded with dried and candied fruit. Vanilla, cardamom, and lemon zest infuse the dense, cake-like dough.
Candied lemon and orange peels, almonds, and raisins complete it.
20. German Chocolate Cake
Here’s a dessert that you might expect to have German origins, but it doesn’t. Even though its name might lead you to believe that it comes from Germany, it’s all-American. Samuel German, an English-American chocolatier, invented it in the 1850s, giving it its name.
Layers of fudgy and moist chocolate cake combine with a gooey coconut-pecan filling and a luscious chocolate buttercream frosting. This cake is divine no matter where it comes from.