These German Cake Recipes Are Sure To Please You or Your Guests!
Searching for traditional German “Kuchen” recipes? You’re in the right place if you want great German cake!
From rich German cakes to cakes you whip together for a special occasion, there are lots of popular German cakes out there.
You may be familiar with Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in German), Marble Cake (Marmorkuchen in German), German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen), and Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich).
We don’t have recipes for all of these cakes on the website yet – but we’ll try to get it done soon!
In North America, “German chocolate cake” also seems to be a very popular cake. However, unlike the name suggests, it doesn’t actually originate 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 this cake on our list.
We’re only focusing on recipes that actually originated in Germany. Let’s get baking!
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 German dairy product you can make yourself – this cake surprises with a hint of lemon zest and a buttery crust!
Streuselkuchen (Classic German Crumb Cake)
Covered in delicious “Streusel”, Streuselkuchen is definitely on the list of classic German yeast cakes.
This easy to make yeast 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!
German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)
Starting off with a classic German cake, this delicious German apple cake with a hint of sweet and delicious crumble on top is the perfect dessert.
It’s made from classic baking ingredients as well as apples and cinnamon. Although it has a really fancy look, this cake is actually fairly easy to make!
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 multi-layered dessert looks fancy and complicated but it’s actually relatively simple to make. The simple butter cake base is always a hit – and the browned almonds on top make for 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!
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 from crispy butter biscuits/cookies layered with sweet chocolate.
Served chilled, the combination of crunchy and smooth textures are a delight to any chocolate lover! Since it has to be served right out of the fridge, this cake is best served at home.
Marble Cake (Classic German Marmorkuchen)
Did you know that marble cake actually originates in Germany? It’s also a relatively easy cake to make. Complete with a golden-brown crust, the chocolate and vanilla swirls inside make every slice artsy and unique!
It serves well with whipped cream or powdered sugar, making it a popular simple option for “Kaffee and Kuchen” (coffee and cake).
German Butter Cake (Butterkuchen)
This light and yeasty German butter cake is an easy and classic German cake recipe. It’s made from a simple yeast dough – and lots of butter – and finished off with sugar and sliced almonds that brown up to form a crispy, sweet top!
Butter cake is one of these classic sheet cakes that you make when you have lots of people to feed and aren’t sure about their preferences.
Since it’s a simple cake with basic ingredients and no fruit or cream, it stores well for a few days and is easy to transport, too!
Moist Chocolate Zucchini Cake
While this is not a classic German recipe, it’s modified from a chocolate zucchini cake recipe that Lisa’s German grandma used to make. It was her favorite cake recipe for years.
Rich and chocolaty yet still soft and moist, this chocolate zucchini cake is absolutely delicious. It’s made from finely shredded zucchini (that you likely won’t even taste if you peel it) and topped with a creamy chocolate icing!
Easy Lemon Cake
While the exact origin of lemon pound cake is uncertain, it’s believed that it originated in Europe. And to this day it’s a very popular cake to make in Germany, too!
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 delicious sweet flavor. It’s amazing how far a little real lemon zest and a handful of other ingredients can go.
