Here Are Some German Dessert Recipes To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth!
When you think of German food, what comes to your mind first? Hearty meat dishes and savory side dishes? Or sweet treats like cookies, cakes, and pastries?
If you were thinking of the latter (the sweeter side of life), then this post is for you! There is no shortage of sweet desserts that are eaten all over Germany.
From Franzbrötchen in the north (Hamburg) to Dampfnudeln in the south, you’ll find some German dessert recipes that are more regional – while others are enjoyed everywhere!
You’ll also find festive favorites like Stollen, a fruit bread for Christmas, and Berliner, jelly-filled donuts for Carnival.
Here is a collection of some of our favorite recipes for German desserts that you can make at home. With a few popular recipes – and a few lesser-known – you might even rediscover one that you remember from years ago!
This post is about more general German desserts. If you are looking for more specific types of sweet recipes, check out our other German recipe roundups:
Bavarian Cream
We love Bavarian Cream because it looks fancy, but it's actually fairly easy to make. Oh, and it tastes great, too. The creamy, light, and sweet consistency goes really well with the berry puree on top!
Get The Bavarian Cream Recipe
Dampfnudeln (German Yeast Dumplings)
Dampfnudeln are a traditional German dessert that consists of yeast dough dumplings that are cooked in a steamy pot. Popular in the south of the country, they are soft and airy on the top and crispy on the bottom. You can serve them with a savory or sweet sauce, such as vanilla sauce, and enjoy them as a filling and satisfying treat.
Get The Dampfnudeln Recipe
Rote Grütze (Red Berry Dessert)
Rote Grütze is a simple and delightful dessert that features a variety of mixed berries (often raspberries). This red berry pudding is a traditional treat in Germany and Denmark, where it is often enjoyed with unwhipped cream, but it also tastes delicious with vanilla sauce. Rote Grütze is easy to make with fresh or frozen berries and has a wonderful color and sweetness.
Get The Rote Grütze Recipe
Krapfen (German Jelly Donuts)
If you have a sweet tooth and love donuts, you should try Krapfen. They are a traditional German dessert that consists of yeast dough balls that are filled with jam and fried in oil. They are also known as Berliner or German Jelly-Filled Donuts and are often eaten during Carnival. Krapfen are soft and fluffy on the inside and crispy and sugary on the outside.
Get The Krapfen Recipe
German Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne)
Zimtsterne are traditional German cookies that are shaped like stars and flavored with cinnamon. They are made with almond flour, so they don’t contain any gluten. These cinnamon stars have a chewy texture and a shiny glaze that make them irresistible. They are a classic German Christmas cookie that you'll find on many festive dessert plates across the country.
Get The Cinnamon Star Recipe
German Cheesecake (Käsekuchen)
If you want to try a classic and authentic German dessert, you should make this German cheesecake recipe. It is known as Käsekuchen in German and is made with quark, a fresh and creamy cheese that gives the cheesecake a light and fluffy texture. The cheesecake also has a touch of lemon zest that adds a refreshing flavor. The crust is simple and crispy, and complements the cheesecake perfectly – you won't regret making it.
Get The German Cheesecake Recipe
German Plum Cake (Pflaumenkuchen)
German Plum Cake – known as Pflaumenkuchen or Zwetschgenkuchen – is a classic German cake that is easy to make. Made with fresh plums and a classic yeast dough, this cake is sweet and tarty… and topped with delicious streusel crumbles!
Get The Plum Cake Recipe
Kaiserschmarrn (Austrian Pancakes)
Sweet and doughy, Kaiserschmarrn (literally "Emperor's Mess") is a delicious dessert that is so easy to prepare. Originally from Austria, it is also a popular dessert in the south of Germany. Made with a simple batter of eggs, flour, milk, and sugar, this messy-looking pancake is best served with sweet plum jam, apple sauce, or powdered sugar!
Get The Kaiserschmarrn Recipe
Apfelküchle (German Fried Apple Rings)
If you love apples and fried desserts, you will enjoy Apfelküchle – also known as German Fried Apple Rings or Apple Fritters. They are made with apple slices that are dipped in a batter and pan-fried until golden and crispy. Then they are coated with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar that adds a wonderful flavor and aroma.
Get This Apfelküchle Recipe
Nussecken
Sweet and nutty, these Nussecken – German nut bars – are the perfect handheld dessert. Made with chopped nuts and jam on a flakey crust, these "nut corners" are dipped in melted chocolate for a little something extra!
Get The Nussecken Recipe
Streuselkuchen (Classic German Crumb Cake)
Streuselkuchen, also known as crumb cake or streusel cake, is a classic German yeast cake. Soft on the inside and topped with a generous layer of sweet and crumbly butter streusel, it's the perfect cake to go with coffee or tea!
Get The Streuselkuchen Recipe
German Gingerbread Cookies (Lebkuchen)
These German gingerbread cookies – called Elisenlebkuchen – are a classic German holiday cookie. Made with lots of nuts, gingerbread spice, and candied citrus, this cookie is soft and chewy yet perfectly sweet and nutty. Dip Lebkuchen in a simple icing or chocolate for the perfect sweet finish!
Get The German Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
Milchreis (German Rice Pudding)
Milchreis – or German Rice Pudding – is a delicious, creamy dish. A classic German dish, it can be eaten as a main course or dessert. This simple rice pudding is typically served with a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar or some fruit, such as fresh berries or canned fruit salad!
Get The Milchreis Recipe
Homemade Vanilla Pudding
This homemade vanilla pudding is a classic, easy dessert recipe. A staple in Lisa's German family, it can be made in minutes with just a few ingredients. This vanilla pudding is rich and flavorful – perfect for serving as a dessert for guests or just for yourself!
Get The Homemade Vanilla Pudding Recipe
German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)
With a hint of sweet and delicious crumble on top, this German Apple Cake is the perfect fall dessert. It is made with a moist and tender cake base that is filled with sliced apples and spiced with cinnamon. It is then topped with crunchy and buttery streusel that add a lovely contrast and sweetness. This cake can look a bit fancy, but it is actually really easy to make.
Get The German Apple Cake Recipe
German Franzbrötchen
A German take on a classic cinnamon bun, Franzbrötchen is a delicious baked good from the northern city of Hamburg. It is made with a simple yeast dough that is filled with butter, sugar, and cinnamon and then rolled and cut into pieces. The pieces are then flattened and baked until they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It's perfect as a dessert or a sweet snack.
Get The Franzbrötchen Recipe
German Spritz Cookies (Spritzgebäck)
These delicious German Spritz Cookies are a holiday classic! Made with a simple dough, these fun cookies can be made into any shape and are dipped in chocolate for a little extra sweetness. Spritz cookies are perfect for the holiday table and for making with creative kids!
Get The Spritz Cookie Recipe
German Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln)
Sweet and cinnamony, these German candied almonds known as "Gebrannte Mandeln" are a classic sweet treat often found at fairs and festivals. The almonds are coated in a delicious blend of sugar and spices, making them irresistible.
Get The Candied Almond Recipe
Ice Cream Coffee (German Eiskaffee)
Eiskaffee is a refreshing and delicious dessert/drink that is perfect for a warm summer day. It is made with chilled coffee and vanilla ice cream, creating a creamy and smooth combination. It is not just “iced coffee”, but a special treat that is often served in a tall glass with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top for extra sweetness and indulgence!
Get The Ice Cream Coffee Recipe
Apple Strudel
Apple Strudel – or Apfelstrudel in German – is a classic Austrian pastry that is also a very popular dessert in the south of Germany. Made with thinly rolled dough packed with sweetened apples and rum-soaked raisins, it tastes delicious with vanilla sauce and/or vanilla ice cream!
Get The Apple Strudel Recipe
Stollen (German Christmas Bread)
It wouldn't be the holidays without authentic German Christmas bread – also known as Stollen. This festive dessert is made with a simple yeast dough that is packed with rum-soaked candied citrus peel, raisins, and nuts. Once baked, the Stollen is then brushed with melted butter and dusted with powdered sugar for that signature frosted look.
Get The Stollen Recipe
