German baking

This German Blitz Torte recipe is such a quick and easy cake to make. Even though this recipe looks long and complicated, it isn't. Blitz means lightning or with lightning speed, and that's what this cake is - speedy to make. For something even more special, add strawberries or other berries to the filling. Decorate this German Blitz Torte with … [Read more...]

Known as Pfannkuchen in Berlin, Kreppel in Hessen, Krapfen in Southern Germany and Berliner just about everywhere else (excluding various dialectical variations), the jelly-filled donut, the cause of much unintended mirth when John F. Kennedy famously declared 'Ich bin ein Berliner' is a quintessential culinary component of Germany's carnival … [Read more...]

Grebbel is deep-fried dough, something like a doughnut, which is fried and then served with powdered sugar sprinkled on it, while still warm. Ingredients: 1⁄2 cup soft butter (no substitute) 1⁄2 pint sour cream (do not use fat free or low fat) 4 eggs, beaten 4 cups flour 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 tablespoons … [Read more...]

Schnecken are a type of sweet bun that was a traditional Saturday morning treat in German homes at the beginning of the 20th century. Schnecken means “snails,” which is what these coiled buns resemble. They are much stickier, puffier, gooier and generally more over the top than ordinary cinnamon buns. Ingredients: Dough --------- 3 1⁄2 cups … [Read more...]

This German cheesecake is a bit lighter than its American cousin. The filling is made with low-fat quark instead of cream cheese and egg foam is folded into the filling to give it a slightly fluffy consistency. Lemon and vanilla give the filling a fresh flavor. Ingredients: Crust 250 g all-purpose flour 125 g butter pinch of salt 30 … [Read more...]

There are countless apple cakes in Germany, but this one, in which a rather plain batter rises up and bakes around sliced apples, has to be one of the most popular. Cakes like these are often called Mittwochskuchen (Wednesday cakes) because they can easily be made during the week when time is short. Ingredients: 3 medium apples 1/2 … [Read more...]

Those big, warm, soft pretzels you can get at the big game or a fair... only at home! Be sure you eat them the same day you make them though, preferably while they’re still warm. But that shouldn’t be a problem. Bring out the beer and mustard! Ingredients: 1 cup (8 fl. oz./250 ml.) warm water (110 degrees F/43 degrees C) 1 package (2 1/4 … [Read more...]