The rich sweetness of good German cake (kuchen) goes hand in hand with stimulating steaming coffee (kaffee) and great conversation. Gathering friends and family together for an afternoon treat of coffee and cake invokes that feeling of Gemütlichkeit (coziness) that we all need from time to time to counter the stresses of everyday modern living. So consider snuggling up one afternoon with friends and family for a traditional German kaffee und kuchen klatsch (coffee and cake chat), accompanied by one or more of these German treats.
Looking to take it easy in the kitchen? Visit our sister site TheTasteOfGermany for German baking ingredients and cookies.
German Cheesecake (Deutscher Käsekuchen)
Make this the day before you intend to serve it so it can chill and firm. It is best made in a traditional spring-form cake tin with a removable base.
Eberswalder Iced Crullers (Spritzkuchen)
In 1832 Gustav Louis Zietemann unveiled his new creation named Spritzkuchen, made of choux pastry, baked in fat, and covered with icing. Ten years later, he started selling his pastry to passengers at the local train station. This was the path to success. The pastry became popular and a favorite with more than just the locals of Eberswalde.
Hazelnut Crown (Blütennusskranz)
A light, hazelnut and walnut cake baked in a ring and decorated with a simple glaze.
Badischer Plum Cake (Badischer Zwetschenkuchen)
A delectable cake to enjoy when plums are in season.
Rhubarb Sheet Cake (Rhabarberschnitten)
Rhubarb cakes are a spring favorite in Germany. In this quick and easy recipe, sweet raisins balance the tartness of the rhubarb.
Nuremberg Apple Cake (Nürnberger Apfelkuchen)
In this classic cake, golden glazed apple slices are nestled in a liqueur-spiked almond custard within a sweet cake dough shell.
Kirsch Marzipan Cookies (Kirsch-Marzipan Plätzchen)
Decorative and dangerously delicious, this jam-filled cookie requires a little bit of skill on part of the baker but will reward cookie lovers with its layers of flavor.
Dunkel Gingerbread with Chocolate Chunks
This German dark chocolate gingerbread cake full of deep, rich flavors looks enticing baked in a Bundt pan and dusted with confectioners’ sugar.
Lemon Almond Hearts
These delicious lemon-almond cookies are decorative and delicious at any time of year.