German cake aside, Zwiebelkuchen is an autumn staple and classic German dish consisting of slow-cooked onions, eggs, sour cream, and bacon in a yeast dough. Similar in taste and texture to both deep-dish pizza and quiche.
For making pastry, combine flour and yeast in a bowl to form a well. Next, add sugar and half of warm milk before kneading it for 5 minutes and allowing it to rest.
Recipe
People usually associate cakes with being sweet. But Zwiebelkuchen, also known as onion tart or onion cake in Germany, is actually a savory treat! Made of rich yeasted dough crust with an onion-and-bacon filling bound together in a custard-like batter reminiscent of quiche or “Tarte a l’oignon,” you can pair Zwiebelkuchen with an unfiltered still wine from a recent harvest called Federweisser for an ideal combination.
Recipe of Savory Cake This savory cake recipe is very straightforward. First, create and prepare the dough using Hefeteig (a soft, sweet yeast dough). Next, prepare and fill it using salt, eggs, milk (you could also substitute with sour cream or heavy whipping cream instead), butter, bacon, and optional additions such as caraway seeds and pepper for additional taste! Finally, transfer to the prepared crust before baking!
Zwiebelkuchen can be baked either in a sheet pan or pie/cake tin. When baked in the latter, it will have more cake-like qualities with a deeper crust, and it will be easier to cut into slices afterward. Once completed, garnish it with optional buttercream or Krokant (toasted nuts mixed with sugar) toppings before topping with additional garnishes such as the optional buttercream and Krokant topping.
Baumkuchen is an iconic German dessert. Resembling tree rings with white or dark chocolate icing, Baumkuchen is traditionally served at weddings or special events as an extravagant dessert. If you prefer something less indulgent, try Vanillekipferl cookies made up of small crescent-shaped cookies flavored with vanilla, for an equally delicious experience.
Black Forest Cake, one of Germany’s signature desserts, consists of layers of frosted chocolate cake topped with dark chocolate shavings, cherries, and whipped cream. The cake’s name may have originated in Germany’s Black Forest region or from being typically enjoyed with Kirschwasser Cherry Brandy – either way; its popularity remains unparalleled!
Ingredients
German chocolate cakes are creamy layers of dense cake topped with sweet frosting containing coconut and pecans, creating a delectably satisfying treat that makes an impressive statement at any special event – be it an anniversary or birthday! Their origin dates back to Dr. Oetker, manufacturer of cake flour; this cake recipe first made its debut in their baking book Backen Macht Freude (“Baking Brings Joy”), published during the 1930s and remains popular today.
Frosting for this type of cake is comprised of butter, evaporated milk, and egg yolks; its sweetness is balanced with salty tones, while flavors are enhanced by adding sweet coconut shredded, chopped pecans, and vanilla extract. Evaporated milk – an inexpensive shelf-stable canned cow’s milk product in which up to 60% of its water has been removed – often makes an ideal choice as its creaminess adds depth and richness that make this particular frosting genuinely luscious!
A variety of fruit fillings can be added to a fruit cake, including rhubarb, raspberries, blueberries, apples, and plums. Rhubarb should be thinly sliced before being cooked to soften its tough stems before overcooking causes its sugars to caramelize, causing overcooked pieces. Warm slices should be served alongside lightly whipped cream for best results.
German cakes include Black Forest Cake, which features layers of Kirschwasser cherry brandy with chocolate shavings and cherries as the frosting. Although named for the Black Forest region in southern Germany, its inventor hails from Bad Godesberg near Lake Constance.
Frankfurter Kranz or Frankfurt Wreath is a delicious butter cake which, upon baking, splits into 2-to-4 layers after being decorated with more buttercream and red jam for decoration. This cake has become a classic wedding and funeral cake tradition throughout Northern Germany and Westphalia.
Preparation
Germans take great pleasure in the daily ritual of Kaffee und Kuchen – the afternoon ritual of coffee and cake (Kaffee und Kuchen)- an afternoon tradition that brings them together for coffee and cake in the form of Black Forest Gateau or Bienenstich cake – to enjoy with their afternoon coffee and cake (Kaffee und Kuchen)! Though some recipes require more preparation effort than others, with practice, it’s possible to recreate some delectable German dessert recipes at home!
As traditional German cakes typically serve large groups, yeast dough was an economical choice to keep costs down and create soft and light cakes with sweet toppings that have an extra crunch.
One of the most beloved German cakes is the iconic marble cake. Made with simple ingredients – butter (always unsalted for German baking), sugar, vanilla sugar, and unsweetened baking cocoa to darken its batter – the marble cake has long been one of Germany’s favorite pastries. Another popular marble-type treat is Mohnkuchen, which includes candied and dried fruits like lemon, oranges, and almonds for an equally delightful dessert experience.
German plum cake, commonly referred to as Pflaumenkuchen, is another timeless treat. Famous when plums are in season, this light and airy cake features sweet crumbs called Spreusel that provide an irresistibly delicious combination of flavors and textures.
Other fruity German cakes that use rich and creamy rhubarb fillings include Apfelkuchen and Rhubarb cake, which are perfect for parties and picnics.
Kasesahnetorte, one of Germany’s most beloved yeast cakes, is another popular staple. This decadent dessert features layers of whipped cream, grated chocolate, and shaved almonds – it’s easy to create at home!
Others include apfelkuchen, with apple slices sandwiched between two layers of light phyllo pastry, and kasesahnetorte, featuring toasty almond pieces instead of coconut to create an irresistibly toasty taste. With practice, you will soon be whipping up mouth-watering German desserts at home!
Cooking
People typically think of cake as something sweet; this German onion cake offers something entirely different: a savory meal rather than dessert! A fall tradition from Swabia, it is usually enjoyed alongside young wine that has just started its fermentation process called Federweisser (Fay-Daar-Vai-Sair).
Traditional Schwabischer Zwiebelkuchen features an indulgent crust made of enriched yeast dough with butter, milk, and caraway seeds added for extra flavor; flour may also be added to absorb some of the onions’ moisture. Inside is a delicious filling featuring eggs with either sour cream or heavy cream as the main components; additional Gruyere or Emmental cheese may also be present for extra cheesy goodness!
An onion pie can be baked either in a sheet pan or round cake tin. The latter version resembles French onion tart (Tarte a l’oignon), yet has a much more profound and moister filling, while its predecessor can easily be cut and served individually as brunch/lunch party fare.
This delicious onion dish can be served warm or chilled, though its optimal results come when still warm. It’s quick and easy to prepare; all of its ingredients can be found easily at any supermarket. A perfect alternative to burgers for entertaining guests with an authentic German meal experience!
Make a German-inspired dinner or snack using Quark instead of sour cream or heavy cream for an equally delectable and nutritious alternative! Wunder Quark provides this excellent cheese online, as well as numerous delicious recipe ideas using this form of cheese, and offers first-time customers a 15% discount with code IDB15 at checkout to redeem this offer! Discover more about this company by clicking here; where they offer great products such as cheese you can use to make creme fraiche or quark at home using their cheese!
