Traditional German Christmas Cookies

Traditional German Christmas Cookies Recipes

Traditional German Christmas Cookies

The Traditional German Christmas Cookies are offering a large selection of recipes, and all with quite a story. Some cookies are easier to prepare than others. Butter, eggs, flour, sugar, spices, and a variety of nuts are basic ingredients. The baking goods have a few things in common which are the delicious taste, the typical smell in the kitchen pointing towards Christmas, and the creation of memories with children and grandchildren.

Linzer Cookies – Fruit Filled Butter Cookies

German Butter Cookies   

German Butter Cookies

German Butter Cookies

When to start baking the Cookies:

The holiday baking season begins before the First of Advent so that these tasty treats will be ready for consumption on that most anticipated day. The ladies of the house will carefully ration, hide, and monitor the cookies in tin boxes—making sure they last until Christmas. Each week, one new kind of traditional German Christmas cookies is added to the mix. The last enticing offering is called the “Kalte Pracht,” which means “Cold Splendor.” Between light, thin wafers is an irresistible chocolate-, rum-, and coconut-butter spread. I always had to make it the day before Christmas Eve, or else they would never have lasted.

German Spritz Cookies

German Spritz Cookies   

German Hazelnut Macaroon Recipe

German Hazelnut Macaroon Recipe

Original Macaroons Recipe

Baking with Children the Traditional German Christmas Cookies

Children are always a big part of the baking process of Traditional German Christmas Cookies. After all, they need to learn the recipes and skills to pass them along to their children. Just as important is knowing, when to make the cookies. Look outside. When the cold winter days get shorter, and the reddish sunset sky paints the perfect holiday backdrop, it is time for Christkind to bake the cookies.

Original German Gingerbread Recipe

Original German Gingerbread Recipe

German Gingerbread Elisenlebkuchen

German Gingerbread Elisenlebkuchen

German Spekulatius Cookie Recipe

German Spekulatius Cookie Recipe

German Marzipan Cookies Bethmaennchen

German Marzipan Cookies Bethmaennchen

German Marzipan Potatoes Recipe

German Marzipan Potatoes Recipe

Traditional German Springerle Recipe

Traditional German Springerle Recipe

German Pfeffernuesse Cookies

German Pfeffernuesse Cookies

My children also started to help baking the Christmas cookies at a young age. Since I always made the cookies from scratch—which entails grinding the nuts, shaping the decorations, and using only fresh ingredients—there was a lot to do. My oldest son had the responsibility of peeling, drying, and grinding the almonds. My older daughter was in charge of helping me to shape the cookies while my younger daughter helped to make the icing and sugar flowers. The youngest one made himself responsible for taste-testing the dough. One thing is for sure, my children and grandchildren never want to miss the cookies. My grandson just told me, “Oma, you need to hide them.” Translation: He is coming back and wants to eat some more. His sister agreed.

German Lemon Heart Cookies

German Lemon Heart Cookies

Vanilla Horn Cookies

Vanilla Horn Cookies

German Cinnamon Star Cookies

German Cinnamon Star Cookies

How I took over the baking power:

I was always my mother’s assistant when it came to baking Authentic German Christmas Cookies, until one year when I was 14, I had to take over. My mother was ill, and the thought of no cookies on Christmas made everyone else feel sick, too. So, nervously, I accepted the challenge. I mean, helping was one thing but doing it all on my own was another. The cookies, however, turned out so well that I happily inherited the responsibility year after year. The immediate and extended family members approved to the transition of the cookie power. They always enjoyed their fair share of cookies. Every Christmas season, I would try a new recipe. The ones I mastered made it to my binder. Throughout the years, I have collected many recipes. Now I could not be more pleased to share the recipes of German Christmas Cookies with you and your family.

Traditional German Thumbprint Christmas Cookies

Traditional German Thumbprint Christmas Cookies

German Anise Christmas Cookies

German Anise Christmas Cookies

Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Traditional German Oatmeal Cookies

Traditional German Oatmeal Cookies

Merry Christmas

I hope you get to try some of these delicious Traditional German Christmas Cookies with your family. And if you have children, put some Christmas music on and get them involved. It will be a great memory for them. And for you, as well. Please share your stories. And I will keep sharing my recipes!

German Recipe Kalter Hund – Heinerle

German Recipe Kalter Hund - Heinerle

Orange Liqueur Cookies

Orange Liqueur Cookies

Homemade German Rum Balls

Homemade German Rum Balls

Cognac Cookies Recipe

Cognac Cookies Recipe

German Nut Corners Recipe

German Nut Corners Recipe

Chocolate Dipped Almond Horns Recipe

Chocolate Dipped Almond Horns Recipe

It’s the Christmas baking season. Cookies, anyone?

Happiest of holidays! _Oma

Traditional German Christmas Cookies Recipes

Currywurst Sauce Recipe

Currywurst Sauce Recipe

Currywurst Sauce Recipe – It’s German

The Currywurst Sauce Recipe is a German Recipe served cold over fried or grilled bratwurst cut into bite-size pieces with sprinkles of curry on top. I also like the sauce over boiled Knockwurst.

Ingredients for the Currywurst Sauce Recipe:

  • 2 large yellow onions peeled and diced (500 g – 1.1 lbs)
  • 800 g (1.76 lbs) of canned whole peeled tomatoes (a large can has 794 g – 1lbs 12 oz)
  • 150 ml (5.07 oz) of white cooking wine OR water 75 ml – 2.5 oz mixed with 2 tablespoons of apple vinegar and apple juice
  • 100 ml (3.38 oz) of orange juice OR pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil
  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste OR 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and 1 tablespoon of Worchestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar, brown
  • 1 tablespoon of paprika, sweet
  • 2 tablespoons of curry, optional mild or hot Madras curry powder
  • ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, optional
  • ½ teaspoon of cloves, ground
  • 1 teaspoon of salt

Preparation of the sauce

Peel the onions and cut them into small dices. Heat the oil in a skillet pan and fry the onion dice until they are transparent. Next, sprinkle the sugar over the onions and caramelize them. While stirring, add the tomato paste and cloves until the ingredients are mixed. Finally, pour the wine/grape juice, tomatoes, and orange/pineapple juice over the onions before adding paprika, curry, cayenne pepper, and salt.

Preparation of onions for curry sauce   caramelizing onions   Adding spices to the currywurst sauce

Turn the heat down and let the sauce uncovered simmer for 25-30 minutes or until it thickens. Then, puree the sauce in a blender or immersion blender. Spice it to your taste. Let the sauce cool and refrigerate for a day before using it to allow the flavors to meld.

Cooking of the Currywurst Sauce Recipe   Blending ingredients   Finishing Currywurst Sauce Recipe

The currywurst is served with French fries or a roll.

Currywurst with Knockwurst

 

 

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Recipe

The White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake combines a shortcrust filled with a cheesecake mixture and raspberries. My oldest son requested to make one. I never did before, but I came up with the following recipe after I was not too fond of my first version.

Ingredients for shortcrust:

  • 200 g (7.05 oz) of all-purpose flour
  • 1 pinch of baking powder
  • 50 g of sugar
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 egg L
  • 110 g (3.9 oz) of butter

Ingredients for raspberries:

  • 400 g (14.1 oz) of fresh raspberries
  • 75 g (2.64 oz) of sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of potato starch OR Gustin OR cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons of cold water

Ingredients for Cheesecake mixture:

  • 500 g (1.1 lbs) of cream cheese
  • 150 g (5.29 oz) of plain whole milk yogurt
  • 100 ml (3.38 oz) of whipping cream
  • 100 g (3.52 oz) of sugar superfine OR caster sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste OR 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract OR 1 pouch of vanilla sugar
  • 3 eggs, XL
  • 2 tablespoons of vanilla pudding powder
  • 300 g (10.58 oz) of white chocolate

Preparation of the raspberries:

Start by preparing the raspberries. Wash them, add the sugar, and bring them in a saucepan slowly to a boil. Dissolve the potato starch in the water and add to the fruit while constantly stirring. Pass the raspberries through a sieve, set them aside, and let them cool down while stirring from time to time.

Preparation of shortcrust for White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake:

Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Make a hole in the center to place the egg. Cover the egg with the dry ingredients and spread the butter on top. Knead until all ingredients are combined and form a smooth dough. Wrap the dough in a cellophane wrap and place it for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator. If the dough is sticky, add some more flour; if it is too dry, add some butter.

Preparation of cheesecake/chocolate mixture:

Mix the cream cheese, yogurt, and whipping cream on low with a handheld electric mixer. Next, slowly add the sugar, vanilla bean paste, and one egg after another. Top the mixture with the vanilla pudding powder and mix.

Save 3 tablespoons of the raspberry mixture and add the rest to the cheese mixture. Melt the chocolate in a bain-marie (double cooker pot), and fold the slightly cooled chocolate into the cheese mixture using a spatula.

Preparation of raspberries   Preparation of chocolate   Preparation of cheese mixture for White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Finishing of the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake:

First, cover the springform on the bottom and sides with baking paper and fold or cut it every few inches on the sides (I used a spring pan 26 cm). Next, roll a bit more than half of the dough on the bottom of the springform. Divide the rest of the dough in half for the outer crust. Form two rolls and place them around the inside of the pan. Lastly, with your fingers, press the rolls against the sides of the springform (about 4 cm (1 ½ in high) and connect it with the bottom part. Use a fork to make holes in the dough/crust. Add the cheese batter to the shortcrust and spread it evenly.

Preparation of shortcrust for White Chocolate Raspberry CheesecakeShaping shortcrust   Filling shortcrust

Baking of the cake:

Preheat oven to 180°C – 350°F and bake the cake on the middle rack for 60-70 minutes. Then, turn the heat off, open the door, and leave the cake for about 1 hour in the oven before taking it out.

Open the pan ring and let the cake cool down before placing it on a plate. Then, decorate the top of the cake with the saved raspberries and white chocolate.

   Baked White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake   Decorating of White Chocolate Raspberry CheesecakeServing Cake

Place the cake in the refrigerator and let it sit overnight but at least 6 hours before serving. To make Oma’s Swabian Apple Cake click here, Fanta Lemonade Cake Recipe click here, and Traditional German Cheesecake Recipe click here.

 

 

 

Swabian Apple Cake - Authentic German Recipe

Swabian Apple Cake

Swabian Apple Cake – Authentic German Recipe

The Swabian Apple Cake consists of a shortcrust filled with apples and a cheese mixture decorated with powdered sugar.

Ingredients for the shortcrust:

  • 200 g (7.05 oz) of all-purpose flour
  • 1 pinch of baking powder
  • 50 g (1.76 oz) of sugar
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 egg L
  • 110 g (3.9 oz) of butter

Ingredients for the filling:

  • 800 g (1.76 lbs) of apples
  • juice of one lemon
  • 250 g (8.8 oz) Quark OR Greek yoghurt OR sour cream
  • 200 g (7.05 oz) Mascarpone OR Crème fraîche
  • 75 g (2.65 oz) of sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla pudding powder OR corn starch OR Gustin
  • 2 Eggs L
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
  • 200 ml (6.76 oz) of whipping cream

Preparation of the Swabian Apple Cake:

Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Make a hole in the center to place the egg. Cover the egg with the dry ingredients and spread the butter on top. Knead until all ingredients are combined and form a smooth dough. Wrap the dough in a cellophane wrap and place it for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator. If the dough is sticky, add some more flour; if it is too dry, add some butter.

Before peeling the apples, cut them into quarters and take the core out. Next, cut the apples into 2 cm (about 1 inch) pieces, spread the lemon juice over them, and place aside.

Dough for Swabian Apple Cake                     Apples for Swabian Apple Cake   

Add the quark (yogurt), Mascarpone, sugar, vanilla pudding powder (corn starch, Gustin), Eggs, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Mix with a handheld electric mixer until smooth. Slowly add the liquid whipping cream while constantly stirring.

Cheese mixture for apple cake                     Filling for cake

Finishing the Cake:

Cover the springform on the bottom and sides with baking paper and fold it every few inches on the sides (I used a spring pan 26 cm). Use a bit more than the half of the dough and roll it on the bottom of the springform. Divide the rest of the dough in half for the outer crust. Form two rolls and place them around the inside of the pan. With your fingers, press the rolls against the sides of the springform (about 4 cm (1 ½ in high) and connect it with the bottom part. Use a fork to make holes in the dough/crust and set aside.

Add the apples to the pan and pour the cheesecake mixture over the apples.

Shortcrust for Swabian apple cake   Apple Filling for cake   Baking Swabian Apple Cake

Preheat the oven to 180°C – 355°F. Place the cake onto one rack below the middle rack and bake for 45 – 50 minutes. After baking, open the oven door and leave the cake for 1 hour. Let the cake completely cool down in the baking pan before moving it to a plate.

You might also like Oma’s Dresdner Eierschecke Recipe, Traditional Blueberry Cake Recipe, or the traditional German cheesecake.

 

Serving Cake

 

Rüdesheimer Kaffee

Rüdesheimer Kaffee Recipe

Rüdesheimer Kaffee Recipe

The Rüdesheimer Kaffee consists of sugar cubes, Asbach Uralt, a brandy, coffee, and whipped cream with sprinkled chocolate. The name of Asbach for the brandy goes back to the founder of the company established in Rüdesheim, Hugo Asbach.

Ingredients:

  • 3 sugar cubes
  • 4-6 ml of Asbach Uralt (if you cannot find Asbach, any other brandy works too). The amount of brandy depends on how strong you would like to have it.
  • 1 cup of coffee
  • 2 tsp. of whipped cream
  • some grated chocolate

Preparation:

Place the sugar cubes in a tall coffee cup. Warm the brandy either in the microwave or in a bain-marie and pour it over the sugar cubes. Use a long match to light the sugar cubes and brandy mix, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Pour the hot coffee over the sugared Asbach. Add the whipped cream and shave or grind the chocolate over the top.

The town of Rüdesheim is on the river Rhein and is also known for its famous street Drosselgasse with many restaurants and outdoor cafes offering regional wine.

If you want to try the Glühwein – Mulled Wine recipe click here and for the Mai Wine Punch click here.

 

 

Traditional Frankfurter Kranz

Traditional Frankfurter Kranz Recipe

Traditional Frankfurter Kranz Recipe – A classic buttercream filled cake with krokant sprinkles

This Traditional Frankfurter Kranz Recipe is a classic amongst the German buttercream cakes. The recipe which originated in Frankfurt am Main, Germany became famous all over the world.  Making a Frankfurter Kranz requires some work, but is worth the effort. This cake tastes better if prepared the day before serving and can also be frozen. 

Ingredients for batter of Traditional Frankfurter Kranz Recipe:

  • 200 g (7.05 oz) of soft butter
  • 250 g (8.81 oz) of sugar
  • 1 pouch of vanilla sugar OR 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 6 eggs, XL
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of rum OR lemon juice
  • 300 g (10.58 oz) of all purpose flour
  • 100 g (3.52 oz) of Gustin OR corn starch
  • 1 pouch of baking powder OR 3 teaspoons of baking powder

Preparation of the cake:

Use an electric hand mixer and mix soft butter with sugar, vanilla flavoring, and salt. Add one egg at a time to mix. Then, add lemon or rum. In a separate container, add Dr. Oetker Gustin or cornstarch and baking powder to the flour. Mix it and sift it over the butter mixture. Stir until the batter is smooth. Pour the batter into a buttered baking pan for Frankfurter Kranz or in a coffee cake pan 10 inches or 11 inches in diameter with a center tube.

Batter Frankfurter Kranz Recipe   img_8022   Baking Traditional Frankfurter Kranz Recipe

Preheat the oven to 175°C – 185°C (350°F – 365°F). Place the cake on the middle rack and let it bake for about 35 – 45 minutes.

Take the cake out of the oven and place it upside down on a cooling rack to let it cool down. Mark the center of the cake with toothpicks before cutting the cake twice horizontally.

img_8064                     img_8066

Ingredients for the butter cream filling, topping and decoration:

  • 1 ½ pouches of Dr. Oetker Vanilla Pudding OR Jello-O (3 oz – 85 g)  vanilla cook & serve pudding & pie filling
  • 150 g (5.29 oz) of sugar
  • 750 ml (25.36 oz) of milk
  • 300 g (10.58 oz) of soft butter
  • 200 g – 300 g (7.05 oz – 10.58 oz) of red current jam OR raspberry jam 
  • 12-16 candied cherries
  • 150 g-200 g (5.29 oz – 7.05 oz) of hazelnut cracknel OR chocolate sprinkles OR homemade hazelnut OR almond cracknel follow instructions below:

Preparation of the buttercream for the Traditional Frankfurter Kranz Recipe:

Mix the pudding powder with some of the cold milk to dissolve it. Bring to boil with the rest of the milk and the sugar while stirring with a whisk. Take the pan off the heat and empty the pudding into a bowl right away, cover it with cellophane. (Wet one side of the cellophane wrap with water and cover the pudding with the wet side down. This will prevent a “skin” on top of the pudding from developing).  Let the pudding cool down — but do not place it in the fridge.

img_5674                     img_5678

Beat the soft butter with an electric hand mixer. While beating, add one tablespoon of pudding at a time. Continue until all the pudding is mixed into the butter and the consistency of your buttercream is light and fluffy. Fill about six tablespoons of butter cream in a decorating bag with a tip and set aside. You will need this to decorate the top of the cake later.

Note: If the buttercream coagulates (which may happen if the butter and pudding are too cold or the pudding and butter have different temperatures) just put the buttercream in a bowl and place the bowl in the microwave for a few seconds and mix it again.

img_8069   img_8078   Buttercream Traditional Frankfurter Kranz Recipe

Ingredients for the homemade cracknel:

  • 200 g (7.05 oz) of chopped or sliced peeled almonds OR hazelnuts
  • 100 g (3.52 oz) of sugar
  • 100 ml (3.38 oz) of water

Preparation of the homemade cracknel for the Traditional Frankfurter Kranz Recipe:

Fill the water in a skillet. Add the sugar and bring to a boil. When the sugar is dissolved and the water is clear again, add the almonds. Roast the almonds while constantly stirring from the outside to the center. Roast until all the liquid is gone and the almonds have reached a golden brown color.

Place the almonds on a baking sheet covered with baking paper right away. Use a knife to spread the mixture on the sheet and let it cool down. The mixture will harden. When it has cooled down, break the cracknel (Krokant) into small pieces.

img_7834  img_7842  Preparation homemade cracknel Frankfurter Kranz

Finishing of the Traditional Frankfurter Kranz:

Place the first layer of the cake on a rotating cake stand to decorate. Pass the jam through a sieve and spread the jam on top of the bottom layer. Spread a layer of butter cream on top of the jam using a spatula. Place the second cake layer on top of the buttercream and make sure it lines up with the toothpicks. Spread jam and buttercream onto the second layer. Place the third layer of cake onto the second layer of buttercream. Line up with the toothpicks. Remove the toothpicks.

img_8084   img_8088   Filling Traditional Frankfurter Kranz Recipe

Spread the buttercream on the cake using the back of an angled icing spatula. Start with the sides of the inner ring and then do the sides of the outer ring, before decorating the top of the cake with buttercream. Sprinkle the cracknel or chocolate sprinkles, first on the inside, then on the outside and finally on the top. Using a cake lifter, carefully move the cake to the serving plate. Use the buttercream from the decorating bag and decorate the top reflecting 12 or 16 pieces. Finally place the cherries on top of the buttercream.

img_8097   img_8098   Decoration Traditional Frankfurter Kranz Recipe, Authentic German Recipes

The Frankfurter Kranz may be a nice addition to your Traditional Thanksgiving Celebration or for your German American Thanksgiving Celebration. To try the Traditional Black Forest Cake click here or the Classic German Cream Puffs Recipe click here.

 

Traditional Black Forest Cake, Authentic German Recipes

Traditional Black Forest Cake

Traditional Black Forest Cake – Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

The Traditional Black Forest Cake is called Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in Germany.

Ingredients for Shortcrust Pastry for Traditional Black Forest Cake:

  • 150 g (5.3 oz) of flour, all-purpose 
  • 1 tablespoon of cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder 
  • 75 g (2.64 oz) of sugar
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 pouch of German vanilla sugar OR 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 100 g (3.5 oz) of butter, soft 

Preparation of the Shortcrust Pastry:

Mix the flour, cocoa, and baking powder and sift into a bowl. Add sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt and mix again. Spread the soft butter on top and knead with your hands until the shortcrust is smooth. Cut a circle of baking paper to cover the bottom of a springform. Form the shortcrust into a ball and place it in the springform (pan size 10″ or 11″).  Spread the crust evenly on the bottom of the form using a pastry roller. Make small holes in the crust with a fork. 

IMG_7531                     IMG_7532

Preheat the oven to 185° C (365°F). Place the cake on the middle rack and bake for about 15 minutes. Open the springform and let the cake cool down in the form before you take the ring of the springform off.

Ingredients for Sponge Cake:

  • 4 eggs, XL
  • 2 tablespoons of water, hot 
  • 100 g (3.5 oz) of sugar
  • 1 pouch of German vanilla sugar OR 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 75 g (2.64 oz) of flour, all-purpose 
  • 50 g (1.76 oz) of cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon of cocoa
  • ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 1½ teaspoons of baking powder

Preparation of the Sponge Cake:

Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites using an egg separator. Mix the egg yolks with the hot water until it’s creamy. Add sugar, your vanilla flavoring of choice and mix until smooth. Beat the egg whites with a handheld mixer until stiff and place the beaten egg whites on top of the egg yolks. Combine the flour, cornstarch, cocoa, cinnamon, and baking powder and sift over the eggs. Using a pastry blender or a large whisk, slowly fold the beaten egg whites and the flour mixture into the batter. Work in circles from the outside in. Do not beat or stir. Pour the batter in a buttered springform, the same size as the one used for the shortcrust cake.  

Sponge Cake Black Forest Cake Recipe

Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and place your cake on the middle rack. Bake for approximately 25 minutes. Once the cake is done, take your cake out of the pan immediately and let it cool down on a cooling rack.

Ingredients for Cherry Filling:

  • 750 g (26.45 oz) of pitted sour cherries OR 1 can/jar of Bing cherries
  • 75 g (2.64 oz) of sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons of cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons of Cherry Brandy (Kirschwasser)

Preparation of the Cherry Filling:

Pour the cherries in a colander and save the juice from the can in a saucepan underneath. Take 4-6 tablespoons of juice and keep it in a separate cup on the side. Add sugar in the rest of the juice and bring it to a boil. Next, take the saved fruit juice and add the cornstarch. Mix it into the boiling juice to thicken. Add cherry brandy and remove from the stovetop. Before you add the cherries to the juice, set aside 12-16 cherries for decorating the top of the cake or use Maraschino Cherries for the decoration. Let the cherry mixture cool down. 

Ingredients for Decoration of the Traditional Black Forest Cake:

  • 944 ml (32 oz) of heavy whipping cream
  • 4 pouches of “Whip it” whipping cream stabilizer
  • 1 pouch of German vanilla sugar OR 1  teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar
  • 125 g (4.4 oz) dark chocolate OR chocolate sprinkles

Beat the whipping cream and add powdered sugar and “Whip it” to stabilize the cream. 

Finishing of the Traditional Black Forest Cake:

Place your shortcrust cake on a plate or on a rotating cake stand. Use half of the cherry filling and spread it on the cake. Use about ⅓ of the whipped cream and spread it on the top of the cherry filling.

IMG_7545                     IMG_7551

Cut the sponge cake horizontally in half. I usually start by making a small initial cut all around the side of the cake with a knife. After that, I use a thread and place it in the notch around the cake. Cross the thread and pull on both sides until the cake is sliced evenly in half. 

IMG_7539                     Sponge for traditional Black Forest Cake

Place one-half of the sponge cake on top of the filled shortcrust cake. Spread the rest of the cherry filling on the sponge and ⅓ of the whipped cream before you place the second half of the sponge cake on top. Spread the rest of the whipped cream on the sides and finally on the top of the cake. Keep some whipped cream on the side for finishing off the top with a decorating tip.

Sprinkle the grated chocolate or the chocolate sprinkles on the sides. Mark the cake on the top to get even slices. You can use either a knife or a cake marker, which is available for 10, 12, 14, or 16 slices to press lines on the top. Use a cake lifter to place the cake on the serving plate before finishing the decorations on top. Place the Black Forest Cake in the freezer for about 10 minutes to harden.

Decorating of the Black Forest Cake

Use a decorating tip to finish the top of the cake with the rest of the whipped cream and the cherries you set aside or Maraschino cherries to your likings. You can easily prepare the cake ahead of time and store it in the freezer. To try the Danube Wave Cake Recipe click here, the German Chocolate Log Cake click here, and the Dresdner Eierschecke click here.

Traditional Black Forest Cake   Black Forest Cake Heart Shape   Serving Cake

 

German Goulash Recipe, Authentic German Recipes

German Goulash Recipe

German Goulash Recipe

German Goulash Recipe. Goulash prepared with beef is called Rindergulasch in Germany. A traditional Old Time favorite dish.

Ingredients for German Goulash Recipe:

  • 1500 g (3.25 lbs) of beef bottom round roast OR cut goulasch
  • 500 g (17.5 oz) of sliced onions
  • 60 g (2.10 oz) of sliced carrots
  • ½ of diced red bell pepper
  • ½ of diced green bell pepper
  • ½ of diced yellow bell pepper
  • ½ – ¾ of fresh diced chili pepper
  • 3 cloves of diced garlic 
  • 1 diced tomato
  • 1 tablespoon of sour cream
  • 2–3 tablespoons of Cognac OR Wine
  • 3 tablespoons of sunflower oil
  • salt
  • paprika
  • ground cloves
  • 1 l (1.05 qt) of water
  • 1–2 tablespoons of potato starch OR corn starch

Preparation of German Goulash:

If you are using a roast, cut the meat into your desired cube sizes. Heat up the oil in a saucepan and brown the beef. Add in the onions. When the onions are transparent, add the garlic and then the chili pepper. Stir well. Now add in the diced bell peppers, tomatoes and carrots. Stir again until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed together.

Add the water and about one level teaspoon of salt, a pinch of paprika, and the ground cloves. Cover the saucepan.

IMG_9443  IMG_9452  IMG_9460

Bring the goulash to a boil, turn the heat down to medium low and let it simmer for about 1 hour 45 minutes. Check on your goulash regularly while simmering. If necessary, add water to ensure the meat is covered with liquid.

The cooking time may differ, depending on the type of meat used. After 1.5 hours, use a fork to test the meat. If the meat sticks to the fork, it needs additional cooking time.  If the meat is loose and falls off the fork, your goulash is ready.

Once done cooking, add the sour cream and cognac to the goulash. Dissolve the cornstarch in about 4–5 tablespoons of water. Add the starch to the goulash to thicken the sauce to your liking. 

Make a complete meal by serving your German goulash beef stew with Oma’s Homemade Spaetzle and Boston Salad with Oma Mutti Dressing. Enjoy! To try Oma’s Noodle Casserole Recipe click here

German Goulash Beef Stew

(PHOTO: My three-year old granddaughter standing on a chair to help me prepare this meal for her Papa. She did a great job!)

Homemade Quark Recipe

Homemade Quark Recipe

Homemade Quark Recipe – So easy to make

There are different ways of preparing Homemade Quark. I tried several variations using different  ingredients, but below is the recipe I like best. Quark has a great flavor and consistency. This Homemade Quark Recipe is prepared with milk and buttermilk. It makes about 400g – 450g (14.1oz – 15.87oz) of quark.

Ingredients for Homemade Quark Recipe:

  • 1 l (1.05 qt) of whole milk
  • 500 ml (16.9 oz) of buttermilk (I prefer the whole milk buttermilk, but the low fat buttermilk works too)

Preparation of Quark:

Use a Pyrex dish with a glass lid. Pour in the whole milk and mix in the buttermilk. Cover with the lid and let it stand for about two days at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 35°C – 100°F.

Take the lid off the glass dish and place the mixture on the lowest rack of your oven for about two hours. Take it out of the oven. Place a sieve on a bowl large enough for the milk mixture. Line the sieve with a cheesecloth or a kitchen towel (which I prefer) and pour the milk mixture into the sieve (see picture). 

If your oven temperature does not go as low as 35°C – 100°F, place the glass dish with the milk mixture for about two hours in warm water. Use a thermometer to check the temperature. When the water cools down, fill it up with more warm water until the water has reached the recommended temperature again. Sieve the mixture as described above.

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Lift the corners of the cheesecloth or kitchen towel and twist them until you have kind of a sack. Make sure not to press too hard because the quark will come through. Let the quark drain until it has reached the consistency you like (2-3 hours). If the quark is too dry, add some of the whey back into it. If it is too wet, let it drain a little longer. You can also add some whipping cream to the finished quark. Your quark is ready to be chilled in the refrigerator.

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You can serve the quark in the morning for breakfast. Spread it on your toast and top with your favorite marmalade or jam or add some fruits to it. Add chives and salt to serve it with boiled potatoes. Quark is also great to use it in cheesecakes or Oma’s Vanilla Cheese Pudding dessert.

Homemade quark recipe