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

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

 

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 Pretzel Buns Recipe

German Pretzel Buns Recipe

German Pretzel Buns Recipe – Laugenstangen

The dough of the German pretzel buns recipe is a little different from the dough of my soft pretzels. Whereas I use water to make the pretzel dough, I use a mixture of milk and water for the buns. The second rising of the pretzel is after the first rising at a warm place, and the dough of the bun dough rises overnight in the refrigerator. 

Ingredients for the German Pretzel Buns Recipe:

  • 500 g (1.1 lbs) of flour, all-purpose
  • 1 pouch of dry yeast, rapid rise
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 1 teaspoons of salt
  • 40 g (1.41 oz) of butter, soft
  • 150 ml (5.07 oz) of water, lukewarm
  • 150 ml (5.07 oz) of milk, lukewarm
  • 1-2 tablespoons of salt, coarse

For the lye:

  • 1 l (1.05 qt) of water
  • 60 g (2.11 oz) of baking soda

Mix the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Cut the butter into slices and spread it on top of the flour. Mix the milk and water and heat up to lukewarm. Add half of the water milk mixture to the flour and start kneading on low, while gradually adding the rest of the liquids. Knead for 8 minutes until the dough loosens from the sides of the bowl.

Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rise for 40 minutes or until it has doubled.

Shaping of the buns:

Take the dough out of the bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface. Cut pieces of 90 g to make the buns. The dough is very tense and quickly dries out. Therefore cover the unused portions with cellophane foil while working on the shaping of the rolls.

Make a ball of each piece and flatten it using the palm of your hand or a rolling pin. Roll the dough tightly about 6 inches in a way that the ends are thinner.

Rolling a ball for the German Pretzel Buns Recipe   Flatten the dough   Making a tide roll

Close the seam with the fingers, turn the roll around and place it on a baking sheet covered with baking paper. Cover the baking sheet with a kitchen towel and let the buns rest overnight in the refrigerator.

Closing the roll of the German Pretzel Buns Recipe   Shaping the buns   Rising of the dough

Preparation of the soda lye:

Use plastic gloves to prepare the lye and to work with the dipped buns. Fill a saucepan with the water, and bring it to a boil. Remove the pan from the stove and slowly and carefully add the baking soda to the water while stirring. The baking soda will bubble, so make sure that your saucepan is high enough. Bring the liquid back to a boil again, turn the heat down and let it simmer. Carefully dip the buns into the lye, leaving them no more than 30 seconds in it. Make sure the pretzels are entirely dipped into the water.  

Remove the pretzels from the soda lye with a skimming ladle and place them on a cooling rack covered with baking paper to let them drip and rise.

Baking of the buns:

In the meantime, preheat the oven to 220°C – 425° F. Transfer the buns on a baking sheet covered with a double layer of baking paper. Make two cuts diagonal into the buns using a sharp knife or a razor blade and brush them with the lye before sprinkling the coarse salt on top. 

Dipping the rolls of the German Pretzel Buns Recipe   Preparation of the buns   Baking of the buns

Bake the pretzel buns for 15-17 minutes using the third rack. Once you take the buns out of the oven, immediately spray them with water for a nice shine and let them cool down on a cooling rack.

You can serve the pretzel buns with Oma’s Obatzda here, a traditional cheese butter spread, or one of the flavored butter spread here.

 

 

German Quark Balls Recipe

German Quark Balls Recipe

German Quark Balls Recipe – Quarkbällchen

The German Quark Balls Recipe looks like doughnuts, but the dough is made with baking powder instead of yeast. The taste is different because of the quark used. The texture is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Originally made with quark, they also can be prepared with drained Greek yogurt or a mixture of mascarpone and sour cream.

Ingredients for the German Quark Balls Recipe:

  • 2 eggs, XL
  • 75 g (2.65 oz) of sugar
  • 1 pouch of vanilla sugar OR 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 250 g (8.81 oz) of Quark OR drained Greek yoghurt OR 125 g (4.4 oz) of mascarpone mixed with 125 g (4.4 oz) of sour cream
  • 200 g (7.05 oz) of flour, all-purpose
  • 50 g (1.76 oz) of corn starch OR potato starch Or Gustin
  • 2 teaspoons of baking powder

For finishing:

  • 500 ml – 1000 ml (1.05 pt – 1.05 qt) of sunflower oil OR vegetable oil (depending on the size of the saucepan)
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to roll the balls OR 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar to sift over the balls

Preparation of the dough:

Mix the eggs, sugar, and vanilla sugar/extract in a mixing bowl and beat with a handheld mixer until creamy. Add the quark or mascarpone/sour cream mix and beat until ingredients are combined. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, starch, and baking powder and slowly add them to the egg mixture while continually stirring. Cover the bowl with a cellophane wrap and let the dough rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

In the meantime, prepare the working space next to the stove. Pour the oil into a saucepan and add a thermometer. Cover a cooling rack with a paper kitchen towel and have a fork and skimmer spoon next to it. Mix the sugar with the cinnamon.

Making batter for German Quark Balls Recipe                    Preparation of work place for German Quark Ball Recipe

Frying of the Quarkbällchen:

Heat up the oil to 170°C – 335°F. Use two tablespoons to shape the dough into balls. Let them slide into the hot oil and deep-fry for 3-5 minutes. Turn them around with a fork. The balls should have the size of a golf ball and float in the oil, not touching each other.

Take the balls out using the skimmer spoon. Place them on the cooling rack covered with the paper kitchen towel to drain the excess oil.

Frying Quarkbällchen   Drying of the fried balls   Sifting powdered sugar over the balls

Roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mix as long as they are warm, or let them cool down to sift powdered sugar on top. To make the German doughnuts click the link here and for the Rosettes, click here.

German Quark Balls Recipe

 

German Kleckselkuchen – Blob Cake Authentic German Recipe

German Kleckselkuchen – Blob Cake

German Kleckselkuchen

The German Kleckselkuchen is a yeast cake with four different toppings. A poppy seed mixture, cheese mixture, and fruit or jam covered with crumbs. The toppings create a patchwork pattern shaped any way you like it.

Ingredients for German Kleckselkuchen:

dough:

  • 500 g (1.1 lbs) of all-purpose flour
  • 1 pouch of dry yeast, rapid rise
  • pinch of salt
  • 275 ml (8.45 oz) of milk, lukewarm
  • 3 ½ tablespoons of sugar
  • 75 g (2.64 oz) of butter, melted
  • 1 egg, XL
  • zest of one lemon

poppy seed mixture:

  • 250 ml (8.45 oz) of milk
  • 100 g (3.52 oz) of poppy seeds, grind
  • 2 tablespoons of semolina (can be substituted with more poppy seeds)
  • 3 ½ tablespoons of sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • zest of ½ lemon

quark mixture:

  • 1 egg, XL
  • 250 g (8.81 oz) of quark OR plain yoghurt drained OR 125 g sour cream mixed with 125 g of mascarpone
  • 2 tablespoons of whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • zest of ½ lemon
  • pinch of salt
  • 3 ½ tablespoons of sugar

crumbs:

  • 200 g (7.05 oz) flour
  • 4 tablespoons of sugar
  • 2 pouches of vanilla sugar OR 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • 125 g (4.4 oz) of butter, soft

250 g (8.81 oz) of plum, cherry or apricot jam mixed with 1 tablespoon of rum

Preparation of the dough for the German Kleckselkuchen:

Mix the dry ingredients and lemon zest in a mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Add the egg to it and cover it with the flour mixture. Warm up the milk, melt the butter, mix and add to the mixing bowl. Knead the ingredients on low for 5-6 minutes until the dough is smooth and not sticking to the bowl’s wall anymore.

Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise for 40 minutes or until doubled.

Preparation of the poppy seeds mixture and cheese mixture:

Prepare the toppings starting with the poppy seed mixture. Grind the poppy seeds in a coffee grinder. Add semolina, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon zest to the milk and bring it to a boil while continually stirring. Let it boil for 3 minutes and turn the heat off. Add the poppy seeds to the milk mixture, place aside and let it stand to cool down. Stir from time to time to avoid the mix to build up the skin.

For the cheese mixture, start separating the egg. Add the egg yolk with the quark, whipping cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and sugar into a bowl and beat until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, add a pinch of salt to the egg white and beat until stiff. Spread it over the quark mixture. Fold the egg white into the quark mix.

grinding poppy seeds for the German Kleckselkuchen   cooking of poppy seeds   Preparation of the cheese mixture for the German Kleckselkuchen

Preparation of the crumbs:

Add the flour, vanilla flavor, sugar, and butter to a bowl and mix using your hands until the ingredients are combined. Rub the mixture between your hands to create the crumbs.

Finishing the German Kleckselkuchen:

Oil the baking sheet to keep the baking paper better in place. Cover the sheet also on the sides with baking paper. Spread the dough onto the baking sheet using a rolling pin and, if necessary, your hands.

Make blobs with the poppy seeds mixture in any way you like. Mix the rum with the jam and add blobs of jam to the dough.

preparation of baking sheed and dough   adding poppy seed mixture to the dough   adding jam to the dough

Spread the cheese mixture in between before adding the crumbs on top.

adding cheese mixture to the dough   Finishing toppings of the German Kleckselkuchen   adding crumbs to the cake

Baking of the Cake:

Preheat the oven to 180°C – 360°F, place the cake on the 4th rack and let it bake for 30-35 minutes.

To make the Rhubarb Cake with a Meringue topping, click here, the German Butter Cake click here, and for the Rehruecken Cake click here.

Serving German Kleckselkuchen

 

 

Simple German Yeast Dough Authentic German Recipe

Simple German Yeast Dough

Simple German Yeast Doug – Nauroder Gänse

This Simple German Yeast Dough is prepared without eggs and butter. I used the dough to make the Nauerder Gins in standard German Nauroder Gänse, meaning geese from the village of Naurod, my birthplace. You can cut the dough in any shape you like.

I do remember the geese in the back of our garden when I grew up. They were very aggressive but for a good reason. We children didn’t leave out a chance to provoke them, which was one of the many courage tests (Mutprobe) at the time for us.

Nauerder Gins, Nauroder Gänse, Geese from Naurod

Ingredients for the Simple German Yeast Dough:

  • 500 g (1.1 lbs) of flour, all-purpose
  • 1 pouch of dry yeast, rapid rise
  • 1 tablespoon of diastatic malt powder, optional (to find at King Arthur or Amazon)
  • 4 tablespoons of sugar
  • 4 tablespoons of sunflower oil
  • 350-400 ml (11.83-13.52 oz) of milk, lukewarm
  • ½ teaspoon of salt

For brushing:

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons of milk

Preparation of the dough:

Add the dry ingredients to the flour in a mixing bowl of a stand mixer and stir. Warm up the milk and add to the bowl before adding the oil. Knead the ingredients for 6 minutes on low until the dough is combined and smooth. Place the dough in a bowl covered with a kitchen towel and let it rise for 40 minutes or until doubled.

kneading of the simple German yeast dough   resting of the dough   rising of the dough

Shaping of the Geese:

Knead the dough again using your hands. Roll the dough on a floured surface about 0.5 cm – 0.19 in thick and cut the geese using the cookie cutter. My goose cutter is 17.5 cm – 6.88 in, I found it on amazon.

Place the geese on a baking sheet covered with baking paper. Mix an egg yolk with the milk and brush the geese with it. Use a raisin for the eyes.

Rolling the dough   cutting of the geese with the simple German yeast dough   prepare the geese for baking

Baking of the Geese:

Knead the dough again using your hands. Roll the dough on a floured surface about 0.5 cm – 0.19 in thick and cut the geese using the cookie cutter. My goose cutter is 17.5 cm – 6.88 in, and I found it on amazon.

Place the geese on a baking sheet covered with baking paper. Mix an egg yolk with the milk and brush the geese with it. Use a raisin for the eyes.

Before preheating the oven to 175°C – 350°F, have a bowl with water on the oven’s bottom. When the oven has reached the temperature, place the sheet on the oven’s 4th rack and bake for 20-22 minutes. Let the geese cool down on a cooling rack.

baking of the geese made with the simple German yeast dough   cooling the baking goods   finished geese

To make the raisin buns click here, the Easter wreath, click here, and for the pretzel buns, click here.

 

German Raisin Bun Recipe

German Raisin Bun Recipe

German Raisin Bun Recipe – Rosinenbrötchen

The German Raisin Bun Recipe makes soft fluffy sweet bread rolls. A rich yeast dough including butter, milk, and raisins. The step-by-step instructions make it easy to prepare the dough.

Ingredients for the German Raisin Bun Recipe:

  • 150 g + 350 g  (5.29 oz + 12.34 oz) of all-purpose flour
  • 5 + 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 250 ml (8.45 oz) of milk, lukewarm
  • 1 pouch of dry yeast, rapid rise
  • 2 tablespoons of diastatic malt powder (optional)
  • 2 pouches of vanilla sugar OR 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 lemon, zest
  • 1 egg, XL
  • 80 g (2.82 oz) of butter, soft
  • 150 g (5.29 oz) of raisins

For Brushing

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon of milk

Preparation of the Buns:

Before making the dough, place the raisins in a bowl and let them soak in hot water.

To make a pre-dough, add 150 g – 5.29 oz of the flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, yeast, and lukewarm milk into a bowl. Stir the ingredients with a whisk to dissolve the flour’s lumps, and the pre-dough is smooth. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rise for 35-40 minutes.

Add 350 g – 12.34 oz flour, 5 tablespoons of sugar, vanilla flavor, lemon zest, salt, diastatic malt powder, egg, and soft butter to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer and add the pre-dough to the mixture. Knead the dough for 6-8 minutes on low.

Preparation for the German Raisin Bun Recipe   Making the dough   Kneading the dough

Finishing the dough:

Roll the dough to a rectangle using a rolling pin, drain the raisins, and spread them onto the dough. Fold the corners of the dough over the raisins to the center. Knead the dough with your hands to work the raisins into the dough. If the dough is too sticky, flour the surface and the hands. The dough does not need to rise again.

Shaping the Buns:

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. I use a kitchen scale. Roll each piece between the hands to a smooth ball and place it on a baking sheet covered with baking paper. Flatten the balls lightly. Cover the buns with a kitchen towel and let them rise for 30 minutes.

Finishing the dough for the German Raisin Bun Recipe   Adding the raisins to the dough and fold  

Mix an egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of milk and brush the buns with it.

Baking of the Buns:

Preheat the oven to 200°C – 390°F. Place the buns on the third rack (middle rack) and let them bake for 18-20 minutes. Let them cool down on a cooling rack.

To make the Sweet Rolls – Buchteln, click here, the German Pretzel Buns, click here, and for the Quick Baguette Rolls, click here.

German Raisin Bun Recipe