Traditional German Desserts You Have to Try
Black Forest Cake is a chocolate and cherry delight that captures the rich flavors of Germany’s Black Forest region. To make it, you’ll need 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, a jar of sour cherries, 1 cup heavy cream, and 2 tablespoons kirsch (cherry liqueur).
Apple Strudel is a classic German dessert that brings together sweet apples and a flaky crust. For the filling, combine 6 cups peeled, sliced apples, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 cup raisins, and 1/4 cup breadcrumbs.
Bavarian Cream is a creamy, custard-like dessert that’s light yet indulgent. You’ll need 1 cup milk, 3 egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup heavy cream, and 1 tablespoon gelatin. Start by heating the milk until warm, then whisk with egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until smooth.
Bee Sting Cake is a soft, yeasted cake with a crunchy almond topping and a creamy filling. For this treat, you’ll need 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup butter, 2 eggs, 1 packet yeast, and sliced almonds with honey for the topping.
German Cheesecake is a unique variation made with quark, giving it a lighter texture than American cheesecakes. Combine 2 cups quark (or ricotta if quark is unavailable), 1 cup sugar, 4 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup flour for the filling.
Vanilla Crescent Cookies are delicate, buttery cookies flavored with vanilla and almonds. To make these, you’ll need 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup ground almonds, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix the flour, almonds, and sugar, then rub in the butter until the dough comes together.