Print Recipe ♥ Save Recipe

German Butter Cake using a Bread Machine – Oma's Butterkuchen Rezept

This German butter cake (Butterkuchen/Zuckerkuchen) is a Kaffeeklatsch favorite! Let your bread machine handle the dough, then finish by hand for a deliciously simple treat. Ready to enjoy in no time!

Ingredients:

For The Yeast Dough:

• 2 teaspoons (7 grams) instant yeast
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 2¼ cups (293 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt
• ⅞ cup (210 milliliters) lukewarm milk
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter, softened soft butter

For The Topping:

• 3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter, cold
• ½ cup (50 grams) sliced almonds
• ⅓ cup (67 grams) granulated sugar
• cinnamon (optional)
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) heavy (whipping) cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Put all the yeast dough ingredients into the bread machine pan. Use the dough setting and start. This usually takes about 1½ hours.
2. Grease a rimmed 9x13-inch baking sheet or two 9-inch springform pans.
3. Once the dough cycle is finished, pat the dough onto the baking sheet with oiled hands.
4. Dimple the surface with your finger. Push bits of butter into the indentations. Sprinkle with almonds, sugar, and cinnamon, if using.
5. Cover with a towel and let stand in a warm, draft-free place for 20 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 390°F (190°C).
6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. If using heavy cream, pour it over the cake as soon as you take it out of the oven. Let cool slightly. Best served warm from the oven.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Updated on December 6, 2025