Oma's Best German Cakes ~ Kuchen & Torten

➤ by Gerhild Fulson

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Old-fashioned German cakes. Wonderful easy versions of traditional cakes such as the famous Black Forest Cake. That's what you'll find here.

Some of the cakes are just like Oma used to make. Others have been changed to make them easier and quicker versions of traditional cakes for you to impress family and friends with scrumptious German food.

NOTE: If you're not looking for traditional German cakes, but rather a non-German dessert called German Chocolate Cake with the famous coconut pecan filling and the sides of the cake covered in a rich chocolate buttercream frosting, there's a recipe for that too! Though it is not German, it is among my best cake recipes; I even offer tips on how to make this classic cake more German without detracting from the star of the show - the coconut pecan frosting.

Embark on your own baking adventure with Oma, learning her tips and tricks along the way! These eye-catching cakes are so simple to make though some require time, the extra work makes them extra delicious!

Take a moment and look at the dozens of cakes shown here. Then decide which order you plan to try them! Wunderbar! Kaffeeklatsch with fresh baked treats! Let's get baking!

Some of my Favorite German Cake Recipes ...

The German Blitz Torte below is a delicious example of one of the best cake recipes that you can whip together quickly using ingredients you probably already have on hand. Special for holidays and easy enough for a family dinner. YUMMY!

And then there's the Frankfurter Kranz Cake. It was a new cake for me, since I didn't grow up with this, but was a request to add to this site. After experimenting, I've come up with a fairly easy version. So delicious! It's gotten rave reviews from all who've tried it.

Another is the Hazelnut Torte that's also so simple to make. I just rolled out purchased marzipan to cover the cake and decorated with whipped cream and almonds.

It even surprised me how simple it was and how beautiful it looked. My Mutti used to make this Hazelnut Torte all the time. It was her specialty.

Often she just served the Hazelnut cake plain, without the marzipan, and just dusted it with icing sugar. It still tasted good, but, in my opinion, the marzipan was the crowning touch!

German Cake Recipes really are the BEST!

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Lydia Remembers...

I have so many wunderbar memories in the kitchen with my Oma, and have had MANY of her most popular and traditional recipes, like these cakes here!

Where do I even start with Oma's cakes...They're the BEST!

Over the years we have made a countless number of cakes and tortes together. Going to Oma's for my birthday sleepovers and making fancy German cakes is one of my most cherished memories.

From rolls to cakes, tortes, cheesecakes, you name it, we've made it! 

I have learned so many different baking strategies from my Oma, and lots of little hacks that can make even the toughest cake recipes as easy as ever. 

I remember making this extravagant looking chocolate torte together for my 14th birthday. It was one of my proudest kitchen moments for sure! Take my word for it...there were NO leftovers it was that lecker!

I never thought I would be so into baking until I started making these gorgeous pieces of art in Oma's kitchen. Now I find myself using her cake recipes all the time, even altering some to my own style. 

Since there are so many recipes to choose from, here are some of my very favorite cake recipes that Oma has taught me! :

• German Black Forest Cake (My Dad's favorite!)
• No-bake Cheesecake (So versatile and simple!)
• Chocolate Cream Torte (My proud creation above.)
• Cream Rolls (Refreshing and fun!)
• Fruit Flan (A true versatile masterpiece.)

Oma's German cake recipes are something to be recognized! Not only are they traditional but they are absolutely stunning and scrumptious. Plus, with Oma's easy to follow steps and hints, you'll be a pro in no time! She is an amazing teacher, take it from me! :) 

Learn a little bit about me, Lydia, and my kitchen adventures with Oma!

Oma's Easiest Cake

I LOVE my easy Black Forest Cherry Cake. You can make it look "real" with just a bit extra time, some freshly whipped cream, and a pastry bag.

In fact, my 7-year old granddaughter, Lydia, helped make it as a birthday cake for her older sister, Alana.  

It may not taste exactly like the one made from scratch, but it's a 'cake hack' that is so quick and easy to make. :)

Above is the traditional German Black Forest Cake ... yes, I've added nuts to the outside ... because ... well .... I love nuts! And ... I think it looks so pretty this way.

I LOVE quick and easy, but sometimes, more traditional cakes are just what is craved. Check out the following. It's a mix of quick, easy, traditional, authentic, German, yummy, lecker schmecker and wunderbar!

German Cakes with Fruit

These German cakes with fruit are all wunderbar! If you love cake and you love fruit, get your cake pans out and get ready to bake!

German Tortes

German tortes are so pretty and perfect for any special occasion. Present any of these tortes on a beautiful serving plate and wow your guests.

Featured among these tortes is the Black Forest Cake, the most famous of all German cakes. I've come up with a quick and easy version that's almost as good as the traditional one!

Also featured is one the best chocolate cakes ever, the delectable Chocolate Cream Torte. The chocolate flavor is so good and not too sweet. Serve it for company and the entire cake is sure to disappear!

German Cakes made with Yeast

These traditional cakes may take a long time to make (waiting for the dough to rise), but they sure are worth it. These cakes are best served at room temperature, so keep in an airtight container on the counter.

German Cheesecakes

Quick and easy German cheesecakes? Yes, please! German cheesecakes are typically made with Quark, which is hard to find outside of Germany. I show you what to use instead of Quark, or, if you prefer, how to make your own.

German Coffee Cakes

These cakes do not contain coffee, but they are perfect for coffee time, aka Kaffeeklatsch.

If you are learning to bake German cakes for the first time, this may be the best place to start because these are some of the easiest cakes to make. So pick a recipe, get your dry ingredients together, as well as the wet ingredients, and get ready to bake something amazing!

German Christmas Cakes

'Tis the season for traditional German Christmas baking. The aromas of these cakes while you bake will bring back memories of your Oma's kitchen for sure!

Vegan Cakes

These delicious and easy cake recipes are egg and dairy-free. Perfect to bake for your vegan friends and family. Or enjoy them all to yourself.

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Non German Cakes

These cakes may not be German, but they are quick, easy, and delicious! Most popular among these cakes is my easy German Chocolate Cake recipe best known for its German Chocolate Cake frosting: coconut-pecan frosting. And for good reason - it is a most delicious cake!

Fun fact: German Chocolate Cake is not of German origin, but it is made with Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate (created by Samuel German, an employee of Baker's Chocolate Company), hence the name. The actual cake is quite sweet, so if you prefer something less sweet, substitute the cake recipe for the Chocolate Cream Torte instead.

German Chocolate Cake usually consists of two or three cake layers filled and topped with a coconut-pecan filling. This filling is a custard made with egg yolks, evaporated milk, granulated or brown sugar, and butter cooked over medium heat; the coconut and pecans are then added in. The cake and the filling must be at room temperature before frosting.

The outside of the cake, although sometimes left bare, is covered with a rich chocolate buttercream frosting. I chose a Chocolate Cream Mousse instead since it is just as rich, but less sweet.

The cake is finished off with decorative piping around the German chocolate frosting on top of the cake. This may be the only German Chocolate Cake recipe you'll ever need. ;)

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Miscellaneous Cakes

More easy and delicious cakes for your baking pleasure.

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