Oma's Himmel und Erde: Apples and Potatoes

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares easy, authentic German recipes you can trust, rooted in family tradition and featured in her cookbooks.

Jump to recipe ⇣

Himmel und Erde, aka Heaven and Earth, combining apples and potatoes. DELICIOUS and SO German!

Himmel und Erde (Heaven and Earth) is one of those wonderful German traditional recipes that goes so well as a main dish or a side. This is a mixture of mashed potatoes (from earth) and apples (from heaven). 

Often this is served with sausage or pork, but goes well with almost anything, even by itself because the flavors blend together unusually well.

Himmel und Erde is usually covered with caramelized or crispy fried onions. Not only does it look great, but it tastes scrumptious.

From Oma's heart to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

"Heaven and Earth" is one of those comfort foods. Even though I haven't made baby food for years, I can imagine this would be a favourite - minus the onions of course! And what child doesn't love mashed potatoes or applesauce?

Now, I have to admit my children missed out on this. This is something my Mutti never made and therefore I didn't know about it until I came across it in a German magazine. It sounded a bit strange, but I gave it a try nevertheless. Yummy!

Ready to make Himmel und Erde?

Print Recipe

Oma's Himmel und Erde: Apples and Potatoes

Himmel und Erde (Heaven and Earth) is a mixture of mashed potatoes (from earth) and apples (from heaven). 

Often this is served with sausage or pork, but it goes well with almost anything, even by itself because the flavors blend together unusually well.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings:

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound starchy potatoes
• 1 pound cooking apples
• 2 tablespoons butter
• nutmeg, salt, pepper to season
• 1 - 2 onions, sliced
• butter

Instructions:

1. Peel and cube potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Peel and thickly slice apples.
2. Cook potatoes and apples in boiling salted water until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain.
3. Mash until smooth and creamy, adding butter. Season with salt, nutmeg, and pepper.
4. Meanwhile, fry onion slices in about 2 tablespoons butter (or oil) until crispy.
5. Serve onions on top of mashed mixture either as a main or side dish for sausages or other meats.

*  *  *  *  *

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

Join Oma's Kaffeeklatsch

Come for coffee & cake (virtually!), & you’ll discover new things about German food, recipes, & all things German.

 

Get my “Top 10 Favorite German Recipes” ebook & more … all delivered free right to your inbox from me, Oma Gerhild 🥰

 

Email address

First name

CLICK TO JOIN NOW

Thanks for joining!

Keep your eyes on your inbox for my email. 

---

Follow Oma on Social Media:

instagramyoutubefacebookpinterest

Comments?  Questions?

You can leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question...

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

Meet with us around Oma's virtual table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Recent Articles

• 
• 

1. Pfanne hash?

   Aug 13, 25 11:36 AM

   Dear Oma, Your recent email about breakfast and the word “pfanne” made me wonder if you could help me solve the mystery of how

   Read More

2. Scrambled eggs

   Jul 26, 25 08:43 AM

   I always put a pinch (1/8-1/4 tsp) of baking powder in my scrambled eggs. I use a hand mixer to whip the eggs and baking powder together. I pour them

   Read More

3. German Vegetable Frittata Recipe – Oma's Gemüsefrittata Rezept.

   Jul 24, 25 02:47 PM

   
   A frittata recipe that’s quick and easy, with a German twist. Try this when you need a special supper!

   Read More

Let's connect...

From Oma's heart
to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

More about me >

Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.