20 Traditional German Cake Recipes

If you ever visit Germany, you’ll find a whole host of magnificent surprises around every corner – beautiful bakes are just one of them!

In our opinion, Germany produces some of the most delightful melt-in-the-mouth bakes you’ll ever eat. 

If you’re ready to pay a food-inspired homage to Germany, treat your taste buds to all things moreish and dive into this mouthwatering selection of 20 traditional German cake recipes. 

1. Blackberry Poppyseed Layer Cake

This fabulous blackberry poppyseed layer cake is one German-inspired bake you NEED to add to your arsenal.

This delightful cake is packed with a whole host of tasty treats, including poppy seeds, mascarpone cream, blackberry basil jam, blackberry liqueur, and much more. 

This dramatic German-inspired layer cake boasts the best flavors of the late summer months and leaves a sweet, but not too sickly, taste in your mouth. 

To create this blackberry poppyseed layer cake, you’ll need three hours from start to finish, and you’ll need to put your multitasking skills to the test. 

2. Black Forest Cake

Did you know that black forest cake is a traditional German dessert? This traditional recipe makes a showstopping black forest cake that can be used for all occasions – a weekend treat, a special birthday, or even a wedding.

Its chocolate sponge base is topped with plenty of whipped cream and cherries to deliver a truly moreish dessert treat. 

Although it’ll only take you an hour and a half to prepare and bake, be prepared to leave your black forest cake to chill for 8 hours – so, if it’s for a special occasion, you’ll need to plan well in advance.

Its flavors may be simple, but the end result is anything but bland! 

3. Bee Sting Cake

No, this doesn’t have the most appealing name, but we can assure you; this traditional Bavarian dessert really packs a punch, and it’ll leave your taste buds tingling for more.

The German bee sting cake is made up of brioche dough, pastry cream, and a delectable honey-almond mixture. It’s truly unique, and we have to say, the brioche is the real winner in this recipe. 

Ready in just over three hours, your bee sting cake is the perfect dessert for almost any occasion, but its flavor profile is perfect for the colder months. If you want to bring a bee-inspired element to the cake, top it with honeycomb to make a statement. 

4. Donauwelle

Donauwelle, also known as the German snow white cake, is one of the most delightful bakes you’ll ever lay your eyes on.

This traditional German and Austrian recipe is another chocolate and cherry-inspired bake, loaded with plenty of buttercream and a unique visual design. 

It may look pretty complex, but don’t be deceived – the Donauwelle is actually pretty simple to make!

This classic German cake will take you just shy of an hour and a half to prep and bake, and it uses just a handful of simple ingredients, like eggs, butter, cherries, cocoa powder, chocolate, salt, and more. 

5. Berliner

Ahh, the Berliner. This yummy bake is often described as a cousin to the doughnut – it’s almost identical, minus the hole!

The Berliner (aka the German doughnut) is a soft, sweet, super sticky doughnut-like bake that can be made in several variations, such as with cream, chocolate, or a traditional jam. 

These delightful sweet treats take just 30 minutes to bake and 8 minutes to cook, making them the perfect cake to whip up for an evening treat. You’ll need just a few basic ingredients, and you’re free to fill your Berliner with whatever you feel like! 

6. Stollen

Stollen is one of the most famous German cake recipes in the world. You’ll usually find this moreish bake in your local grocery store at Christmas time, but if you’re up for the challenge, it tastes even better if it’s homebaked! 

This particular stollen recipe uses all of your favorite stollen flavors, like marzipan, cardamom, candied orange peel, rum, and almonds.

Try this stollen if you want a show-stopping bake for the holiday season. Ready in 3 hours and 40 minutes, your guests will be transfixed but its unforgettable flavors and textures. 

7. Baumkuchen

Next up, we have Baumkuchen. Baumkuchen, also called the German Tree Cake, is one of Germany’s most distinctive bakes – with a unique Japanese influence.

Known for its charming roly-poly design and delicious flavors, Baumkuchen is actually pretty simple to make. If you’re in a rush, this will take you just 40 minutes from start to finish! 

You’ll only need eight ingredients, including milk, butter, flour, sugar, and honey. The end result? A cylinder-shaped core, several delightful rolls, and a melt-in-the-mouth flavor you won’t forget.

8. Erdbeerkuchen

Now, let’s take a look at Erdbeerkuchen – or German strawberry. You only need to take one look at this cake to know it’ll taste delightful! This is another example of a traditional German cake that really knows how to make a statement.

Oozing with mountains of color and flavor, the Erdbeerkuchen is the ideal summertime dessert that the whole family will love. If you want to showcase your fresh strawberries, this is the recipe you need! 

With just a few simple ingredients and an easy-to-follow technique, the Erdbeerkuchen can be ready to serve in just an hour. What’s not to love? 

9. Zwetschgendatschi

Allow us to introduce you to one of our personal favorites – Zwetschgendatschi, or German plum sheet cake.

This traditional Bavarian bake is constructed from short-crust pastry, Italian plums, and a generous serving of whipped cream… just look at that end result! 

This recipe is nothing short of delightful. The Zwetschgendatschi will take you approximately two hours to make, and you’ll only need a few staple ingredients – the main magic is in the plums, cinnamon, and sliced almonds!

This bake feels better suited to the colder months, and it’s best served with a cool (and not dense) side dish, like ice cream or whipped cream. 

10. Marmorkuchen

Marmorkhuchen, or German marble cake, is one of the most beautifully fluffy, light, and moreish cakes you’ll ever lay your eyes on.

The marmorkuchen, which is often likened to a pound cake, is delightfully sweet and fluffy. Novice bakers, don’t be deterred – it’s actually pretty hard to go wrong with this recipe, and it looks more complex than it is! 

Made with a rich batter, chocolate flavoring, and a delicately swirled design, the earlier versions of this cake are a little different from the classic chocolate and vanilla marble cake we know in the west.

However, this recipe stays true to modern convention and delivers a delightful chocolate and vanilla marble cake that’ll melt in your mouth.

This will take you just over an hour to prep and bake, and it’s a stunning (and super tasty) bake for any occasion! 

11. German Sunken Apple Cake

Next up, we have the German sunken apple cake. The German sunken apple cake is a delight to look at (and taste!), and it’s a traditional German recipe that has been a staple for many Germans for years.

As the name suggests, Apples are the hero flavor in this recipe, and they provide a slightly different way to incorporate this much-loved fruit into a cake. 

This traditional tea or coffee break cake takes just an hour to make, and it’s so simple even the most inexperienced bakers can pull it off! Just remember to chop your apple finely and serve it with a generous helping of cream. 

12. Frankfurter Kranz

As the name suggests, the Frankfurter Kranz is a delicacy most commonly found in Frankfurt. However, its popularity has seen this stunning bake spread throughout Germany and beyond, finally getting the love it deserves! 

The frankfurter kranz, sometimes known as the German crown cake, can take as long as 6 hours to make. However, in this recipe, you can do it in just three and a half.

This unique bake boasts a delightful flavor profile, packed with cherries, hazelnuts, red currant jam, lemon, and butter – to name a few! 

This super soft and slightly tart layer cake will take a lot of prep work, but the end result is worth every second. 

13. German Cheesecake

Now, let’s look at another iconic recipe – the german cheesecake. This authentic German cheesecake recipe is one of the easiest recipes out there and using just a few staple ingredients, you can whip this up in an hour and a half. 

Forget everything you know about the traditional cheesecake – this one is lighter and fluffier, and dare we say, even more delicious.

Vanilla sugar and vanilla pudding powder are the secrets to this recipe, and you’ll need to find them in your local international supermarket. 

When you’re ready to go, whip up this classic cheesecake and serve it on any occasion. Your guests won’t be disappointed! 

14. Obsttorte

Now, let’s look at something even more traditional – Obsttorte. Obsttorte, also known as German fruit flan, is a type of fruit tart. If you’re not familiar with it, imagine a classic french tart with a sweet pastry base! 

The obsttorte is an absolutely delightful cake to serve up in the summer months, and it’s one of our favorite traditional German recipes to date.

Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make and will take you under around half an hour, including prep time!

Loaded with the tastiest summer fruits, like strawberries and blueberries, this German fruit flan is a surefire way to wow your guests and give them a dessert to remember. 

15. Bavarian Chocolate Cake Specialty (Prinzregententorte) 

If you haven’t already realized, Bavaria is pretty well known for creating some of the tastiest bakes known to Germany.

Here, we see another traditional Bavarian cake that’s been wowing dessert lovers for generations – the Prinzregententorte. 

The recipe is essentially a layer cake loaded with chocolate – this may sound pretty simple, but it tastes absolutely out of this world.

There’s just something about this recipe that we’re obsessed with – probably its delightfully moist sponge and sweet (but not too filling) flavors.

Loaded with lemon peel, chocolate pudding powder, butter, sugar, and a few other simple ingredients, this recipe knows how to pack a punch, and it can be prepped and ready to serve in just 2 hours! 

16. Gugelhupf

Now it’s time for another truly iconic and traditional recipe – the Gugelhupf. Just take a look at it – we were blown away by its stunning appearance, and (if you can believe it) it tastes even better than it looks! 

The Gugelhupf is made from delightfully soaked sultanas and almonds and topped with a sprinkle of icing sugar and a delightfully tangy taste of lemon.

The gugelhupf is the ideal cake to serve with afternoon tea or even as a fluffy, fruity sweet treat in the evening. This recipe will take you under an hour to prepare and cook, and it serves ten people. 

17. Gentleman’s Cake (Herrentorte)

The herrentorte is one of the most memorable chocolate cakes you’ll ever eat. This German dark chocolate cake is one of the most traditional German cakes on this list, and although it takes a lot of work, it’s well worth it! 

The herrentorte, also known as the gentleman’s cake, is delightfully spongey, and beautifully decorated. In this recipe, your herrentorte is donned with a unique marzipan wine spread and decorated with our all-time favorite – roasted almonds.

Loaded with beautiful layers and decadent flavor, this herrentorte will take approximately an hour and a half to make, and we’re sure you’ll love it! 

18. German Apple Sheet Cake

It’s time for another one of our favorite traditional German cake recipes – the German apple sheet cake. If you love apple recipes as much as us, you’ll love this!

This German apple sheet cake is delightfully easy to make, but it’s SO tasty your guests will be forgiven for thinking you spent hours whipping up a storm in the kitchen. 

This German apple sheet cake is quick, easy, and very hard to go wrong with.

With 20 minutes of prep and just 30 minutes of cooking time, this apple sheet cake is loaded with apples, raisins, lemon zest, and plenty of butter and sugar to deliver a moist and decadent bake. 

19. German Strawberry Roll

It’s time for another favorite – German strawberry roll. If you love creamy and moreish bakes (with a fruit tang), you’ll love this!

This strawberry roll is bursting with cream, cream, and more cream, vanilla flavorings, and plenty of strawberries. Ready in two and a half hours, this recipe will whip up an impressive ten servings and leave you hungry for more… 

20. Red Currant Cake

Last but not least, we have red currant cake. This German red currant cake is SO juicy and refreshing; it’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of for the perfect summertime cake!

Red currants may not be the most popular choice to bake with, but they taste so great you won’t regret it. Ready in just an hour and a half, this red currant cake will make it onto your favorite recipes of all time. 

Final Thoughts 

Germany is home to some of our favorite cakes in the world, and we’re delighted to be able to share a few of our favorites with you.

So get ready to wow your guests or treat yourself to something a little different with these 20 traditional german cake recipes!