Oma's Königskuchen: German King's Cake (Fruit Cake) Recipe (2024)

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Oma's Königskuchen: German King's Cake (Fruit Cake) Recipe (1)

by: Gerhild Fulson / Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

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Königskuchen. One of the most of the traditional holiday baking recipes made in Germany. Translated this means "King's Cake."

This is not the Three Kings' Cake that is served in the southern part of Germany bordering Switzerland, but rather a non-yeast raisin and currant-filled fruit cake baked in its own traditional loaf pan.

Oma's Königskuchen: German King's Cake (Fruit Cake) Recipe (4)

My husband loves this Königskuchen when it's served buttered and covered in black currant jam. Although I usually only make it during the holidays, it's a good cake to serve for a Kaffeeklatsch any time of the year.

This recipe is so traditional, there is even a special baking pan sold for it. I've been fortunate to find one at Winners, here in Canada. You could always order one online, if you really wanted to.

OR, just use two regular loaf pans.

Either way, you'll have a wonderful fruity cake, that's so marvelous to enjoy! Do try it soon!

Königskuchen pans

Oma's Königskuchen: German King's Cake (Fruit Cake) Recipe (5)

I was so happy when I found these two pans the other day. Not that I really NEEDED them. But, I did WANT them!

Now, my Koenigskuchen looks traditional as well!

There's a similar version for this cake that's been sent in by one of our readers. Helen's Königskuchen uses whole wheat flour (see her changes) and a jar of sour cherries.

Ready to make this Königskuchen?

Is the recipe below locked?Here'swhy.

Oma's Königskuchen: German King's Cake (Fruit Cake) Recipe (8)

Oma's Königskuchen: German King's Cake (Fruit Cake) Recipe

One of the most of the traditional holiday baking recipes made in Germany isKönigskuchen, aka "King's Cake." It's a non-yeast raisin and currant-filled fruit cake baked in its own traditional loaf pan.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Bake Time

75 minutes

Total Time

90 minutes

Servings:

Makes 10 - 12 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup + 4 teaspoons (250 grams) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 milliliter) vanilla
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
  • 2¾ cups (358 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup + 3 tablespoons (152 grams) cornstarch
  • 3 teaspoons (12 grams) baking powder
  • ½ cup (120 milliliter) milk
  • 4 tablespoons(60 milliliter) rum
  • ⅓ cup (80 grams) candied peel
  • 1 cup (150 grams) raisins
  • 1 cup (144 grams) dried currants

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)and grease loaf pan (see Hints below)
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
  3. Mix in eggs and salt.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, and baking powder.
  5. Add flour mixture, alternately with milk and rum, to the butter/sugar mixture. Mix well. This is a very heavy, sticky dough.
  6. Mix in (I use a large wooden spoon) the candied peel, raisins, and currants.
  7. Spoon dough into pan(s) and bake for 65 to 75 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
  8. Let cake cool in pan on rack for about 10 to 15 minutes, before turning out onto rack to cool completely.

Notes/Hints:

  • The traditional Königskuchen baking pan is 4.5x3x10-inch or 4.5x3x12-inch. If you use a regular loaf pan, you will probably have enough batter for two.
  • This recipe is an adaption from my Mutti's recipe. My sister, Helen, has her version of the same recipe.
  • For the above recipe and the picture shown above, I used the 12-inch Königskuchen pan and had a bit of dough left over to make some muffins. If I would have had the smaller pan, I would have made two cakes.
  • If you wish, you can omit the candied peel and vary the amount of raisins and currants to your liking.

* * * * *

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

02.16.2021 revision update

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Oma's Königskuchen: German King's Cake (Fruit Cake) Recipe (21)

Königskuchen (German fruit cake) made Just like Oma



By Oma Gerhild Fulson


Oma's Königskuchen: German King's Cake (Fruit Cake) Recipe (22)


Königskuchen is one of the 100's of traditional holiday baking recipes you'll find here. Make it part of your tradition as well. So WUNDERBAR!


Ingredients: butter,sugar,vanilla,eggs,salt,flour,cornstarch,baking powder,milk,rum,candied peel,raisins,dried currants,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Make every day a SUCCESSFUL day!

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

Joshua 1:8 (KJV)

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Oma's Königskuchen: German King's Cake (Fruit Cake) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the most famous German cake? ›

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (known as Black Forest gâteau or Black Forest cake in other parts of the world) is something for which we can never thank the Germans enough.

What is the king's cake in Germany? ›

King cakes across Europe

Switzerland and southern Germany, for example, have dreikönigskuchen. It's a fluffy, brioche-like cake made of separate rolls arranged in the shape of a crown and sometimes adorned with rum-soaked raisins or chocolate chips.

Where did the traditional fruit cake come from? ›

The Roman fruitcake was a mash of barley, honey, wine and dried fruit, often pomegranate seeds. What you might recognize as a modern-style fruitcake – a moist, leavened dessert studded with fruits and nuts – was probably first baked in the early Middle Ages in Europe.

What is Baumkuchen cake? ›

Baumkuchen (German pronunciation: [ˈbaʊ̯mˌkuːxn̩]) is a kind of spit cake from German cuisine. It is also a popular dessert in Japan. The characteristic rings that appear in its slices resemble tree rings, and give the cake its German name, Baumkuchen, which literally translates to "tree cake" or "log cake".

Why is German cake called German? ›

A common misconception is that German Chocolate Cake comes from Germany. In fact, the name comes from American baker, Samuel German, who developed a type of dark baking chocolate in 1852. The baking chocolate was then named Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate in honor of German.

What is the world's most famous cake? ›

The world's most famous cake, the Original Sacher-Torte, is the consequence of several lucky twists of fate. The first was in 1832, when the Austrian State Chancellor, Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, tasked his kitchen staff with concocting an extraordinary dessert to impress his special guests.

What do Germans call cake? ›

Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Kuchen (German pronunciation: [ˈkuːxən]), the German word for cake, is used in other languages as the name for several different types of savory or sweet desserts, pastries, and gateaux.

What is the 3 Kings cake called? ›

A king cake, also known as a three kings cake, is a cake associated in many countries with Epiphany. Its form and ingredients are variable, but in most cases a fève ( lit. 'fava bean') such as a figurine, often said to represent the Christ Child, is hidden inside.

Why is it called Kings cake? ›

The name “king cake” comes from the Biblical story of the three kings who bring gifts to Baby Jesus. A blend of coffee cake and cinnamon roll, king cake is usually iced in yellow, green and purple – the colors of Mardi Gras -- and is frequently packed with fruit fillings and decadent cream cheeses.

What two ingredients help fruitcake last longer? ›

You can either soak cheesecloth in brandy, bourbon, whiskey, rum or other liquor and then wrap it around the cooked, cooled fruitcake before wrapping in plastic wrap and storing, or simply brush the cake with an alcohol of your choice and wrap tightly.

Does fruitcake go bad? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these seemingly indestructible pastries typically stay fresh for six months in the pantry and up to a year when refrigerated. But anecdotally we know that they can last for decades; some of the oldest have been preserved for more than a century.

Why was fruitcake outlawed? ›

Fruitcakes were so rich, they were considered sinful and were outlawed in Europe in the early 18th century. Restrictions eased later in the century.

Why is Baumkuchen so expensive? ›

The high price is mainly due to the way the cake is made – it really is an elaborate craft. This is another reason why Baumkuchen is served as the “king of all cakes” on special occasions such as at Christmas.

What does Baumkuchen mean in English? ›

If you've been to Japan, you may have noticed Baumkuchen everywhere. Perhaps you've tasted one before – simple, yet so delicious! This traditional German confectionery literally means “tree cake”, where its name derives from the layers of concentric rings that make up the dessert, resembling the rings of a tree.

What does Baumkuchen mean in German? ›

There are two possible explanations of the origin of the name “Baumkuchen”, which translates as “tree cake”. One is that the cake is baked on a wooden stick (tree). The second, much more popular explanation, is that if you cut the cake into rings, you can see all the layers, which look like the annual rings of a tree.”

What is a famous German bakery item? ›

German desserts
NameDescription
SpritzkuchenA fried pastry similar to doughnuts
StollenA fruit cake containing dried fruit and often marzipan and covered with sugar, powdered sugar or icing sugar.
StreuselA crumbly topping of flour, butter, and sugar
StreuselkuchenA yeast dough covered with streusel.
57 more rows

What is a rich German cake called? ›

The shortest crossword solution for Rich German cake is 5 letters long and is called TORTE.

What is the famous Dresden cake? ›

The Dresdner Christstollen is a piece of cultural history, a centuries-old baking tradition, a prevailing passion and, above all, a delicious treat. For centuries, Dresden's bakers and pastry makers have kept up this tradition, passing it on from generation to generation.

What is Germany's favorite dessert? ›

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is Germany's most famous dessert. It's also known as Black Forrest Cake. What do German people eat for dessert?

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