Well, hello there. Have you missed me? I’ve certainly missed you. In the past few weeks, our son has become increasingly more active making it very difficult for me to do anything other than tend to him and the house. That being said, it is less than TWO WEEKS from him starting at the German kindergarten. I am so excited for him (and myself).
So, keeping up with my “Top 5’s”, I thought I bring up my most favorite treat, German pastries. A German bakery has so much to offer in addition to the wonderful fresh-baked bread. If I’m feeling so inclined (and they haven’t run out yet), here are my first picks, in no particular order, for a treat at the bakery.
Enjoy! Yum!
1. Heidelbeer Frischkäse Kuchen
Translation: Blueberry Cream Cheese Cake
We have a small, but really good, bakery in our village that is in addition to the larger one. This one reminds me more of a little cafe and I first tried this cake only a few weeks ago. It is heaven! I’m not really a big fan of cheesecakes (I can hear you gasping at me!), but this is not like what you’d think of when you imagine American cheesecake as far as consistently and flavor. It’s a must try!
2. Quarkbällchen
Translation: Cheese curd balls (Wait! Don’t let that scare you away!)
Quark is cheese curd that is most commonly found in Germany and Eastern European countries. As an American, I had never heard of it prior to ever living in Germany; however it is readily sold in many different types for different uses. These little pieces of awesomeness are like a more fluffy and moist version of an American donut hole. They have a little sugar sprinkled on the outside for a little added sweetness. I’ve also been able to find them with cinnamon which is my personal favorite.
3. Rotweinkuchen
Translation: Red wine cake
For those that know me, I know I’m stumping you with this one, considering it’s chocolate, but I love it! It’s very hard for me to describe, but the red wine gives it a unique flavor. In my opinion, the chocolate has a smoother and less overpowering taste. Sprinkled with a little powdered sugar, this cake is a great treat that is not too rich or too sweet. I’ve also found it to be very moist and I mention this because many German cakes are more on the dry side.
4. Berliner Pfannkuchen (Berliner for short)
Translation: word for word would be Berlin Pancake
Basically, these are the same as American jelly donuts, although they taste much better (in my opinion). They are called different names depending on where you live in Germany; everything from Berliner, Krapfen, Kreppel and I could go on. In Berlin in particular, they are simply called Pfannkuchen, which is typically used throughout Germany for “pancake”. They have different fillings of which raspberry and apricot/peach are my favorites.
5. Amerikaner
Translation: American (that was obvious right?)
Yes, yes, I know these aren’t German, at least according to the ever infamous Wikipedia. Apparently they originated in the United States, which would make sense, and are typically known there as a Black & White Cookie. While the origin may not be German, you can find them quite often at the bakery and they are so good! They are basically a spongy/fluffy shortbread cake that is topped with fondant icing. Whenever I eat one, I’m reminded of the fluffy, iced sugar cookies from home which is why I had to i include them on the list. They are a little treat I can have in my new home, that is part of my other home. Love.
So, that’s another list of “Fives” from me, but what about you? What are your favorite pastries where you live? I’d love to know!
These all sound lovely, I’m especially fascinated by the Rotweinkutchen…
It is divine! I have some recipes on my Pinterest but I haven’t made one yet.
I have missed your posts! And this is a good one. I really like Quarkbällchen too! In our area we call the Berliner Krapfen and they are definitely up there at the top of my list, number 2 to be exact! I really liked Amerikaner when we were here years ago, now they are not my favorite but the name is pretty cool :) That cheesecake looks amazing! My personal favorite is plain old boring Streuselkuchen.
Aww thanks! This is why I had to delay our “other thing”. *wink wink* I love streusel and it was on my list until I tried that blueberry cake. Holy yum. They have a hazelnut and a peach one my husband loves. If you ever come my way, I’ll make sure and get you a slice. :-)
They all sound delicious! But I think blueberry would be my favorite :) We might just have to make it over your way one of these days!
I can’t eat any of these :( though I did once successfully make a gluten-free Käsekuchen, which looked disastrous but tasted delicious :) My favourite German cake was always, always a Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte - can’t beat that combination of chocolate, cherries and cream… mmmm.
What? Why? Is it the gluten? My husband loves the Schwarzwälder too. I’m not a huge fan because of the chocolate. :-)
I have a wheat intolerance - thankfully not an allergy, and thankfully not everything containing gluten, just INCREDIBLY ANNOYING! ;)
How did you figure it out? (If not too personal to share)
Haha of course not! Although I’ll not detail my symptoms here ;) My mum and my sister both have the same problem so once I started getting the symptoms it was really straightforward for me to work out what was going on. It drives me mad!
Whilst I’m not a huge sweet eater I do love the occasional speciality krapfen at Fasching time (glad for my waist that they aren’t available year round!). I have always been scared off quarkbällchen, after three years and this post I’m definitely going to have to try some!
Oh they are so good! I was skeptical at first too because of the Quark but it’s not noticeable at all. I think it’s the cause of the moist texture though which I enjoy.
YUM, that cheesecake looks amazing! And I don’t think any cheesecake in the world is like the American ones ;-)
I like the Mandelbrezel (almond pretzels) that some bakers do. And of course the Berliner… my boss always buys “Faschingskrapfen” for the entire office on Shrove Tuesday.
Oh yeah! Mandelbrezel!!! I love those too!! I may have to make another list. ;-)
Cheesecake and jelly donuts are all I need to get by! :-)
Haha! Germany definitely has not helped reduce my sugar intake.
My kinda post, this… ;-)
Mohnschnecken?
I knew you’d like it. ;-) Oh yes, those are good!
That cheesecake looks amazing! I love kleina, the Icelandic version of a doughnut but its not too sweet.
Well, the name is pretty :-)
Yum, yum, yum :) So much to look forward to!
Are you just teasing me again or is it official?
It’s official without actually having lined anything up or decided on a city!
Did I read that right? A cake with chocolate AND red wine? Perfection!
You sure did and it sure is! Yum!
These all looks so good!!! I’d have a very difficult time trying to choose just one… never my strong suit when it comes to pastries!
I have a very difficult time NOT choosing one! ;-) must. Run. Soon.
I am all over #2. Of course Germany had me at beer, so it’s not like a lot of other enticement was necessary.
They are to die for and my husband almost always picks some up for me when he goes to the bakery. He’s so lovely, but he needs to stop! :-) Germany had me at beer, too.
I have never heard of the red wine cake, that sounds really interesting! I know and love the others though. I was thin once… :D
Haha! Oh Emma, you and me both. You should try the red wine cake. I bet yours would turn out so good if you made one.
Oh, this was splendid. That first photo might make it into my dreams tonight, the way the berries and syrup are just dripping down the cake… slurp. And the “donut holes” - I could see myself easily eating fifty of them at a sitting!
I’m curious how these words sound when pronounced. Any chance you might ever do a short video of you speaking German? I know you’re still learning, but I’d just love to know how all those consonants actually emerge from a mouth! :)
The cake is oh so good and I have to tell my husband to only buy 4-5 of the donuts holes so the boy and I share them and it’s not too much because I could seriously eat at least a dozen! They are so good and we all know they donuts seem to never make you feel full.
Haha! I don’t know….I don’t think hearing me would really give you any kind of accurate portrayal. Maybe a short one for the sister wives, of course. And after a few drinks…..
The names are outrageous, but they look to-die for!
Haha! I know! The names don’t do them any justice.
Red wine and chocolate. There can’t be a better combination. I might swing by a German bakery just to try that and the pfankuchen.
In South Africa, we have a pastry called a koeksister - dough that is plaited, deep-fried and immediately dunked into syrup. Crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside. Amazing.
Omg….total foodgasm right there. I love crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside! That sounds amazing…..now I want one.
This post made me so happy! I know all pastries by name and I think I’ve eaten a variation of the Quarkbällchen and the Berliner! The Heidelbeer Frischkäse Kuchen and the Rotweinkuchen sound very interesting. I’m not too fond of cheesecake myself and the one I do eat is made with quark and not with cream cheese.
I haven’t visited Germany in a loooong time and I need to go, so I can taste these goodies in their homeland. ^_^
*waves*
Hi TJ!! *waves* I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Really, how can you go wrong when talking about dessert? :-) And you definitely need to come for a visit, specifically to the Trier area. ;-)
Yum! Great that your son is starting Kita! I am still franticly looking for a spot. So stressful!
Oh no! I’ve heard it’s difficult when you’re in the bigger cities. Hope you find one soon!
Schwarzwälder at any cost, even if I must get it out a puddle of mud first.
Ooh, this was SO good to read!
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it!
Quark = Cottage cheese You don’t get that in the USA?. ja ich spreche Deutsch, and two other languages as well. Contact me anytime should need help with a translation. Although I have found google an awesome translator. Have you tried German “pfeffernus” cookkies?
Hello! Maybe quark is different in other areas but it is not cottage cheese here, at least not the cottage cheese we eat in the USA. Hüttenkäse is more similar in that nature. Thank you for the offer, but my husband is German and for now, is stuck translating until I’m fluent. :-) And yes I have! Yum! There are very few things I don’t like here. Do you live in Germany?
Thanks for stopping by and following!
Hi, nope. I am a German speaking person who lives in Namibia. Have close ties to Germany though. …. Look forward to read you in the future.