17 Classic Desserts That Will Take You Back to Oma’s Kitchen

We’ve put together a collection of delicious authentic German desserts that bring a taste of traditional German baking into your kitchen.

Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet after dinner, want to celebrate the good old German tradition of afternoon “Kaffee und Kuchen” (afternoon coffee and cake), or simply want to surprise your family with a homemade treat, there’s something for everyone.

Each dessert blends familiar ingredients, tweaked to the ingredients commonly found in the US, but still retains the charm of classic German baking.

German Crumb Cake

A slice of German Crumb Cake (Streuselkuchen) is the perfect afternoon snack. The cake has a light, airy texture with just enough sweetness and crunch from the jam, crumble, and almonds!

Get the Recipe: German Crumb Cake

German Butter Cake

Butterkuchen recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Butterkuchen (German butter cake) is a timeless, old-fashioned dessert. This German cake is made with a rich blend of milk, sugar, yeast, eggs, and flour.

Get the Recipe: German Buttercake (Butterkuchen)

German Cherry Crumb Cake – Kirschstreusel

German Cherry Crumb Cake recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This German Cherry Coffee Cake recipe is based on the classic German dessert – Kirschstreusel. It is a moist and tender, easy coffee cake with cherries.

Get the Recipe: Cherry Coffee Cake

German Apple Cake

Our traditional German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen) with streusel topping is a dessert classic you’ll find all over Germany. And you don’t even have to travel further than your kitchen because you can make this delicious dessert at home.

Get the Recipe: German Apple Cake

German Cherry Bundt Cake

This Cherry Pound Cake is simple to make, elegant to serve, and deliciously buttery, moist, and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

Get the Recipe: German Cherry Bundt Cake

Vanillekipferl

Meet your new favorite German Cookies! Vanillekipferl (also known as Almond Crescent Cookies) will simply melt in your mouth.

Get the Recipe: Vanillekipferl

German Strawberry Torte

A slice of strawberry cheesecake on a fork. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Strawberry Torte is a delicious, classic German sponge cake with a creamy pudding layer and topped with glazed strawberries.

Get the Recipe: German Strawberry Torte

Bee Sting Cake

Bee Sting Cake is a tried and true German dessert cake recipe. It’s a light, airy cake with rich vanilla cream filling and crunchy almond topping.

Get the Recipe: Bee Sting Cake

German Spekulatius Cookies

A group of cookies stacked on top of each other. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Speklatius are buttery German shortbread cookies made with gently warming spices. Perfect for snacking during the holidays.

Get the Recipe: German Spekulatius Cookies

Old-Fashioned German Raisin Bread

Irish raisin bread with butter on a white plate. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Indulge in the inviting aroma of homemade Raisin Bread – warm, fluffy, and tender. This treat is easy to make using a few simple ingredients!

Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned German Raisin Bread

German Apple Pancakes (Apfelpfannkuchen)

German Apple Pancake recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This classic German recipe has all the essentials – eggs, milk, flour, apples, and a dash of cinnamon. So get ready for a fantastic meal!

Get the Recipe: Apple Pancakes

German Cheesecake

Our traditional German Cheesecake (Käsekuchen) has a crunchy crust, a rich, creamy filling full of sweet and tangy flavors, and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Get the Recipe: German Cheesecake

Cinnamon Twists (Zimtstangen)

Cinnamon Twists recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

These homemade Cinnamon Twists are sweet, buttery, crunchy, and just incredibly delicious. They will melt in your mouth.

Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Twists

German Lemon Sponge Cake

German Glazed Lemon Sheet Cake recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Light and airy, sweet and moist this lemon-infused and glazed German Sponge Cake is incredibly delicious and also easy to make.

Get the Recipe: German Lemon Sponge Cake

German Mulled Wine Cake – Glühweinkuchen

Mulled Wine Cake recipe by Cheerful Cook. — Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

German Mulled Wine Cake (German: Glühweinkuchen) combines the best flavors of the holiday season in one delicious cake. All the flavors mulled wine flavors, combined with chocolate chips, and a simple red and white glaze. Perfect to celebrate the season.

Get the Recipe: Mulled Wine Cake