Crispy, golden pastry wrapped around spiced apples. Sponge cake layered with cherries and whipped cream. Warm honey-glazed cakes offer sweetness in every bite. These traditional German desserts reflect centuries of home baking, where careful technique and time-honored recipes are passed from one generation to the next.

To celebrate the richness of Germany’s baking traditions, we collected our best German dessert recipes. We included classic options like apfelkuchen (apple strudel), bee sting cake and black forest cake, along with German-inspired creations like sauerkraut chocolate cake. Some of the desserts can be made anytime, whereas others add old-world flavors to seasonal baking. Pfeffernuesse cookies and chocolate lebkuchen are a great choice during Christmas. Or look to raspberry custard kuchen and apple Bavarian torte to add a fruit-forward touch to warm-weather gatherings like Easter or summer brunch.

Most of our recipes are simple to prepare and use accessible ingredients, making them well-suited for beginner bakers. Instead of making Zimtsterne (cinnamon cookies) the traditional way with ground almonds, we include all-purpose flour to help the dough come together. And we offer an easier way of making strudel dough, typically stretched thin by hand, by rolling it out on parchment paper to prevent tearing.

So, whether you’re baking for a holiday table or just looking to try German sweets, this lineup brings variety and approachable methods to your kitchen.

Taste of Home