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? ›

Black Forest Cake is perhaps Germany's most well-known and most-loved cake. It consists of a chocolate cake with a filling of fresh cream and cherries soaked in Kirschwasser—a clear cherry schnapps—and decorated with cream, chocolate shavings, and cherries.

What is the king's cake in Germany? ›

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

How to make Mary Berry's fruit cake? ›

Put the flour, grated nutmeg, mixed spice, butter, sugar, eggs, chopped almonds, black treacle and the citrus zest into a large bowl and beat well to mix thoroughly. Fold in the soaked fruits. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and spread out evenly with the back of a spoon.

What is New Orleans king cake made of? ›

Typically, king cake is made of a rich, brioche dough and a wide array of fillings, such as cinnamon, chocolate, and cream cheese. But the rainbow magic is found in the glaze and sprinkles, which are usually gold, green, and purple. Even the colors of the icing (and royal colors of Mardi Gras) have a deeper meaning.

What is the most loved cake in the world? ›

Chocolate Cake

You've guessed it right! Chocoholics' favorite dense and moist chocolate cake ranks top of the list. Glazing the cake with a thick chocolate ganache is one of the most popular ways to enjoy this dessert!

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 is the most famous king cake? ›

A classic king cake if there ever was one, Randazzo is a favorite among purists, and for good reason—the family has been making this beloved recipe since 1965. Their hand-braided, cinnamon-infused cake is covered in "Randazzo" icing and topped with the traditional tri-colored sprinkles.

What does it mean if you find the baby in a king cake? ›

When a king cake is served at a Mardi Gras celebration, everyone wants to know who was served the slice with the king cake baby—but what does it mean if you find one? Tradition dictates that finding the baby in your cake symbolizes luck and prosperity. As such, the finder becomes the “king” or “queen” of the evening.

Is king cake a Catholic thing? ›

The history of the king cake came from European and Roman Catholic roots, which made its way into the New Orleans area in the 1870s. In contrast to the French king cakes, which are a flaky puff pastry, the New Orleans style is similar to the Spanish tradition, which is oval-shaped and topped with icing.

Why is my homemade fruit cake dry? ›

Now my cake is too dry

Maybe you've over baked it, or didn't use enough liquid/ not enough eggs, if the recipe says use large eggs and you haven't got large, use an extra egg, size matters! Using too much raising agents will also make for a dry cake.

Do you grease a pan for fruitcake? ›

Grease and line pans with brown paper, waxed paper, or parchment. Grease again. Cut paper about 1 inch taller than pans. Fill pans a little over half full with batter.

Why do fruit cakes crack when baking? ›

In an oven that's too hot, the outside of the cake cooks at a much faster rate than the inside. A crust forms early on, but as the inside of the cake continues to cook and rise, this crack crusts.

What is a VooDoo king cake? ›

Our VooDoo King Cake is a Bavarian-cream-filled brioche topped with chocolate ganache, pecans and shredded coconut. It's one of our signature cakes and a highlight of Mardi Gras season.

What is a Royal king cake? ›

The king cake is a mixture of a French pastry and a coffee cake. Its oval shape and festive colors give it a unique appeal. The original version features the royal colors of gold, purple, and green. Gold represents power, purple represents justice, and green signifies faith.

What does krewe stand for? ›

A krewe (pronounced "crew") is a social organization that stages parades and/or balls for the Carnival season.

What kind of cake do they eat in Germany? ›

Some of the most popular German cakes are: Black Forest Cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) - This cake is made with layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and cherries, and is flavored with kirsch (cherry brandy). It has a rich, chocolatey flavor with a hint of cherry and a creamy texture.

What is the famous dish of German bakery? ›

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.

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