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.

Why is fruitcake so hard? ›

The fruit in a fruitcake is often dried instead of fresh, which reduces moisture and creates this dessert's notoriously dry texture.

What is the king's cake in Germany? ›

Dreikönigskuchen aka. Three King's Cake is a traditional yeast cake from southern Germany and Switzerland. At home at Lake Constance, you bake this cake for January 6th – the day of the Three Wise Kings.

Where did the traditional fruit cake come from? ›

History. The earliest recipe from ancient Rome lists pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, and raisins that were mixed into barley mash. In the Middle Ages, honey, spices, and preserved fruits were added. Fruitcakes soon proliferated all over Europe.

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.

Why is my fruitcake falling apart? ›

A cake can crumble for a variety of reasons: overmixed batter, too much flour, not enough sugar or not enough shortening. When you bake your cake, make sure you use the flour your recipes calls for, preheat your oven and bake the cake at the correct temperature.

What two ingredients help fruitcake last longer? ›

The trifecta of sugar, low moisture ingredients and some high-proof spirits make fruitcakes some of the longest-lasting foods in the world.

Why do you soak fruitcake in alcohol? ›

There are a lot of benefits to feeding a fruitcake. It will help keep your cake moist (especially if you are storing it for a while) as well as give it extra flavour – and, if you're a little heavy-handed, it will also develop that characteristic boozy kick.

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

Remember, finding the baby inside the king cake not only makes you a “king,” but it also comes with some responsibilities. If you are so fortunate to find the baby in your slice of cake, you will be responsible for hosting the next Mardi Gras celebration and providing the next king cake!

What do Germans call cake? ›

Learn the origins of this traditional German dessert and how to make it! Kuchen (pronounced “koo-ken”) is the German word for “cake,” but a real kuchen is so much more than that!

What does the baby mean in a king cake? ›

The plastic baby symbolizes the infant Jesus because of the religious connection to King's Day. Tradition dictates that finding the baby in your cake piece symbolizes luck and prosperity, and the finder becomes the “king” or “queen” of the evening. The person who hosts the Mardi Gras party buys or makes the king cake.

Does fruitcake go bad? ›

How to Store Fruitcake Without Alcohol? Fruitcake without alcohol won't last as long, however, its shelf life can still be maximized through proper storage techniques. Our fruitcake can last up to one month on your countertop, four months in the fridge, and six months in the freezer.

What does fruitcake mean in slang? ›

If you refer to someone as a fruitcake, you mean that they are crazy or that their behavior is very strange. [informal, disapproval]

How old is the oldest fruitcake? ›

The fruitcake in question was baked in Tec*mseh, MI by the loving matriarch of the Ford family, Fidelia, back in 1878. Fidelia made it an annual tradition to bake a fruitcake ahead of the holidays, however, she preferred to let the cake age for a year before serving it at family gatherings.

What is the German cake called? ›

Baumkuchen is a traditional German cake. It is baked on a stick, layer by layer, while turning. Baking on a spit over open fire is an ancient method of cooking bread.

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 German bakery famous for? ›

11 things you're sure to find in a German bakery
  • Brötchen (bread rolls) ...
  • Brezel (soft pretzel) ...
  • Vollkornbrot (whole grain bread) ...
  • Milchbrötchen (milk roll) ...
  • Croissant. ...
  • Käsekuchen (cheese cake) ...
  • Mohnkuchen (poppy seed cake) ...
  • Bienenstich (bee sting)

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.

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