The German Kitchen

Also called Berliner in Northern Germany, these are tasty jelly-filled doughnuts or rounds, that are not only a staple of Faschings (Carneval), but also Silvester (New Years Eve).  While many Germans will pop into their local bakery for a fresh batch the morning of the festive day, these can also be made by hand within a few hours.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Preparation Time: 2 hours.
Portions: 2.5 dozen.

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 – 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 package fresh yeast
• 1 1/4 cup lukewarm milk
• 3 Tbs. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 1/2 Tbs. butter, softened
• 4 egg yolks (reserve whites, see Step 8 )
• canola oil for frying

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A typical cake served for German coffee time.  It is best to use a special pan, that when flipped, leaves a recess in the cake, much like shortcake cups, but any 11″ pan should work.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Preparation Time: 2 hours.
Portions: 4 – 6. 12 pieces.

Ingredients:

Cake Batter

• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp. warm water
• 6 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tbsp. vanilla sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 7 tbsp. all purpose flour
• 6 tbsp. cornstarch

Topping

• 1 1/2 pint raspberries
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 2 tsp. sugar

Jelly

• 1/2 tsp. gelatin
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. red food coloring

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A yummy, basic, rum cake recipe.  This is especially good as a cold weather dessert. Serve with cherries over the cake for extra yum factor.

Difficulty: easy.
Preparation Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes.
Portions: 6.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound flour (this is about 3 -4 cups, but check the flour weight for best results)
• 3/4 pound butter, softened
• 6 ounces sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup rum

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This is a good, staple recipe for cool weather nights. The potato soup is not the creamy kind, but a thinner broth based soup.  You can add sour cream and hot dogs (Würstchen) to make it a bit heartier. This is also good with Wasa crisp bread on the side.

Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6.

Ingredients:

• 7 – 8 medium potatoes
• 2 onions
• 1/2 liter vegetable broth
• 2 Tbs. butter
• 1/2 liter buttermilk
• salt, to taste
• white pepper, to taste
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 2 tsp. marjoram, flakes
• Optional: parsley to garnish
• Optional: hot dogs, sliced

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Very easy, nice cake recipe to have with coffee or tea. This is best served warm. Simply double to make a larger batch.

Difficulty: moderate
Preparation Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Portions: 6

Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain flour
• 1 oz sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 pack dry yeast
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 oz butter,unsalted
• 1 egg
• 4 oz butter,unsalted
• 1 2/3 oz sugar

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While traditional Baumkuchen would be impossible to create in a home kitchen, it is possible to make a mock version which is almost as good.  This recipe requires some work, but will go well with coffee, especially around the holidays.

Difficulty: normal.
Preparation Time: 45 min.
Portions: 8.

• 7/8 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
• 7/8 cup cornstarch
• 5 1/2 ounces almond paste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 egg yolks
• 6 egg whites
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 9 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
• 2 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil

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