The German Kitchen

A second variation of milchreis which is has slightly less fat than Milchreis I.

Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation Time: 45 minutes.
Portions: 3.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/3 cup long white rice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup raisins

Continue reading

This is a great comfort food for breakfast or dessert.  You will find this on German menus quite often, and kids love it. There are many slight variations, but this recipe is a good start.

Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation Time: 45 minutes.
Portions: 4.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup short grain white rice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup cream
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Continue reading

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

Continue reading

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

Continue reading

This is a wonderful garnish for Rote Grütze.

Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation time:  2 hours
Servings: 2-1/4 cups of sauce, 4 – 6 servings.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole milk or half and half
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Continue reading

This is a Summer time staple dessert in Germany, and takes advantage of the fresh berries of the season.  Served with a vanilla sauce, this is a wonderful dessert, and lovely change from the usual.

Difficulty: Easy.
Preparation time:  Make 24 hours in advance.
Servings: 4 – 6.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups fresh or frozen, unsweetened berries (raspberries, strawberries, red currants, or a combination of these)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Continue reading

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

Continue reading