15 mouthwatering desserts to eat in Germany (2024)

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Marble cake

A bundt cake that features plain and chocolate pound cake swirled together, marble cake (marmorkuchen) is an ideal afternoon treat that pairs perfectly with coffee.

Schnecken

Named after a snail, schnecken are a morning pastry most comparable to a cinnamon roll. While these also featurecinnamon, unlike their American counterparts they aren't doused in icing; instead they're covered in a light glaze and often topped with raisins.

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Schwarzwälder kirschtorte

Schwarzwälder kirschtorte is one of the most elaborate cakes you'll find in Germany. The name translates to Black Forest (the region the dessert is from) cherry torte, and it features layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and cherries.

Berliner or krapfen

Berliner (also known askrapfen) are pillowy, soft doughnuts filled with fruit jam and dusted with powdered sugar. These are a staple in bakeries across the country.

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Bienenstich

It's no surprise that the name of this cake translates to bee sting, considering it's sosweet. Vanilla custard or buttercream is sandwiched between sweet yeast dough, which is then topped with caramelized almonds, making for a creamy, slightly crunchy bite.

Lebkuchen

If there's one thing you'll find at pretty much every German market, it's lebkuchen, especially around Christmas. The German gingerbread is often found in the shape of a heart, and decorated with cute pet names or words of encouragement. However, lebkuchenalso comes in cookie form, either glazed with sugar or chocolate.

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Apple strudel

The apple strudel you'll find in Germany (apfelstrudel) features a flaky crust, a warm apple filling, and powdered sugar, all of which is bathed in vanilla ice cream or sauce.

Kaiserschmarrn

Popular in both southern Germany and Austria, kaiserschmarrn is caramelized, shredded pancake that's served hot with powdered sugar and fruit compote.

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Vanillekipferl

A popular Christmas cookie, vanillekipferl (vanilla crescents) are made with plenty of vanilla sugar — which is where the cookies get their namefrom — as well as groundwalnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.

Dampfnudel or germknoedel

Germans love dumplings — and not just fordinner. They also eat the doughy treats for dessert. Dampfnudel (or germknoedel as they're known in Austria) are dumplings stuffed with a fruit filling, and topped with poppy seeds, melted butter, sugar, and sometimes vanilla sauce.

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Plum cake

Known as zwetschgenkuchen in German, this fruitdessert is made witha thin, flat dough and topped with pitted plums.

Zimtsterne

Another popular German Christmas cookie, zimtsterne (cinnamon stars) taste faintly like gingerbread, and are made with almonds, cinnamon, ginger, and icing.

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Baumkuchen

Named for its rings, which resemble tree rings, baumkuchen (tree cake) is made by placing thin layers of dough on top of each other on a spit that roasts the cake over a fire. The finished cake is then covered in chocolate.

Spaghetti ice cream

True to its name, spaghetti ice cream (spaghettieis) looks just like a plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce, but it's really vanilla ice cream with fruit sauce.

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Rote grütze

Rote grütze is a berry compote made from red currants and berries such as raspberries and strawberries. It's commonly eaten with vanilla sauce or yogurt.