11 things you're sure to find in a German bakery – DW – 08/20/2015 (2024)

Forget that low-carb diet. Germany is world-famous not only for its dark bread, but also its baked good. Here are 11 tasty things you'll find in just about any bakery in Germany.

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11 things you're sure to find in a German bakery – DW – 08/20/2015 (1)

Brötchen (bread rolls)

Germans like to add a linguistic diminutive to their favorite things, turning bread (Brot) into rolls with Brötchen. The standard version is plain white, for which some regions have their own word, including Semmeln, Wecken, Schrippen or Rundstück. You can find white rolls with sesame or poppy seeds, as well as an array of whole-grain rolls. Pumpkin seed, rye and spelt are also popular.

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Brezel (soft pretzel)

A man in lederhosen drinks a beer at a blue-and-white checked table. A soft pretzel - sliced horizontally and slathered with butter - will inevitably lie next to the beer in any stereotypical image of Bavaria. The southern specialty, known in the south as Brez'n and elswhere as Brezel, can be found across Germany. Many bakeries take typical pretzel dough and roll it into sticks or rounds instead.

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Vollkornbrot (whole grain bread)

Germans must have good digestion, because they love whole grains and often throw multiple varieties into a single loaf of bread. From pumpernickel to rye and spelt, most loaves on the shelf are dark brown and scream, "I'm healthy!" For good measure, they're often covered with pumpkin, sesame or poppy seeds. Rolls are eaten for breakfast, sliced bread is common with cheese and meat in the evening.

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Milchbrötchen (milk roll)

For kids and those who prefer just a touch of sweetness to their breakfast or snack, most bakeries offer so-called Milkbrötchen - a fluffy white dough prepared with a dash of milk and either raisins or chocolate chips inside. Since it's easy to confuse the two kinds of black spots, ask before odering so you don't expect chocolate and bite into a aged grape instead.

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Croissant

Of course France has the tastier Croissants, but they're a staple of any Sunday brunch in Germany, where they're sometimes referred to as Hörnchen (little horns) because of their shape. Croissants are often enjoyed with jam or Nutella. And, for those who are not watching their waistlines, they sometimes come with a chocoloate filling.

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Käsekuchen (cheese cake)

Cheese cake may also be famous in New York, but it's a standard favorite in German bakeries - albeit with an entirely different recipe. Here, a German dairy product called Quark is used, which is thicker than yogurt but not as thick or sweet as cream cheese. Occasionally raisins are added (beware!), but fruit toppings à la Big Apple are uncommon.

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Mohnkuchen (poppy seed cake)

Germany is crazy about poppy seeds. You'll find the tiny ant-like dots baked into the tops of bread rolls and loaves - but also in cakes. In German-style poppy seed cake, they are not just scattered throughout but added in such large quantities that the dough looks black. Cakes and tortes in Germany are generally eaten during a mid-afternoon coffee break, and not as an after-dinner dessert.

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Bienenstich (bee sting)

No one wants a bee sting - unless of course it's custard-filled almond cake. Here's a tip for eating it: Since the caramelized nuts on the top form a hard surface, it's tricky to stick your fork all the way through. Instead, divide the slice horizontally through the soft vanilla custard and enjoy the two halves separately.

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Berliner (donut)

They're basically a donut without a hole, and according to legend, they were invented in the 18th century by a Berlin baker who got a job in Friedrich the Great's military. Traditionally, Berliners are enjoyed on New Year's Eve and during Carnival - and are known as Krapfen in some regions. The treats are often dusted with powdered sugar and filled with jam, though many variations can be found.

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Puddingbrezel (pudding pretzel)

Soft pretzel are nice with beer, but with coffee order a Puddingbrezel (also known as Puddingteilchen) instead. To make one, twist pastry dough into a pretzel shape, scoop vanilla into the two resulting loops, then add a sugar glaze. You'll need a napkin for this one!

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Streuselkuchen (streusel cake)

The buttery crumbles are so essential to German baking that English just borrowed the word for them. Since most people focus on the streusel, the cake beneath is made from a basic white dough. Bakeries often sell large chunks of Streuselkuchen that can be divided into four slices - if you're in the mood for sharing. Add a cup of coffee in the afternoon and you get a typical German Kaffeekränzchen.

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11 things you're sure to find in a German bakery – DW – 08/20/2015 (2024)

FAQs

11 things you're sure to find in a German bakery – DW – 08/20/2015? ›

Kamps in a Nutshell

With around 350 stores we are Germany's most famous bakery. It is our delicious bakery products for which we are so particularly appreciated. Our success confirms our unique approach: We serve about 5 million satisfied customers every month.

What is German bakery famous for? ›

German bread and baked goods
  • Apfelwein bread. Hesse: Cider Bread ©DZT (Mike Hofstetter)
  • Bavarian Pretzel. Bavaria: Pretzels ©DZT (Mike Hofstetter)
  • Berlin Rye. Berlin: Berlin country bread ©DZT (Mike Hofstetter)
  • Black forest bread. ...
  • Bremen coffee bread. ...
  • Dresden Stollen Cake. ...
  • East frisian black bread. ...
  • Franzbrötchen from Hamburg.

What is the famous bakery chain in Germany? ›

Kamps in a Nutshell

With around 350 stores we are Germany's most famous bakery. It is our delicious bakery products for which we are so particularly appreciated. Our success confirms our unique approach: We serve about 5 million satisfied customers every month.

What is the most popular baked good in Germany? ›

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

Since its first appearance in written form in 1934, it has become a well-known German dessert that is enjoyed throughout the country.

What items are in a bakery? ›

Bakery and baked goods categories like bars, breads (bagels, buns, rolls, biscuits and loaf breads), cookies, desserts (cakes, cheesecakes and pies), muffins, pizza, snack cakes, sweet goods (doughnuts, Danish, sweet rolls, cinnamon rolls and coffee cake) and tortillas.

What is the famous dish of German bakery? ›

Käsekuchen (cheese cake)

Cheese cake may also be famous in New York, but it's a standard favorite in German bakeries - albeit with an entirely different recipe. Here, a German dairy product called Quark is used, which is thicker than yogurt but not as thick or sweet as cream cheese.

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.

What is the number 1 food in Germany? ›

Sauerbraten is regarded as one Germany's national dishes and there are several regional variations in Franconia, Thuringia, Rhineland, Saarland, Silesia and Swabia. This pot roast takes quite a while to prepare, but the results, often served as Sunday family dinner, are truly worth the work.

What is Germany's favorite bread? ›

Rye bread, or Roggenbrot, is a popular and beloved type of bread in Germany, available in various shapes and sizes. While square loaves are commonly found, rye bread can also come in other forms. It is known for its sourdough flavour and dense, moist texture.

What is a must have in a bakery? ›

1. Commercial Oven. Reason: A commercial oven is the heart of any bakery, ensuring that your baked goods are consistently and evenly cooked. With precise temperature control and efficient heat distribution, it's a versatile tool that accommodates various baking needs, from delicate pastries to hearty bread.

What are 4 bakery products? ›

Bakery products, which include bread, rolls, cookies, pies, pastries, and muffins, are usually prepared from flour or meal derived from some form of grain.

What's so special about German bread? ›

One of the defining features of German bread is its incredible diversity. With over 300 varieties of bread and over 1,200 types of rolls and pastries, German bakeries offer an unparalleled selection that caters to every taste and occasion.

Why are German pastries so good? ›

Pastries are bolstered with fresh or dried fruits, poppy seeds, spices, whole nuts, and nut paste. Most treats only nudge the edge of sweetness. Unlike its Austrian or French neighbours, there's nothing delicate about German baking—the üchen and streusel here are hearty, served in thick slices.

What is special about German chocolate cake? ›

Sweet baking chocolate is traditionally used for the cake's flavor, but few recipes call for it today. The filling and/or topping is a custard made with egg yolks and evaporated milk; once the custard is cooked, coconut and pecans are stirred in.

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