Wondering what the best German desserts are? There are so many great options! From Black Forest Cake, to Linzer Cookies, and more! Here are 35+ of the BEST German dessert recipes to try!

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German desserts are known for their rich flavors, decadent textures, and beautiful presentation. From classic favorites like Black Forest Cake and Apfelstrudel to more unique creations like Rote Grütze and Baumkuchen. There are so many flavors to experiment with!

Whether you’re hosting a German-themed party or simply looking for a delicious way to end your meal, why not add on one of these amazing desserts? Your dinner party guests will be super impressed.

PS – Be sure to check out these 40+ authentic German recipes too!

The BEST German Desserts to Try!

Overhead close up of linzer cookie dusted with powdered sugar and filled with strawberry jam.

Linzer Augen: These "Linzer eyes" cookies are made with a shortbread dough and a filling of jam. They're often decorated with a cross-shaped lattice pattern.

Linzer Cookies

If you’re looking for a unique cake that is as good as it looks, bake this authentic black forest cake. It’s the perfect holiday dessert!

Black Forest Cake

These Black Forest Cupcakes are chocolate cupcakes filled with syrupy cherries, and topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Black Forest Cupcakes

If you're in the mood for homemade apple strudel but can't muster the patience to make the dough yourself: try this easy apple strudel using phyllo pastry!

Apple Strudel

Bee sting cake is made of two layers of soft yeast bread filled with vanilla pastry cream and topped with a layer of crunchy honey almonds.

German Bee Sting Cake

Linzer torte, is a shortcrust torte filled with jam, traditionally topped with a lattice pattern, and is the perfect holiday treat!

Linzer Torte

This German Chocolate Cake recipe has a rich, moist chocolate cake layered with homemade coconut pecan frosting that is buttery, gooey, and bursting with amazing texture from the coconut and pecans.

German Chocolate Cake

Stollen balls have all the flavors of a classic German Christmas Stollen, with dried fruit and rolled in powdered sugar, but in cookie form!

Stollen Balls

This is the best stollen recipe! A professional pastry chef gives step-by-step instructions for a stollen bread that is moist and flavorful.

Authentic Stollen Bread

Vegan Nussecken – this vegan version of the classic German treat are easy to make and perfect for Christmas.

Nussecken (German Nut Corners)

This quick and easy homemade marzipan recipe contains 3 ingredients. The recipe is vegan (no raw eggs), refined sugar-free & keto-friendly!

Homemade Marzipan Recipe

Imagine cinnamon rolls and croissants had a baby! That is German cinnamon rolls aka Franzbrötchen – Learn how to make them from scratch.

German Cinnamon Rolls

These Bavarian cream donuts are made with a soft and fluffy donut dough, rolled with sugar, and filled with decadent vanilla pastry cream.

Bavarian Cream Donuts

A red berry compote made from a mixture of red berries and cherry juice, Rote Grütze is one of the most popular parts of many German desserts.

Rote Grütze

Are you craving a taste of sweet, soul-satisfying tradition? Look no further! Our authentic Kaiserschmarrn (torn pancakes) recipe not only promises an irresistible treat but also transports you to the cozy ambiance of a mountain cabin.

Kaiserschmarrn

These traditional German Christmas biscuits made from ground almonds (almond meal), egg whites and cinnamon are light with a slightly chewy centre and crunchy edges, topped with a meringue icing.

Authentic Zimtsterne

Get ready for a classic treat that's stood the test of time: my take on the beloved "Donauwelle," complete with a luscious pudding buttercream. It's a timeless masterpiece that has earned its place in the hearts of dessert enthusiasts everywhere.

Donauwelle

It’s an absolute classic bake here in Germany: Käsesahnetorte aka. German Quark Cream Cake with Mandarin Oranges. So good!

Classic German Quark Cream Cake

A German classic: German Poppy Seed Crumble Cake. A soft cake bottom with a dense layer of poppy seed filling and buttery crumbles on top.

German Poppy Seed Crumble Cake

Enjoy this amazing Berliner Recipe! These fluffy German-style doughnuts come with a scrumptious jelly filling in the center.

German Jelly Doughnuts

There is nothing better than German Apple Pancakes on a Sunday morning! Traditional German pancakes with apple slices made vegan.

German Apple Pancakes

This authentic soft-baked Sweet Pretzel Recipe is a fun homemade appetizer, dessert, or snack! Sweet, buttery and entirely vegan.

Sweet Pretzels

Classic German Butterkuchen is fluffy, sweet, and delicious! It’s a simple yeasted cake topped with blocks of butter and sprinkled with sugar!

German Butter Cake

Pfeffernusse cookies are a traditional Christmas cookie in Germany. Made with molasses, anise, pepper and seasonal spices, these chewy cookies are coated in confectioners’ sugar.

German Pfeffernüsse Cookies

Fritters are like the popcorn of the sweets– small and addictive! Quark gives them a somewhat moist and very light texture. And the cream of the filling, very typical in Germany and used to fill many types of sweets, is also lighter than our traditional pastry cream, being mixed with whipped cream.

Stuffed Quark Fritters (Quarkbällchen)

Baumkuchen is an almond-flavored cake with many paper thin layers. While traditionally made on a spit, home bakers can make it in the oven.

German Tree Cake

Creamy German Cheesecake with Strawberries — What is the main difference between German cheesecake and American cheesecake you may ask? German cheesecake calls for quark cheese instead of only cream cheese and a classic pie crust to keep it all together.

Creamy German Cheesecake

My Spritzgebåck cookies, or German Spritz Cookies recipe, will be the perfect addition to your Christmas cookie tray this holiday season!

Buttery Spritz Cookies

Zupfkuchen is a popular German cake recipe that combines chocolate cake and cheesecake! It's moist, creamy, chocolaty, incredibly delicious, and perfect for birthdays or any other occasion!

Zupfkuchen

Lebkuchen Cookies are a German Christmas baking favorite! These soft, flourless cookies are filled with ground hazelnuts and almonds, candied citrus, and topped with chocolate or sugar glaze. You’ll love them!

German Lebkuchen

German Mennonite Pfeffernusse Cookies, otherwise knows as peppernuts, are a crunchy spiced treat filled with clove, cardamom, and ginger.

Pfeffernusse Cookies (Peppernuts)

Grandma’s German Plum Crumble Cake recipe – It’s a simple vegan pie with a cookie-like crust and delicious crunchy cinnamon streusel!

German Streusel Pie

These little figures made from yeast dough are eaten depending on the region either for St. Nicholas Day or St. Martin's Day. Making these pastries in the shape of a man is a delightful German holiday tradition that's as whimsical as it is delicious.

Stutenkerl

This German Fruit Flan recipe is deliciously light and refreshing with sweet citrus, berries, and kiwi. Guava glaze adds that beautiful sheen!

German Fruit Flan

Kokosmakronen are chewy, moist and delicious. An easy one bowl recipe with only 5 ingredients! Bonus: NO whipping egg whites required!

German Coconut Macaroons

Looking to make delicious German rum balls? Loaded with chocolate and a hint of rum, these tasty holiday treats are simple to whip together!

German Rum Balls

Milchreis (aka German Rice Pudding) – a German comfort food classic! A simple, creamy and delicious stovetop rice pudding recipe.

German Milk Rice Pudding

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these German dessert recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.

More German Recipes to Try

More National Dessert Recipes to Try

Did you Make Any of These Traditional Recipes?

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