Are you craving a warm, comforting dessert that's both easy to make and incredibly delicious? Then look no further than this German Streusel Kuchen recipe! This classic German cake features a buttery, crumbly streusel topping and a tender, moist base. Perfect for a cozy night in, a weekend bake, or even a special occasion, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite. It's one of those easy recipes that delivers big on flavor, making it a go-to for quick dinner ideas or simply satisfying a sweet tooth.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Making the Cake Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry ingredient mixture is the foundation of your cake's texture.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This incorporates air for a lighter cake.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
Preparing the Streusel Topping:
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and cinnamon for the streusel.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Cold butter is key for a crumbly streusel.
Baking the Kuchen:
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it – ovens vary!
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving. This allows the cake to set properly and prevents it from crumbling.
Tips for the Best Streusel Kuchen:
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake.
- Use cold butter for the streusel topping for a truly crumbly texture.
- For a richer flavor, use brown sugar in the streusel topping.
- Feel free to add other spices to the streusel, such as nutmeg or cardamom.
Variations:
- Add fruit: Incorporate fresh or frozen berries into the cake batter for a delicious fruity twist.
- Chocolate Streusel: Add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the streusel topping for a decadent chocolate streusel kuchen.
- Lemon Streusel: Add the zest of one lemon to the cake batter and a tablespoon of lemon juice for a zesty variation.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Around 300-350 Fat: Around 15-20g Carbohydrates: Around 40-45g Protein: Around 4-5g
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)
This German Streusel Kuchen recipe is a fantastic example of homemade cooking at its finest. It's a delicious dish that’s easy to make, perfect for those seeking healthy meals without sacrificing flavor. Enjoy this simple yet satisfying cake!