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    Home » Desserts

    Rote Grütze (German Red Berry Pudding)

    Published: Jun 3, 2021 · Modified: Apr 4, 2025 by Marita Sinden · 13 Comments

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    Rote Grütze is probably one of the easiest German dessert recipes. Refreshing, fruity and so versatile. You can whip up this German red berry pudding in around 15 minutes using fresh or frozen berries. It is a hit with adults and children alike.

    In this post I will show you how to make Rote Grütze, we will learn about its origins and I will show you all the wonderful thing you can enjoy it with.

    Rote Gruetze with Vanilla Sauce in the Background a bowl of berries

    What is Rote Grütze? 

    Rote Grütze is a North-German and Danish red berry pudding. The name is derived from its red colouring. “Rot” is the word for “Red” in German. “Grütze” is “Groats” in English and refers to the starchy ingredient in the pudding. 

    Rote Grütze in English is translates as “Red Berry Pudding” or “Red Berry Jelly”. 

    Traditionally only red berries were used for this dessert – typically red currants and raspberries. Nowadays strawberries and also blueberries and blackberries are added.

    You can find variations of this recipe called “Blaue Grütze” (Blue Berry Pudding) made with Blackberries and Blueberries and “Gelbe Grütze” (Yellow Berry Pudding) made from peaches, gooseberries or yellow plums. 

    This dish is traditionally eaten in the summer – once the first strawberries ripen the Rote Grütze season starts. Since the emergence of convenient frozen berries, this dessert is eaten all year round in Germany.

    Rote Grütze in a little bowl. A saucier is pouring some vanilla sauce on it
    Rote Grütze with Homemade German Vanilla Sauce

    Rote Grütze History

    The exact origins of this dish are unclear. North Germany and Denmark claim it as their own. In Denmark it is called “Rødgrød”. In Sweden this dish is also very popular and is called “Saftkräm”. 

    It is assumed that it evolved slowly from at first a savoury wheat porridge to the sweet pudding it is today. 

    How to make Rote Grütze

    About this Rote Grütze Recipe (Bremer Rote Grütze)

    I have lived in Bremen since 2019. This recipe is a regional variation. Bremer Rote Grütze, is made with red berries but also uses sour cherries.

    From my time living in the UK I know that a jar of sour cherries/morello cherries are not always easy to get hold of in the UK or the US. I have catered for this in the recipe, and you can make this Rote Grütze Recipe with and without cherries.

    Ingredients

    • 500 g / 17.5 oz mixed berries. fresh or frozen (for example, raspberries, red currants, red berries, strawberries) 
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract (affiliate link) 
    • 30 gr/ 1 oz cornflour/ cornstarch
    • 3 tablespoon sugar
    • 300 ml/ 10 fl oz water 
    • 1 jar (680 g / 23 oz ) sour cherry morello cherries. (optional)

    Recipe Steps:

    1. If you are using fresh berries, start by washing them, removing their stems and halving the strawberries. 
    2. Divide the berries (fresh or frozen) into two separate portions, 300 gr/ 10.5 oz and 200 g/ 7 oz. 
    3. If you are using the sour cherries, sieve the cherries and catch up the juice in a glass. 
    4. In a separate bowl, add 3 tablespoon of cherry juice or water to the cornflour/ starch and mix until you achieve a thick paste without any lumps. 
    Recipe Steps for Rote Gruetze 
4. Mix starch with cherry juice 
5. Cook the berries in water 
6 Puree the berries 
7. Thicken with cornstarch
    1. Place the portion of 300 gr/ 10.5 oz berries, sugar and vanilla extract (affiliate link) into a saucepan. Add the water/or remaining cherry juice and bring to boil until the fruit starts to fall apart. (This should take approximately 5 minutes). 
    2. Remove the red berries from the heat and puree with a blender or an immersion stick. 
    3. Place the saucepan back onto the stove. Stir the cornflour/ starch mixture a final time before pouring it into the red berry mix. Bring to a boil while stirring continuously. Simmer on low heat for around 5 minutes – the mixture should have thickened by now. Add the remaining berries (and cherries) to the mixture. 
    4. Leave to cool down to room temperature.  Place into the fridge for a further 2 hours before serving.

    Recipe variations

    • Instead of using vanilla extract (affiliate link) and cornflour/ starch, you can use a packet of German Vanilla Pudding Powder or one portion of homemade Vanilla Pudding powder. 
    • You can replace the water and cherry juice with 300 ml/ 10 fl oz of red fruit juice of your choice. 
    • Instead of using vanilla flavouring, you could add a cinnamon stick (affiliate link) or some lemon peel to the red berries when boiling.
    • You can also omit the cornflour/ starch by thickening the dessert with tapioca pearls or little potato starch grains instead.

    Troubleshooting

    My Rote Grütze dessert is still too liquidly?

    Try removing some of the juice. Then mixing in a further tablespoon of cornflour/ starch to the pudding and bring back to boil. 

    My Rote Grütze is too solid. 

    Add a little more water or fruit juice to the berry mix until you achieve the desired consistency. 

    How to serve Rote Grütze? 

    You can serve this mixed berry pudding hot or cold. Traditionally you would serve it cold.

    Rote Grütze has a slightly sweet and sour taste to it. It pairs well with a lot of dishes. Traditionally it is served either with vanilla sauce, vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. However, there are many other variations you can try. I have tried to give you some suggestions below.

    Rote Grütze on top of plain yoghurt in a mason jar
    Rote Grütze with Yoghurt

    Serve Rote Grütze...

    • ...with homemade Vanilla Sauce or Custard 
    • on some German Pancakes (Pfannkuchen) or some German Waffles 
    • with Vanilla Ice Cream or German Vanilla Pudding 
    • with Whipped Cream 
    • pour it over a German Cheesecake
    • serve with plain yoghurt. 
    • With Milchreis (German rice pudding) 
    • With Griesbrei (German semolina pudding)

    Storage Instructions

    How to store in the fridge

    Store this pudding fruit dessert in an airtight container in the fridge. Consume within 5 days.

    Can I freeze Rote Grütze? 

    This red berry dessert is perfect for freezing. Defrost at room temperature. It may change consistency, so you can just bring it back to a boil before serving. 

    Recipe

    Rote Grütze in a bowl with a blue Rim

    Rote Grütze (German Red Berry Pudding)

    Marita
    Rote Grütze is a North-German and Danish mixed red berry dessert. A traditional summer dessert made with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and currents.
    4.69 from 16 votes
    I look forward to your feedback. Just click the stars above.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Resting Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine German
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 104 kcal

    Equipment

    • hand blender/ immersion stick blender

    Ingredients
      

    • 500 g mixed berries 17.5 oz fresh or frozen (for example, raspberries, red currants, red berries, strawberries) 
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 30 g cornflour/ cornstarch 1 oz
    • 3 tablespoon sugar
    • 300 ml water 10 fl oz
    • 1 jar  sour cherry morello cherries  (680 g / 23 oz ) OPTIONAL

    To serve

    • 1 portion  homemade German Vanilla Sauce optional
    • Vanilla Ice cream optional
    • whipped cream optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • If you are using fresh berries, start by washing them, removing their stems and halving the strawberries. 
    • Divide the berries (fresh or frozen) into two separate portions, 300 gr/ 10.5 oz and 200 g/ 7 oz.
    • If you are using the sour cherries, sieve the cherries and catch up the juice in a glass. 
    • In a separate bowl, add 3 tablespoon of cherry juice or water to the cornflour/ starch and mix until you achieve a thick paste without any lumps. 
    • Place the portion of 300 gr/ 10.5 oz berries, sugar and vanilla extract (affiliate link) into a saucepan. Add the water/or remaining cherry juice and bring to boil until the fruit starts to fall apart. (This should take approximately 5 minutes). 
    • Remove the red berries from the heat and puree with a blender or an immersion stick. 
    • Place the saucepan back onto the stove. Stir the cornflour/ starch mixture a final time before pouring it into the red berry mix. Bring to a boil while stirring continuously. Simmer on low heat for around 5 minutes – the mixture should have thickened by now. Add the remaining berries (and cherries) to the mixture. 
    • Leave to cool down to room temperature.  Place into the fridge for a further 2 hours before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 104kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 3gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 58IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword german summer dessert, red berry dessert, red berry pudding
    Did you make this recipe? I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Please leave a quick Comment and star rating. I appreciate your feedback.

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    Comments

      4.69 from 16 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rosemary says

      December 30, 2024 at 10:07 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great version with the sour cherries. Ideal for a summer Christmas in New Zealand to spread over pavlova [ a traditional egg white/meringue base here topped with whipped cream and usually slices of fresh fruit]. Looked festive with extra fresh cherries on top, tasted fantastic and easy to make in the cool of the morning before the traditional Christmas Day hot humidity set in. Fröhliche Weihnachten aus Neuseeland!

      Reply
      • Marita Sinden says

        December 31, 2024 at 8:12 am

        Hi Rosemary! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. Fröhliche Weihnachten to you too!

        Reply
    2. Choclette says

      June 08, 2021 at 4:30 pm

      5 stars
      Ooh this sounds delicious. Love simple recipes like this. It’s like a sort of fruit custard.

      Reply
      • Marita says

        June 09, 2021 at 9:22 am

        Hi Choclette, I never thought of that but you might be right 🙂

        Reply
    3. Lesley says

      June 08, 2021 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      I love summer berries and this is lovely recipe, perfectly simple for mid week when you want something quick and tasty.

      Reply
      • Marita says

        June 09, 2021 at 9:22 am

        Thank you lesley

        Reply
    4. Kalin says

      June 07, 2021 at 7:59 pm

      This sounds delicious! And that German vanilla sauce looks incredible on top!

      Reply
      • Marita says

        June 07, 2021 at 8:53 pm

        Thanks Kalin, I hope you get to try it soon.

        Reply
    5. Gregory Halpen says

      June 07, 2021 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      Oh this looks so good! I love fresh cherry pudding. And the tart cherries make it so yummy!

      Reply
      • Marita says

        June 07, 2021 at 7:08 pm

        Thank you Greg

        Reply
    6. Jeannie says

      June 07, 2021 at 4:08 pm

      5 stars
      I love how easy to make this pudding and I can keep and enjoy with anything!

      Reply
    7. Giangi says

      June 07, 2021 at 3:59 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      WOW!!! I am salivating! That looks amazing and so simple to make. Cannot wait to prepare it for my family.
      Thank you for sharing

      Reply
      • Marita says

        June 07, 2021 at 3:00 pm

        Yes it is very simple to make. Hope your family likes it

        Reply

    Hi, I'm Marita

    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. Here at My Dinner, you will find traditional and authentic German recipes with cultural backgrounds.

    More about me>

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