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    Home » Vegetarian

    Easy German Strawberry Cake (Erdbeerkuchen)

    Published: Feb 18, 2021 · Modified: Dec 15, 2021 by Marita · 14 Comments

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    German Strawberry Cake with vanilla Pudding

    This German strawberry cake is perfect to celebrate the strawberry season. A strawberry traybake can be so simple, yet impressive – it is a real crowd-pleaser.  Juicy strawberries are sinking into a creamy vanilla pudding layer that sits on a delicious sponge base. Sold yet?

    Strawberry Cake on a cloth with a bowl of strawberries

    I always loved German fruit cakes, because they tend to be full of freshness but not too sweet. This makes them so refreshing. This simple strawberry traybake recipe is no exception. It is one of the first recipes that springs to my mind when we are getting close to strawberry season in Germany.

    What is Strawberry in German?

    Strawberry in German is “Erdbeere” literally translated as “earth berry”. The term Erdbeerkuchen is strawberry cake in German.

    Strawberries are available to buy in the supermarket all year round in Germany. However, you can taste the difference when buying them out of season, they just don’t have the same sweetness. 

    Strawberry season in Germany starts at the end of May and ends in August. 

    Strawberries are also very easy to grow at home. Depending on which variety you buy, you could harvest your own homegrown strawberries all year long. Check out this post on how to grow strawberries at home.

    Slice of strawberry cake on plate with a fork. Cake is in the background
    How to make German strawberry cake

    About this German Strawberry Cake Recipe

    This is a wonderfully moist German cake recipe that is perfect for hot summer days. Vanilla and strawberries are a wonderful combination of complimenting flavours. The recipe is quite simple, but required a bit of time. It is not a cake where you throw all the ingredients into one bowl. You create each delicious layer individually.

    The term to describe these cakes, which are not made in a round cake form are described as "Blechkuchen" (Traycakes or Traybake).

    Vanilla Pudding in German Baking

    Vanilla pudding is used a lot in German cooking. It can stand as a dessert by itself, and is used to fill pastries and cakes. 

    I have posted in detail how to make German Vanilla Pudding from Scratch. It is not as hard as you think. All you need is milk, sugar, a vanilla pod (or vanilla essence, vanilla sugar), egg yolks and cornstarch.

    In Germany, people use ready-made packs. They are not as easy to find in the UK or US unless you buy it online. (affiliate links) 

    In the UK you can replace these with Angel delight, although I don’t think they have the same vanilla flavour. You can also try the thick creamy custard. However, the homemade vanilla pudding version is so simple you don't really need to look for replacements.

    German Strawberry Cake Ingredients

    German sponge cake base ingredients

    • 250 g (9 oz) butter at room temperature 
    • 200 g (7 oz) sugar
    • 2 teaspoon (1 packet) vanilla sugar (see homemade recipe) or alternatively 1 teaspoon vanilla essence. 
    • 1 pinch of salt
    • 6 medium-sized eggs
    • 100 gr (3.5 gr) whipping cream
    • 250 g (9 oz) flour (Germany type 405, UK plain flour, USA Pastry flour) 
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder (affiliate link)

    Strawberry Vanilla topping ingredients

    • 1 pack Dr Oetker vanilla pudding mix or use one portion of my homemade Pudding recipe
    • 1 kg (35 oz) fresh strawberries 
    • Fresh mint to garnish (optional)

    Recipe Steps

    1. Preheat the oven to 180°C or 356°F
    2. Using a stand or hand mixer, whisk the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the vanilla sugar and salt and continue mixing. 
    3. Now add in the eggs one by one. Pour in the cream. Lastly, sieve in the flour and baking powder (affiliate link). Mix until you achieve a soft fluffy batter. 
    4. Pour or spread the cake into a baking tray (30 x 40 cm / 12 x 17 inches ) . You can also use a larger tray, this will just mean that your base will be thinner.
    5. Bake in the oven for around 30 minutes. To check if the cake is done, stick a skewer in the middle. If it comes out clean, it is done. Leave to cool. 
    6. Prepare the vanilla pudding according to recipe or follow packet instructions. Set aside to cool for at least an hour.
    7. Wash and remove the stems from the strawberries. Quarter or half them as you like. 
    8. With a pallet knife, spread the vanilla pudding over the cake. Now place the strawberries on top. Garnish with some mint leaves (optional). 
    9. Leave to cool until serving. 
    piece of strawberry tray bake on a plate. Cake in the background

    How to serve German Strawberry Cake?

    In Germans, you would typically enjoy this cake for “Kaffee and Kuchen”. (German cake time, which typically takes place in the afternoon.) It is also a great cake to serve at children’s birthday parties or as a light refreshing dessert after a BBQ (Grillfest).

    For the extra treat, why not serve this cake with some freshly made whipped cream? 

    Can I use frozen strawberries for this cake?

    I do not advise you to use frozen fruit for this recipe, fresh will guarantee the wow factor. Frozen strawberries may be too mushy for this cake. However, if you have some frozen strawberries to use up, then I suggest this almond strawberry cake.

    This post was originally published in June 2014 and updated in February 2021.

    If you like this recipe you might enjoy these cake recipes:

    • Blueberry Almond Cake
    • Apple Streusel Cake
    • German Poppyseed Cake
    • Hazelnut Cake
    • German Red Wine Cake
    • Fanta Cake
    German Strawberry cake on a cloth

    German Strawberry Cake (Erdbeerkuchen)

    Marita
    A delicious German tray bake cake made with a sponge base, vanilla pudding topping and fresh strawberries
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Cakes, Dessert
    Cuisine German
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 569 kcal

    Equipment

    • baking tray (form) mine was 40 x 30 cm, (12 x 16 inch)

    Ingredients
      

    German sponge cake base

    • 250 g butter 9 oz, at room temperature
    • 200 g sugar 7 oz
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla sugar (see homemade recipe) 1 packet or alternatively 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
    • 1 pinch salt
    • 6 eggs medium size, at room temperature
    • 100 gr whipping cream 3.5 oz
    • 250 gr flour 9 oz, Germany type 405, UK plain flour, US pastry flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder

    Strawberry & Vanilla Pudding Topping

    • 1 portion Homemade German Vanilla Pudding or 1 packet instant pudding mix.
    • 1 kg fresh strawberries 35 oz
    • fresh mint to garnish optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 180°C  or 356°F
    • Whisk the butter until creamy, using a hand mixer. Slowly start adding sugar, the vanilla sugar and salt.
    • Now add in the eggs one by one. Pour the cream into the mixture. Lastly sieve in the flour and baking powder. Mix until you achieve a soft fluffy batter. 
    • Pour or spread the cake into a greased cake tin. Mine was 30 x 40 cm. (12 inch x 16 inch). You can use a larger tray, which will just mean that your cake base will be thinner.
    • Bake in the oven for around 30 minutes. To check if the cake is done, stick a skewer in the middle. If it comes out clean, it is done. Leave to cool. 
    • Prepare the vanilla pudding according to  Recipe or follow packet insructions. Set aside to cool for at least an hour.
    • Wash and remove the stems from the strawberries. Quarter or half them as you like. 
    • With a pallet knife, spread the warm vanilla pudding over the cake. Now place the strawberries on top and garnish with some mint leaves (optional). 
    • Serve immediately or on the same day.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 569kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 9gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 207mgSodium: 335mgPotassium: 288mgFiber: 3gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 1158IUVitamin C: 74mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword authentic german recipe, german fruit cake, strawberry tray bake, traditional german strawberry cake
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Filed Under: Cakes, Desserts, Vegetarian

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Arica

      May 25, 2021 at 2:25 am

      5 stars

      5 stars
      This is a fun take on the strawberry shortcake I’m used to. Thanks for sharing, it looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Marita

        May 25, 2021 at 6:32 am

        Thanks I hope you get to try it

        Reply
    2. Jeannie

      May 24, 2021 at 11:05 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars

      5 stars
      I love how the strawberries stands out in this cake, sounds like a great dessert too. I need to try making the sponge cake and this whole dessert is mouthwatering.

      Reply
      • Marita

        May 25, 2021 at 6:33 am

        Thank you Jeannie, hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    3. Nora

      May 24, 2021 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars

      5 stars

      5 stars
      What a lovely recipe! This cake looks so delicious and is perfect for the strawberry season! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Marita

        May 25, 2021 at 6:33 am

        You are welcome. It is as delicious as it looks x

        Reply
    4. Linda

      May 24, 2021 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars

      5 stars
      A couple of years ago, we went to visit cousins in Germany and got to enjoy the tradition of Kaffee and Kuchen! It was so wonderful! This cake though…it looks absolutely beautiful + delicious. Berry desserts of any kind during the summer are perfect. I’m going to save this and make it for one of our summer gatherings.

      Reply
      • Marita

        May 25, 2021 at 6:34 am

        Thanks I hope you like it

        Reply
    5. Cat | Curly's Cooking

      May 21, 2021 at 11:11 pm

      5 stars
      This looks absolutely delicious! I love using strawberries in summer bakes.

      Reply
    6. Lesley

      May 19, 2021 at 2:40 pm

      5 stars
      What a glorious cake, I love the flavour of vanilla and laden with this amount of strawberries is a winning recipe for me.

      Reply
      • Marita

        May 19, 2021 at 4:12 pm

        Thank you. Yes, this cake is a winner hands down. It is delicious x

        Reply
    7. Connie

      June 27, 2014 at 1:44 pm

      Delicious, I love this cake! I make one like this too 🙂 it's a wonderful cake and perfect for strawberry season.

      Reply
    8. Ginger

      June 21, 2014 at 10:18 pm

      I have never heard of it but it looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Marita

        June 22, 2014 at 10:25 pm

        Thanks! I never heard of it until I tried it and now I wonder how it could have stayed hidden from me for so long. 🙂

        Reply

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    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. I love making German recipes and exploring the cultural history behind each dish.

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