• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Food and Journeys®
  • WORLD CUISINES
  • HOW-TOS
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • Notes on Copyright
    • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Categories
  • Countries
  • Pasta
  • Food Atlas
  • Kitchen Staples
  • Subscribe!
  • About Me
  • Policy
  • Copyright
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Categories
    • Countries
    • Pasta
    • Food Atlas
    • Kitchen Staples
    • Subscribe!
    • About Me
    • Policy
    • Copyright
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Butterkuchen (German Butter Cake)

    Published: Jul 28, 2021 · Modified: Sep 16, 2022 by Neriz · This post contains some affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    A delicious cake topped with cinnamon and almonds!  German Butter Cake or Butterkuchen is a classic treat from Germany that you can easily make at home.  Excellent for a snack, dessert, or even breakfast!

    An overhead shot of sliced portion of German Butter Cake, ready for serving.

    It might not be as ubiquitous as pretzels, but I have yet to see a bakery (at least in Frankfurt) that does not have German butter cake.  

    You think it’s just good for snacks? Nope, butterkuchen is also excellent for breakfast or after-meal dessert.

    For a complete experience, start with my authentic German Potato Soup, locally known as ‘kartoffelsuppe,’ with some German Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer) on the side — then finish with a slice (or two) of this treat.

    What is butterkuchen?

    Although its literal translation is ‘butter cake,’ butterkuchen is more like bread, a yeasted bread to be exact — and it’s one of the most famous German treats for a coffee break. 

    Butterkuchen goes so well with coffee because it gives you that perfect balance of sugar and cinnamon in every bite.  

    And don’t forget the subtle crunch from the almonds!

    IF YOU WANT MORE TRADITIONAL GERMAN DESSERTS, THEN YOU WILL LOVE THESE POSTS!

    • Newly cooked German Apple Fritters, served with vanilla sauce.
      German Apple Fritters (Apfelküchle)
    • Feature image for German marzipan cookies, showing them served with a cup of coffee.
      German Baked Marzipan Cookies (Bethmännchen)

    Ingredients

    Latest - Jul2021, an image showing all the ingredients you need to prepare butterkuchen at home.
    • Flour – all you need is all-purpose flour for this butterkuchen recipe.
    • Milk – use full cream milk, if possible.
    • Yeast – I typically use active dry yeast for preparing German butter cake.
    • Sugar – granulated white sugar is excellent for butterkuchen, both for the dough and the topping with cinnamon.
    • Butter – I generally use unsalted butter; and softened.
    • Salt – you might need to use less if you are using salted butter.
    • Cinnamon powder – just use your favorite brand for the topping of your butterkuchen.
    • Egg – medium-sized eggs (about 63 to 73 grams each), and make sure they’re at room temperature.
    • Almonds – sliced almonds on top of butterkuchen to provide the crunch in every bite!
    A closer shot of squares of butterkuchen, highlighting the cinnamon and sugar mixture that seeps through the cake.

    Preparation

    Start making butterkuchen by combining the yeast with half a cup of warm milk (photo 1).

    Set it aside until it’s foamy and ready.

    Combine flour, three tablespoons of sugar, and salt using your stand mixer bowl.

    First step of latest (Sep2022) collage showing the steps to make German Butter Cake.

    Mix with the paddle attachment.

    Add the yeast mixture, remaining half cup milk, and egg — then mix (photo 2).

    Add softened butter and switch to hook attachment; continue mixing until you get a smooth dough.

    Form your butterkuchen dough into a ball and place it into an oiled bowl (photo 3).

    Cover with a clean kitchen cloth and set aside until it doubles in size — typically for about ninety minutes.

    Second part of latest (Sep2022) collage showing process of making German butter cake.

    Take it out of the bowl, and roll it into the baking tray’s size using a rolling pin. 

    Transfer it to the baking tray, then use a fork to prick it randomly (photo 4).

    Cover with a kitchen towel and set aside for about thirty minutes.

    Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

    Using a medium-sized bowl, combine the remaining sugar and butter with the cinnamon.  Mix evenly.

    Uncover the dough and use your fingers to form dents on it (photo 5).

    Last part of latest (Sep2022) collage showing steps on how to prepare butterkuchen at home.

    Spread the cinnamon-butter mixture on top — and use an angled spatula to spread it evenly.

    Sprinkle sliced almonds on top of your butterkuchen (photo 6).

    Place the tray in the middle of the oven for about twenty to twenty-five minutes.

    Once cool enough to cut, slice your German butter cake into squares.

    Serve, and sprinkle more almonds on top, if desired. 

    An overhead shot of slices of butterkuchen, served on a plate, with a cup of espresso on the side.

    Helpful tips

    • You don’t need a stand mixer to prepare this authentic German butter cake. The dough of the butterkuchen is so easy to handle with your hands — not sticky at all.
    • If you don’t have a rolling pin, that’s not a problem.  You can stretch the dough to fit the tray’s size and then press with your hands to make it even. 
    • Not a fan of nuts?  Then skip the almonds.  Butterkuchen without almonds is quite common as well.
    A closer shot of slices of German Butter Cake, served with coffee.

    Recipe variation

    • Butter.  Traditionally, it’s only butter that’s used for butterkuchen topping.  The dents are filled with bits of butter, and a sprinkle of sugar is added on top of it.
    • Streusel. Nowadays, it’s quite common to see streusel on butterkuchen as well.

    FAQs

    Can I use a different size of baking pan?

    Absolutely. You can even use a round baking pan if you prefer.

    But generally, butterkuchen is baked on a regular tray. That’s what makes it unique in a way – a no-fuss cake.

    How do I serve this?

    While it’s delicious as it is, butterkuchen is also excellent with whipped cream — especially if you’re serving it fresh from the oven.  Yum!

    So, what do you think?  Give this butterkuchen recipe a try this weekend, and let me know!

    Text for Roundup Sections
    • Latest (Oct22) feature image for authentic German recipes post.
    • Latest (Oct22) feature image for traditional Swedish desserts and pastries.
    An overhead shot of sliced portion of German Butter Cake, ready for serving.

    Butterkuchen Recipe (German Butter Cake)

    It's so easy to make German Butter Cake (Butterkuchen) at home!  A classic German treat that's so simple, and yet, so DELICIOUS! Great for snack, dessert or breakfast!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: German
    Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Resting Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 174kcal
    Author: Neriz

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls
    • Pyrex Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Stand Mixer
    • Rolling Pin
    • Rubber Spatula
    • Rectangular Baking Tray
    • Angled Spatula

    Ingredients

    For the butterkuchen dough:

    • 2 & 1/4 tsp yeast
    • 1 cup milk, warm
    • 3 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 3 tbsp sugar
    • 3 tbsp butter (about 60 grams), unsalted and softened
    • 1 medium egg, at room temperature and beaten

    For the topping:

    • 1 & 1/4 stick butter (about 142 grams), unsalted and softened
    • 6 tbsp sugar
    • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
    • 3/4 cup almonds, sliced

    Instructions

    Preparing butterkuchen dough:

    • Combine ½ cup of warm milk with yeast. Mix and set aside until foamy.
    • Using your stand mixer's bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar.  Use the flat beater attachment to mix.
    • Add yeast mixture, remaining ½ cup of milk, and egg.  Mix to combine.
    • Add softened butter.  Mix until a dough starts to form. 
    • Switch to the dough hook attachment and mix it becomes smooth.
    • Form your butterkuchen dough into a ball and place it into an oiled bowl.  Cover with a clean kitchen towel and set aside until the size has doubled — generally takes at least an hour.
    • Take it out of the bowl, and using a rolling pin, roll the dough into the baking tray's size. (I use a baking tray that's 14.75 x 9.75-inch.)
    • Use your hands to even out the butterkuchen dough, then use a fork to prick it randomly.
    • Cover with a clean kitchen towel and set aside for 30 minutes.

    Baking German butter cake:

    • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
    • When the dough is almost ready, start preparing the topping by combining the remaining softened butter, sugar, and cinnamon powder in a bowl — mix evenly.
    • Once your butterkuchen dough is ready, use your fingers to create dents on it.
    • Spread the cinnamon-butter mixture on your butterkuchen, making sure that the dents have the mix in them.
    • Sprinkle sliced almonds on top.
    • Place the baking tray in the middle of the oven for 18 to 20 minutes.
    • Once cool enough to cut, slice your butterkuchen into squares, then serve.
    • Top with more sliced almonds, if preferred. 

    Notes

    • Cook’s Tip #1:  You can easily make this butter cake recipe without a stand mixer; the butterkuchen dough is relatively easy to knead manually.
    • Cook’s Tip #2:  If you don’t have a rolling pin, that’s not a problem. You can stretch the butterkuchen dough to fit the tray’s size and then use your hands to make it even.
    • Cook’s Tip #3:  If you don’t like nuts, skip the almonds.  Butterkuchen without almonds is quite common as well.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 218IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @foodandjourneys or tag #foodandjourneys!

    More Cakes From Around the World

    • Feature image for Swedish Almond Cake, showing the golden top of the cake, with a slice ready for serving.
      Swedish Almond Cake (Mandelkaka)
    • Feature image for tosca cake, showing two slices ready for serving.
      Tosca Cake (Toscakaka or Swedish Caramel Almond Cake)
    • Feature image for kladdkaka, showing a slice with cream on top.
      Kladdkaka (Swedish Sticky Chocolate Cake)
    • Feature image for classic seed cake, which shows two slices of it served.
      English Seed Cake

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Image for About Me

    Hej there!

    A smorgasbord of traditional and delicious international recipes awaits you, so feel free to look around and pick your favorites. No need to leave your kitchen to experience the real deal!

    More about me →

    Image for listing as-featured-on

    Summer Favorites

    • Latest (May23) feature image for affogato, showing the Italian summer dessert served on a glass.
      Affogato (Italian Coffee and Ice Cream)
    • Latest (May23) feature image for Eiskaffee, showing a mug of the summer drink with a straw.
      Eiskaffee (German Iced Coffee)
    • Two glasses of almond granita served with Sicilian brioche.
      Sicilian Almond Granita
    • A shot of pistachio semifreddo, with melted chocolate being poured on it.
      Pistachio Semifreddo
    • Panzanella salad on a plate, with a fresh tomato next to it.
      Traditional Panzanella (Tuscan Bread Salad)
    • Feature image for Finnish Summer Vegetable Soup, showing a serving of the dish.
      Finnish Summer Vegetable Soup
    • Three servings of coffee granita. One with a teaspoon on it, ready to be enjoyed!
      Coffee Granita
    • Latest (May23) feature image for blueberry clafoutis, showing the dish fresh out of the oven.
      Easy Blueberry Clafoutis
    • Latest feature image of Pollo alla Romana (Mar23), showing the dish in a pan, ready for serving.
      Roman-Style Chicken (Pollo alla Romana)
    • Latest (May23) feature image for Swedish blueberry soup, serving it with cream on top.
      Swedish Blueberry Soup (Blåbärssoppa)
    • Feature image for summer minestrone, showing the soup in a pan.
      Summer Minestrone (Minestrone alla Milanese)
    • Spanish Marinated Eggplant and Peppers, served as an appetizer, on top of a toasted slice of bread.
      Spanish Marinated Eggplant and Peppers

    Popular Posts

    • Two servings of German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe). Both creamy potato soup servings are garnished with spring onions.
      German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe)
    • An overhead shot of a skillet of Spanish Garlic Chicken, straight out of the oven.
      Spanish Garlic Chicken (Pollo Al Ajillo)
    • A shot of a pan of Arroz de Tomate, fresh out of the stove, highlighting the sauce and the bits of tomatoes and parsley leaves.
      Portuguese Tomato Rice (Arroz de Tomate)
    • An overhead shot of a basket of Biscotti Regina, served with coffee.
      Sicilian Sesame Seed Cookies (Biscotti Regina)
    • A closer shot of kanelbullar on a cooling rack, highlighting the filling of the buns.
      Swedish Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbullar)
    • An image showing two bowls of Finnish Salmon Soup served with some bread.
      Finnish Salmon Soup (Lohikeitto)
    • An overhead shot of a bunch of freshly baked taralli, served with a shot of espresso, with scaterred fennel seeds on the background.
      Taralli (Italian Crackers)
    • Swedish Almond Tart
      Swedish Almond Tart
    • A slice of Swedish cardamom cake, highlighting the soft texture of the cake.
      Swedish Cardamom Cake
    • An overhead shot of a basket of Italian Walnut Cookies, served with an espresso.
      Italian Walnut Cookies (Dolci di Noci)

    Sweet Treats

    • Traditional Swedish Cakes that you can easily make at home.
      Traditional Swedish Cakes: Make Them at Home!
    • Latest (Oct22) feature image for fika post, showing some Swedish treats, and coffee and tea in the background.
      What is Fika? (Fika Meaning + Recipes)
    • Latest (Oct22) feature image for Easy Italian Desserts and Pastries post.
      Easy Italian Desserts & Pastries Recipes
    • Latest (Oct22) Feature image for Traditional German Desserts and Pastries.
      Traditional German Desserts and Pastries

    Favorite Cuisines

    • Latest feature image for authentic Swedish recipes, showing västerbottenostpaj, a midsummer favorite.
      Authentic Swedish Recipes
    • Feature image for Filipino Recipes post, a serving of pancit bihon with a slice of lemon.
      Classic Filipino Recipes
    • Feature image for German Recipes post.
      Authentic German Recipes
    • Feature image for Traditional Spanish Recipes, a pan of espinacas con garbanzos.
      Traditional Spanish Recipes
    • Feature image for Italian recipes by region post.
      Italian Recipes by Region
    • Feature image for Finnish Recipes post.
      Easy Finnish Recipes
    • Feature image for Greek Recipes post.
      Traditional Greek Recipes
    • Feature image for Lebanese Recipes post.
      Lebanese Recipes

    Footer

    Policy

    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    • About Me

    Copyright

    • Notes on Copyright

    A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM.

    Copyright © 2023. FOOD AND JOURNEYS®