24 Classic German Recipes

“This is my mother-in-law’s German version of Linzer Christmas Cookies. She says they are best filled with currant jelly but it is hard to find. Otherwise, she uses apricot.” – Sheila

“Super easy, this one-skillet hot German potato salad with vinegar and bacon is a great side dish.” – Opal

“When I worked at the bank, I had a customer who used to always come to my window to make his deposits for his business. He owned a bakery. He always smelled like doughnuts! I asked him one day if he would give me his recipe for the kuchen he sold. He wouldn’t do it till the week he decided to close his bakery and retire. My favorite is the cinnamon or butter kuchen.” – Dorene

“A traditional German breakfast meal. You can try this with any kind of link sausage: Kielbasa, bratwurst, knackwurst, etc.” – Cyndi

“I used to make this a lot in Germany. It is a family favorite, the meat is very tender. It goes with just about anything. It’s very good with cabbage, potatoes, potato salad, carrot salad, or just glazed carrots, salad is good too. The breading is awesome and a beautiful color to boot. Makes awesome sandwiches. It’s fantastic with Jäger sauce on it!” – JoSele

“Spritz cookies have a colourful history, come in all shapes, and all of my grandchildren have taken their turns making them, while still in their preschool years. I own several spritz guns or presses, and I love to study the history of this cookie. My favourite recipe comes to my family from Marion, my friend of 47 years.” – Maureen

“This is a very old recipe from Germany. These cookies are usually served with coffee or tea and enjoyed mainly at Christmastime. There is no shortening or butter in this recipe.” – Beth

“This is my version of goulash. Tonight I took the time to write down what I do for you and my family. I hope you enjoy. My neighbor, who is Swiss, said it tasted like her grandmother made, and she loved it.” – Sandy

“This is authentic! I lived in Germany for 3+ years. This is the way my German neighbor taught me to make delicious sauerkraut. It takes a bit more time than just opening up a briny can of kraut and heating it through on the stove, but it is so worth it.” – Terrie

“I got this recipe from my neighbor’s mother. She taught me how to make it. She was from Bavaria Province in Germany.” – Diane

“This dish was handed down by my great-grandmother. I still make it for family and friends. At potlucks, I always get asked for the recipe. My family insists I make it for all holiday dinners, but much to their chagrin, I draw the line at Thanksgiving.” – Melanie

“When we lived up in Port Angeles, WA, it seemed like everybody was related and in one big extended family; they could hardly wait for Christmas and Koo Koo Bread each year. This year, Jacki shared her recipe with me and gave me permission to post it here. She says it is a 100+ year old recipe started by her great-grandmother. It is a German Kuchen bread, but always called Koo Koo Bread by their family.” – Laurie

“Every year my husband and I have an Oktoberfest party. These little pretzel nuggets are a huge hit!” – Jess

“Found in mom’s recipe notebook. I remember this one being a keeper!” – Marcia

“Since medieval times, beer soup has been a staple German food. Easy to find in many Wisconsin restaurants, it’s easy to make at home as well! If you need an extra beer to sample while cooking, go for it!” – Carolyn

“Something my mom made and I have been making for 25 years. It’s my recipe now, with all of my tweaks. Yum!” – Helene

“I have always had a love for the Black Forest Cake, but as I tried it many times through the years, it just wasn’t quite hitting that scrumptious point. I knew by deconstructing the cake, I could make the best Black Forest Cake by using my own recipes for the components of this famous cake. And, I did. It’s luscious, decadent, and, most importantly, memorable.” – Nancy

“This is my grandmother’s version of spaetzle. I imagine she got the recipe from her mother, who left Germany as a teenager. It is different from those noodly little things you get in a restaurant. These are more like little dumplings.” – Thea

“This is my German friend Hilda’s mother’s recipe for Blitzkuchen mit Apfeln (German apple cake). It’s a very old one. I have enjoyed this at her home many times, and it’s a keeper. Don’t shy away from this recipe. I am sure you will enjoy it and want a second helping.” – Nancy

“This delicious gingerbread recipe is tasty and full of flavor. It is very different from traditional North American gingerbread but a wonderful Christmas tradition. Give it a try.” – Lysa

“My grandmother’s used to make these, and it seemed they could never make enough of them. They are great fresh from the oven. On the rare occurrence that there were leftovers, we enjoyed them cold. The same was said when we served them at the restaurant.” – Tim

“Today, we are going to relive some of our favorite foods from living in Germany. This is my version of one of the standard recipes in German. I hope you all enjoy it.” – Sandy

“My great-grandmother taught my grandmother, who taught my mother, who taught me how to make these.” – Brandy

“A simple and tasty sauerkraut soup with bacon, beans, kielbasa, and quinoa!” – Kevin