Oma's Traditional German Sugar Cake (Zuckerkuchen)
Oma's Zuckerkuchen, aka Butterkuchen, is a traditional German Butter Cake (or Sugar Cake) that's often served for afternoon coffee. Loved by all, easy to make and so delicious to eat!
- Prep time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Cook time
- 25 min
- Yield
- 20 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 tablespoon (10 grams) active dry yeast
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) lukewarm water
- 1 teaspoon (4 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) lukewarm milk
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) neutral oil
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- About 4 – 4½ cups (520 – 585 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk or cream
- ⅓ cup (76 grams) cold butter
- ⅔ cup (133 grams) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (75 grams) sliced almonds
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, mix yeast, water, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let stand for about 5 to 10 minutes. This should be foamy. (It will be if the yeast is not old.)
- 2
Mix in 1 cup milk, oil, egg, and ½ cup sugar. Beat in 2 cups flour and mix well. Let stand 10 minutes.
- 3
Add more flour until a soft dough results.
- 4
Remove from bowl and knead until smooth and elastic, adding flour ONLY if necessary if it is too sticky.
- 5
Put smooth dough into a greased bowl. Cover with a clean tea towel and put in a draft-free warm place for about 30–60 minutes, until doubled in size.
- 6
Grease a 15x10-inch jelly-roll pan. Roll out dough to fit pan and place in pan.
- 7
Make small hollows in the surface of the dough with your fingers.
- 8
Brush dough with ½ cup milk or cream. Cut butter into small pieces and place in hollows. Sprinkle ⅔ cup sugar and nuts over dough.
- 9
Cover and let stand in a warm draft-free place for about 30 minutes.
- 10
Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
- 11
Let cool slightly and cut into 20 pieces.