Description
This Strawberry Kuchen is a delightful German-inspired dessert featuring a thin, sweet yeast dough layered with fresh, juicy strawberries and topped with a smooth, creamy custard. The soft, slightly cinnamon-spiced dough perfectly complements the fresh fruit and rich custard, making it a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 2 eggs (room temperature, whisked)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon (ground)
- 4½ tsp instant yeast (2 packets of rapid rise yeast)
- 1¾ cups whole milk (room temperature or warmed to 98°F)
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 6 cups all-purpose flour (start with 4 cups, add more as needed)
Custard Topping:
- 6 eggs (whisked, room temperature)
- 3 cups cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
Topping:
- 4 cups strawberries (sliced)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, sugar, instant yeast, cinnamon, and whisked eggs. Stir gently to blend the ingredients. Add the softened butter and break it into pieces using a spatula.
- Add Flour: Gradually add 3 cups of flour to the wet mixture and stir with a spatula. Continue adding flour, a little at a time, until the dough comes together and is soft but no longer sticky.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until it increases in volume by about 30% to 50%. This usually takes around 30 minutes; refer to notes for ambient temperature tips.
- Prepare the Custard: While the dough is rising, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a separate mixing bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Kuchen: Once the dough has risen, roll it out thinly on a floured surface to fit your baking pan. Place the rolled dough into the pan, evenly layer the sliced strawberries on top, then pour the prepared custard mixture over the strawberries.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the Kuchen for approximately 30 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is lightly golden and slightly puffed.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the Kuchen to cool to room temperature before slicing to help the custard set further. Serve as a delightful dessert or a sweet snack.
Notes
- The dough should be soft but not sticky — adding flour gradually is key to achieving the right consistency.
- Maintaining the milk and eggs at room temperature helps the yeast activate better for optimal dough rise.
- You can adjust the sweetness of the custard topping by adding more or less sugar according to taste.
- If your kitchen is cool, allow a longer rising time or place the dough in a slightly warmed oven (turned off) to help it rise.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and juiciness.
- This Kuchen can be enjoyed warm or chilled and pairs beautifully with whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 331
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 91 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 108 mg
