Traditional German Obst Kuchen Fresh Fruit Flan Sponge Cake Recipes

TRADITIONAL GERMAN OBST KUCHEN - FRESH FRUIT FLAN (SPONGE CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In large bowl, beat yolks. Add sugar, softened margarine and yeast. Mix well.
• Add flour, then vanilla and mix well.
• In separate bowl beat egg whites until stiff. Add egg whites to flour mixture - then gradually mix in enough milk to give a soft dropping consistency.
• Grease German flan pan. Add dough to greased pan, spreading evenly with a spatula.
• Bake at 350F degrees for about 20 minutes until tests done with a toothpick.
• Remove from oven. Cool in pan on a rack for 15 minutes, then invert on a cake plate or other large plate.
• Arrange fresh berries or other fresh or canned fruits (kiwi slices, pineapple, gooseberries, apricots, and cherries are nice) on top of the inverted sponge cake (note: you may add a thin custard layer prior to filling with fruit, if you wish). Spread your favorite fruit glaze over the top of the fruit (may use a clear glaze or use strawberry or red currant jelly, or apricot jam). Chill until serving time.
• Serve with dollops of fresh whipped cream, and a cup of coffee. Enjoy!

GERMAN FRESH FRUIT KUCHEN (BREAD MACHINE)

Steps:

• Measure dough ingredients into bread machine pan in the order suggested by manufacturer.
• Process on dough/manual cycle.
• When cycle is complete, remove dough from machine to lightly floured surface.
• If necessary, knead in additional flour to make dough easy to handle.
• Roll dough to 10 x 15-inch rectangle.
• Place on large, greased baking sheet.
• Arrange fruit, in lengthwise rows, 1/2 inch apart, on dough.
• Sprinkle Crumb Topping between rows of fruit.
• Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 20 to 40 minutes.
• Makes 1 (10 x 15-inch) coffee cake.
• Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes or until done.
• Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.
• Brush fruit with jam and drizzle Almond Icing over cake.
• Crumb Topping: Combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, 3/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg.
• Cut in 3 tablespoons softened butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Almond Icing: In small bowl, combine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 4 to 5 teaspoons milk and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; stir until smooth.

MOM'S FRUIT FLAN (GERMAN ERDBEER/OBST BODEN TORTE)

Steps:

• To Make Base (Boden):.
• Thoroughly grease a 10 to 11 inch (25 to 28 cm) boden tin. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl beat together butter and sugar til white and creamy; add egg and beat til mixed in thoroughly.
• Sift together flour and baking powder and fold into the butter mixture, adding milk til it holds together in a ball.
• Press dough into a well greased boden torte pan (wet your hands with a little water to keep the dough from sticking to your hands).
• Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden.
• Remove from oven. Cool in pan on a rack for 15 minutes, then invert on a cake plate or other large plate.
• Filling:.
• If desired, spread a thin layer of custard (or vanilla pudding or pastry cream) evenly over the cooled boden.
• Fill with a variety of fruit and whipped cream. Use any variety you like or simply canned peach slices or fresh strawberries.
• Glaze:.
• For a simple glaze, melt a little apple jelly or strawberry jam and pour over the fruit.
• -Or- take 1/2 cup of the fruit syrup. Cook it over high heat with 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in a little cold water, cook it until it is clear, and the raw cornstarch flavor disappears (approximately 2 minutes). Drizzle evenly over the fruit.
• Chill until ready to serve. This cake is best served within 24 hours.
• Serve with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and you have a lovely little dessert. Quick and easy.

SPONGE FRUIT FLAN

Steps:

• Open the tin of fruit and strain the juice or syrup into a cup. Make up 1/2 pint (2 cupfuls) of the fruit juice by adding water if necessary. Heat the juice and water in a saucepan, until it is just boiling. Remove from the heat and add the jelly. Stir until the jelly melts. Leave a few minutes to cool, then put into the fridge, freezer, or other cold place, until the jelly is half-set. (This will take about 1/2 to 1 hour according to the temperature: the colder it is, the quicker the jelly will set).
• When the jelly is half-set, arrange the fruit in the sponge flan in pretty patterns. Spoon the half-set jelly on the top and leave in a cool place to set completely (15-30 minutes, depending on the temperature). Leave any spare jelly to set, then mash with a fork and serve separately with any spare fruit. (If the jelly gets too set before you remember to finish the flan, it can be thinned down by carefully adding 1 to 2 tbsp boiling water to the set jelly and stirring hard, to make it soft again).