Description
Strawberry Kuchen is a delightful German-style dessert featuring a thin, sweet yeast dough layered with fresh strawberries and topped with a smooth, creamy custard. This recipe yields a tender, flavorful kuchen perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 eggs (room temperature, whisked)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon (sliced)
- 4½ tsp instant yeast (2 packets rapid rise yeast)
- 1¾ cups whole milk (room temperature or warmed to 98°F)
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 6 cups all-purpose flour (4 to 6 cups as needed)
Custard Ingredients
- 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
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, stir together the whole milk, sugar, instant yeast, cinnamon, and whisked eggs. Add the softened butter, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula to incorporate evenly.
- Add Flour: Add 3 cups of all-purpose flour to the wet mixture and stir with a spatula until combined. Gradually add more flour, a little at a time, until the dough comes together. The final dough should be soft but not sticky, usually near 6 cups.
- Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until it increases in volume by 30% to 50%, approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
- Prepare the Custard: While the dough is rising, whisk together the 6 eggs, cream, whole milk, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Kuchen: Once the dough has risen, roll or press it out thinly onto a greased baking pan. Evenly layer the sliced strawberries over the dough.
- Add Custard and Bake: Pour the prepared custard custard evenly over the strawberries and dough. Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 30 minutes, until the custard is set and the crust is golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the Kuchen from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature before slicing into 24 servings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the milk is at the correct temperature for optimal yeast activation (about 98°F).
- The dough should be soft but not sticky; adjust flour quantity accordingly.
- Letting the dough rise sufficiently is key to a tender crust.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for best flavor and texture.
- Cool the kuchen completely before slicing to maintain custard integrity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 331 kcal
- 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
