Strawberry Kuchen Recipe (2024)

By: Author Julie Menghini

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Strawberry Kuchen Recipe has a sweet buttery dough layered with juicy fresh strawberries and topped with creamy custard. You’ll love this easy Strawberry Dessert.

We love this fresh strawberry fruit dessert so much that we made a delicious Fresh Peach Kuchen version too.

This post has been updated to improve readers’ experience. No changes were made to the recipe.

Strawberry Kuchen Recipe (1)

Strawberry Kuchen is a slightly sweet recipe that’s perfect for brunch or as an easy Strawberry Dessert to share with friends. It looks like you went to a lot of work but it comes together in a jiffy.

This recipe was previously featured with an affiliated product called Raisenne which appears in the video but isn’t available at this time.

Growing up my mother always had an Apricot Kuchen in a white bakery box hidden in the freezer.

The truth is she didn’t need to hide it because we didn’t like it.

This recipe was in her sister’s handwriting, and typical of those ladies, it left out about 60% of what I needed to know in order to make it. I just love those recipes though.

Strawberry Kuchen Recipe (2)

Table of contents

  • What is a Kuchen?
  • How to make Kuchen
    • Kuchen dough recipe
    • Tips for the perfect Kuchen pastry dough
  • Tips for the perfect Kuchen Custard
  • Tips for Strawberry Kuchen Dessert Assembly

What is a Kuchen?

Kuchen is a German word for “cake”. Kuchen desserts are traditionally served to friends with a cup of coffee.

We pronounce Kuchen as Ku-gen but it can also be pronounced Koo-ken. I’ve also seen it spelled Coogan and Cougan cake.

Kugen recipes can be sweet and use a variety of fruit or can be savory such as a Cheese Kugen.

Our strawberries are just beautiful now so we went with a fresh Fruit Strawberry Kugen recipe which makes the perfect Strawberry Dessert for summer.

How to make Kuchen

Kuchen dough recipe

I made this kuchen recipe a couple of times, and the first time I made it I rolled the dough a little thicker and brought it up over the edge of my pie plate.

Leaving the dough thicker makes for a cake-like crust.

Rolling the dough thinner makes it more like a pastry crust. In my opinion, rolling the dough thinner balances the dough with the fruit and custard layers evenly.

There’s a touch of cinnamon in the dough that makes it perfect with the custard.

Kuchen dough is very easy to work with. It’s soft and tender and is easy to roll. Here are some helpful tips.

Strawberry Kuchen Recipe (3)

Tips for the perfect Kuchen pastry dough

  • Ingredients should be at room temperature which makes blending them easier.
  • Add the all-purpose flour gradually. My dough required about 6 cups. I stirred in 3 cups initially and then gradually added the next 2 to 3 cups.
  • Once you can handle the dough, mixing it by hand will give you a feel for the dough’s consistency. You want the dough soft and tender.
    • Adding too little flour will result in a sticky dough.
    • Adding too much flour will result in a heavier and less tender dough.
  • Have a large oiled bowl ready for the dough to rise along with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap to cover it until doubled.
    • Cover the dough so it doesn’t develop a crust when exposed to air.
    • Place the bowl in a warmer area without drafts.

The custard isn’t difficult to make. I wanted my custard less eggy and a little sweeter so added more sugar than what the recipe calls for.

It’s still not real sweet but you can cut the sugar in half if that’s how you like it.

The following tips will help you to make the perfect smooth creamy custard topping.

Strawberry Kuchen Recipe (4)

Tips for the perfect Kuchen Custard

  • You can start making the Custard as soon as you start proofing the dough, or made first.
  • Use all room-temperature ingredients.
  • Whisk the eggs together in a separate dish prior to making the custard.
    • I like using a glass measuring cup for my eggs. That makes adding them much easier.
  • Don’t cook your cream ingredients too quickly. Cook it slow and as soon as it starts steaming it’s hot enough to add the eggs.
  • Add the eggs to the steaming cream mixture slowly at a drizzle, whisking the whole time. This is called tempering.
    • If you added them directly all at once, you would have scrambled eggs.
    • If you added the eggs at the beginning with the cream it would be lumpy.
  • The eggs are what thickens the cream mixture into a custard. When the starts to thicken, remove it from the heat.
    • The custard will thicken when baked and cooled so don’t over-thicken it. Please watch the video for the consistency.
    • This recipe comes together quickly so there isn’t any need to chill the custard.
Strawberry Kuchen Recipe (5)

Tips for Strawberry Kuchen Dessert Assembly

This recipe makes 4 pie plates or more, depending on how thin you roll the dough. You can make this recipe in any container that has sides and is oven-ready. Kuchen bars are easy to cut and serve when baked in a 9×13 baking dish.

  • Roll the dough thinly and place it on an oiled pie plate. Press the dough up the sides of the pie plate but not over the rim.
  • Layer the fruit on top of the dough but don’t go over the sides of the dough. Otherwise, some of the fruit can bake over and behind the dough.
  • Sprinkle the top with equal amounts of cinnamon and sugar.

Store Kuchen in the refrigerator or freeze in an air-tight container for up to 3 months.

Strawberry Kuchen Recipe (6)

If you like this Easy Kuchen recipe, here are a few more I think you’ll enjoy

  • Fresh Peach Kuchen Recipe
  • Rhubarb Custard Pie with Lattice Crust
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Bread with Streusel Topping
  • Old-Fashioned Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe

If you like this recipe, we would appreciate your comment and a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review!

I may have to start hiding my fresh Strawberry Kuchen in my freezer. It’s that good!

Strawberry Kuchen Recipe (7)

Strawberry Kuchen Recipe

Author: Julie Menghini

Strawberry Kuchen Recipe has a thin sweet dough layered with fresh strawberries and topped with a smooth and creamy custard.

4.89 from 9 votes

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Proof time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Course Breakfast and Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine American, German

Keyword: Kuchen Recipe, Strawberry Kuchen

Servings: 24

Ingredients

Kuchen Dough

  • 2 eggs room temperature, whisked
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon sliced
  • tsp instant yeast (2 packets of rapid rise yeast)
  • cups whole milk room temperature or warmed to 98°F
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 6 cups all-purpose flour 4 to 6 cups

Kuchen Custard

  • 6 eggs whisked, room temperature
  • 3 cups cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp salt

Fruit

  • 4 cups strawberries sliced

Equal amounts of cinnamon and sugar for garnishing.

    Instructions

    • Make the dough by stirring the milk, sugar, yeast, cinnamon, and eggs together. Add the softened butter and break it up into pieces with a spatula.

    • Add 3 cups of flour and stir together with a spatula. Add additional flour until the dough comes together. Continue adding flour until the dough is soft but not sticky.

    • Place the dough in an oiled boil. Cover and let rise until increased in volume 30% to 50%. Please see the recipe notes.

    • While the dough is rising, make the custard.

    Custard

    • Over low heat, combine the cream, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Heat until steaming. Slowly drizzle in the eggs, whisking continuously until mixture has started to thicken. Remove from the heat and set aside.

    Assembly

    • Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Spray pie plate with non-stick cooking spray.

    • Roll out pieces of dough large enough to cover the bottom of a pie plate and 1/2 to 3/4 up the sides of the plate.

    • Layer the fruit on the dough. Don't layer above the sides of the dough.

    • Spoon the custard over the top of the strawberry layer.

    • Sprinkle the top of the custard with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

    • Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, turning the pan half-way through.

    • Cool before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    Recipe makes 4 Kuchens.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 331kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 7gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 91mgPotassium: 157mgFiber: 2gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 683IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 2mg

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    Pin this amazing Strawberry Kuchen Recipe

    Strawberry Kuchen Recipe (8)

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    FAQs

    How do you make strawberries taste better? ›

    Add a little sugar and salt! Wash your strawberries, cut them, and hit them with a pinch of salt and a couple good three-finger pinches of granulated sugar, give them a little tossy-toss, and watch them magically start to darken and get extra juicy.

    How do you keep strawberries from bleeding on a cake? ›

    4 - Dice the strawberries and mix them with sugar to allow the juices to seep out of the berries so that they don't bleed on the cake. Strain the juice from the strawberries and then fill the cake.

    How do you keep strawberries from making cake soggy? ›

    How do you keep strawberry filling from making the cake soggy? A thin layer of frosting between the cake and the strawberry filling will help block moisture from seeping into the cake below. The frosting acts as a barrier. If the cake you're making will be eaten quickly, this step may not be necessary.

    How long will strawberries last on a cake? ›

    You do need to refrigerate a cake with cream cheese frosting. Without the optional sliced fresh strawberries added, this cake will last in the refrigerator for 5 days. Sliced fresh strawberries will last in a cake for 3 days in the refrigerator.

    What is the secret to sweet strawberries? ›

    Sun it is that develops sugar levels in the berries – so make sure your plants get lots, and lots of it.

    What brings out the flavor of strawberries? ›

    Macerate the berries.

    Just a little bit of sugar is all you need. Spoon it over chopped or sliced berries, stir together, then let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes before digging in. Want to up the flavor even more? Consider adding a splash of juice or your favorite booze to give berries a flavorful twist.

    Will fresh strawberries on a cake make it soggy? ›

    Strawberries are very moist. If you put fresh ones in frosting, you will soon get a little puddle. I would do one of three things. Buy dehydrated slice strawberries and the will draw moisture from the icing, but would be best the second day.

    Can you put fresh strawberries on top of cake? ›

    Using a paring knife, slice the strawberries lengthwise to between ⅛-inch and ¼-inch thickness. Place strawberries on the cake with their points facing out. Starting from the outside perimeter of the cake, place a ring of strawberries (flat-side down) with the points facing out.

    Why did my strawberry cake turn brown? ›

    This is probably due to the fact that when you bake fresh strawberries, the flesh tends to turn brown. Even when you're using a strawberry reduction. The lemon juice helps a little with the browning problem but doesn't get rid of it completely.

    Can I put strawberries on a cake the day before? ›

    Cakes With Fresh Berries

    To work ahead, you can always frost the final layer of the buttercream, add any ganache drips, and store the cake overnight in the refrigerator. Then finish the rest of the decorating the day the cake is due to keep those berries looking fresh.

    Can you put strawberries in between cake layers? ›

    For an impressive dessert centerpiece, try this Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling! This cake features a delectable strawberry filling sandwiched between layers of vanilla cake and is crowned with a luscious whipped cream frosting.

    How to put fresh strawberries on a cake? ›

    Place sliced strawberries around the bottom side edges of the cake. Rinse the strawberries first, then cut the green parts off. Cut them into halves or into 14 in (0.64 cm) thick slices. Press the strawberries into the sides of a frosted cake, with the flat edges facing down and the pointy ends facing up.

    What is the healthiest way to sweeten strawberries? ›

    Use a sugar substitute.

    Stevia is a naturally-occurring alternative to sugar that is growing in popularity since it is healthier than granulated sugar. The taste difference is marginal at best so if you're desperate for a sprinkling of sugar over your strawberries, Stevia is the healthier option.

    What flavoring goes well with strawberries? ›

    Strawberry: Pairs well with other berries, almond, apple, banana, chocolate, citrus, coriander, honey, melon, mint, peach, pineapple, rhubarb, vanilla, and walnut.

    What makes strawberries taste sweeter? ›

    As strawberries ripen, their sugar content rises from about 5% in unripe green fruit to 6–9% on ripening. At the same time, the acidity decreases, meaning ripe strawberries taste much sweeter. The ripening process is controlled by a hormone called auxin.

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