Kuchen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kuchen, the German word for "cake," is used as the name for several different types of sweet desserts, pastries, and gateaux. The term itself may cover as many distinct desserts as its English counterpart "cake."

Kuchen desserts are presumably handed down from those of German heritage and as such are often popular in many areas of German settlement in the United States, particularly North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, and Minnesota. In Brazil, it is called "cuca" and it is found in areas of German settlement, like Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina states.

[edit] Known forms of Kuchen

A pie-like pastry, with a thick, "cakey" crust and a sweet custard based filling.
A rolled-pastry, with a long spiral of dough filled, rolled, baked and then sliced to serve. (Sometimes known as a nut roll).
A coffee cake-like pastry, with veins and pockets of cinnamon and sugar baked throughout. (Most popular in Southern Indiana.)
A cheese cake-like pastry, with a yeast raised crust, filled with fruit (cherry is most popular) and a creamy custard.