German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (2024)

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Sorry friends if you are on a diet but the hubby is baking again today. This is a recipe that I’ve been wanting to share for a really long time. We’ve had this recipe since before my son was born, so about 15 years and I remember translating it into English for my husband.

Every time I go to Germany, I go to our local bakery and order their loaded “Mohnkuchen” and you just can’t get anything close to it here in the US. So this is about the closest recipe to it I have.
It’s so so good but unfortunately not gluten-free. My husband might try to come up with a gluten-free version yet. He’s tried once but it needs tweaking.
He baked this for my birthday and I took pictures of him making it for me.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (1)

In Germany, you use “Quark” for this recipe which is similar to sour cream and yogurt but we came up with a mixture of sour cream and ricotta. Quark is a little bit more bitter though which is why I love our mixture.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (2)

Germans use a lot of Vanillin Sugar for baking which you can findHEREbut you can also use a mixture of sugar and vanilla beans which I have in my ingredients list. We stick with the German packages though.

I haven’t been able tofind a large amount of poppy seeds required for this cake at the local grocery stores here. So I buy mine…wait take a guess…yup… Amazon. See the one I buyHERE.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (3)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (4)

Germans also cook and bake with a scale not cups. So we just bought a little scale (HERE) and use that for German recipes which you can see in the photos. Or you can just use an online converter likeTHISandTHIS

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Dough:

  • 150g quark (my mixture of 2 parts ricotta and 1 part sour cream)
  • 75g sugar
  • 300g flour
  • 6 tbsp milk
  • 6tbspvegetable oil
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • a pinch of salt

For the filling:

  • 500ml milk
  • 40g of butter
  • 60g of semolina
  • German Vanilla SugarHERE(similar to ½ vanilla bean and 4 tbsp of sugar)
  • 8 oz bag of poppy seedsHERE
  • 6-8 tbsp of sugar (depending how sweet you like it)
  • 2 eggs
  • a sprinkle of cinnamon

Forthestreusels:

  • 200g flour
  • 100g butter (room temperature)
  • 100g sugar

Preheat the oven to 375F

Start out by making the streusel so they can sit in the fridge while you make the rest of the cake:
Simply combine the butter, sugar, and flour in a bowl and knead it into a dough, and put it in the fridge.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (5)

Then it’s time for the bottom dough:

Mix the dough ingredients together. My husband likes to slowly mix in the flour and then knead it all to a soft dough.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (6)

We use a greased 9 x 13ish pan and spread the dough out into it which you can see below.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (8)

Then you need to move on to the poppy seed filling:

Heat up the milk and butter in a pot until it starts to boil, add in the semolina, the sugar, and the Vanillin Sugar, and let it start to boil again while stirring. Quickly remove it from the stove and let the mixture soak for 5 minutes.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (9)

After that, you can add the poppy seeds, cinnamon, and eggs.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (10)

Mix it really well to avoid clumps and spread everything over the dough.

(Some German bakeries add raisins to the poppy seed mixture but I hate that. When I go to a bakery I ask if the cake has raisins in it and if it does, I don’t buy it. I usually like raisins but not in my Mohnkuchen)

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (11)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (12)

Now it’s time to add the streusels/crumbles. Take the dough out of the fridge and crumble it over the poppy seed filling like my husband is doing in the below photo.

It should look similar to the photo below.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (13)

Then out the pan in the 375F oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. It should look similar to the browned cake below when done.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (14)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (15)

At the end dust it with powdered sugar and ENJOY!

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (16)

YUM, my absolute favorite!

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (17)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (18)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (19)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (20)

You have to try this one. It’s also one of my son’s favorite cakes. He also loves the Boston Banoffee Pie my hubby makes and which you can findHERE.

If you are into German cooking and traditions then check out my favorite German Christmas decorations, my favorite German wooden Christmas ornaments, and my otherGerman decorshowcased in a Christmas home tour from a previous year.

Tschüß.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (21)

Here are some more of my hubby’s baking recipes:

The photos will take you to see the posts.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (24)

Boston Banoffee Pie

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you have to soak poppy seeds before baking? ›

At least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) before making the batter, stir the poppy seeds into 1/4 cup (60 ml) hot water (this step softens the poppy seeds so they are more digestible). Let sit at room temperature. Then strain.

Why do people put poppy seeds in muffins? ›

Poppy Seeds: These itty-bitty seeds add a mild nutty flavor and slight crunch to baked goods. I love them on bagels, too! Butter: Creamed butter gives these muffins a cake-like texture; plus, it adds deliciously buttery flavor.

How do you grind poppy seeds for baking? ›

When I prepare a poppy seeds filling (e.g. for a pie), I currently use an old-style coffee grinder. It takes small amounts (like 2 tbsp at a time) of poppy seeds and grinds them into powder in 2-3 minutes.

What happens if you don't soak poppy seeds? ›

Failing to soak poppy seeds won't affect the taste of your bread or other baked goods. However, soaking them in water can help remove their hard outer shell, making them easier to digest.

Should poppy seeds be toasted before baking? ›

Many bakers are used to toasting nuts and sesame seeds before baking them, and poppies are no different. “Since the temperature of most finished doughs doesn't exceed 210ºF,” says Pellicano, “I usually toast the seeds first in a 300ºF oven.

Why can't you eat poppy seed bagels? ›

Service members may want to hold off ordering that "everything" bagel. It's not an urban legend: Eating poppy seeds can cause diners to test positive for codeine on a urinalysis, Defense Department officials said in a memo released yesterday.

Is poppy seeds good for high blood pressure? ›

Poppy seeds are also rich in iron and improve the circulation of blood. Blood pressure levels are kept under control with the use of poppy seeds and they also contain Omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial in reducing the chances of cardiovascular diseases.

Can I eat the seeds from my poppies? ›

All parts of poppies except the seeds are toxic, but they can be easily contaminated if not prepared properly. This is something that should only be done by a reputable company, so it is important to only buy poppy seeds for use in baking from one of these companies.

Which poppy is best for baking? ›

Best Poppy Seeds for Baking | Color

Blue poppy seeds have the best flavor and the best harvest comes from the European climate. Other countries have attempted to match the flavor profile of the European Blue Poppy Seeds, but the unique weather makes it impossible.

Why do bakers use poppy seeds? ›

Poppy seeds perform several functions in baked goods such as: Flavor: provide a rich nutty flavor, may be intensified by toasting. Aroma: provide a mild nutty aroma. Texture: contributes a crunchy texture.

What kind of poppy do you use for baking? ›

The majority of poppy seeds used for food come from the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. Although these seeds do have opium content, the amount used for cooking purposes is extremely small.

What is the most famous German cake? ›

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (known as Black Forest gâteau or Black Forest cake in other parts of the world) is something for which we can never thank the Germans enough.

What is the most famous German dessert? ›

Here are some of the most popular German cakes and desserts: Black Forest cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte): This famous cake consists of several layers of chocolate sponge cake, whipped cream, and cherries soaked in kirsch, a cherry liqueur.

What is a famous German bakery item? ›

German desserts
NameDescription
FranzbrötchenA small, sweet pastry, baked with butter and cinnamon.
FriesentorteLayer cake made with whipped cream, puff pastry and plum jam. A specialty of North Frisia and East Frisia.
GugelhupfA marble cake or Bundt cake.
58 more rows

How do you soak poppy seeds quickly? ›

Using the water, milk, or oil from the recipe (that's key) soak the poppy seeds thoroughly. That now becomes your poppy seed mixture. The recipe above calls for 1 to 2 hours. The warmer the milk or water, the quicker that process will take place (some recipes call for 30 minutes, but I'd go at least 1 hour).

Should you soak seeds before baking? ›

Soaking seeds and grains (especially grains) before you bake with them is important for many reasons: 1. It makes them soft so they are more pleasant in the mouth and easier to chew completely so they won't break your teeth, take out your fillings, and are easier to digest. 2.

Is it safe to bake with poppy seeds? ›

Before Papaver somniferum seeds can be used in baking, they are carefully dried and prepared. This process also removes the possibility of serious side effects by greatly reducing the amount of the opium alkaloid they contain that allows them to be legally used in your kitchen.

Can I just sprinkle poppy seeds? ›

Pour some poppy seeds into your hand and sprinkle them very thinly across the ground to create natural looking drifts. Allow 7-30 days to germinate, depending on the variety, soil condition and growing temperatures. Keep the soil moist during germination.

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