Food - Drink
Frankfurter Kranz: Germany's 18th-Century Crown Cake
By MOLLY HARRIS
What Is Crown Cake?
Frankfurter Kranz, or crown cake, is a beloved German dessert that dates back to the 1700s. The Frankfurter Kranz consists of layers of sponge cake, buttercream, and jelly with cherries and caramelized nuts to top it all off, and thanks to its regal shape, it has earned the nickname “crown cake.”
History
The Frankfurter Kranz can be traced back to the city of Frankfurt, where it was first created in 1735 to celebrate the German Emperor's coronation. Aside from the coronation, it’s also said that the cake's regal shape pays tribute to Frankfurt as the “crown city,” and the cake has a decadent flavor to match.
Ingredients
The Frankfurter Kranz requires simple yet high-quality ingredients to create a rich and indulgent flavor. For your sponge cake, you’ll need eggs, sugar, and flour, while the buttercream is made with butter, sugar, and vanilla, and for the caramelized nuts you can opt for hazelnuts or almonds.
How to Make It
To make Frankfurter Kranz, start by baking a sponge cake, then slice it into three layers, and add buttercream and jelly between each layer of cake. Once layered, coat the cake in more buttercream, and top with caramelized nuts and cherries to add a delicious crunch and a regal finish to the dessert.