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Prize-Winning German Cinnamon Swirl Kuchen

Several years ago three of our high school boys had the privilege of taking an online German class.  They had an inside track because the university professor attended our church, so she met with them weekly for live tutoring sessions.

 

At the end of the school year they entered several categories in the annual high school German festival “Deutsch Fest.” In the search for projects, one of them found a recipe for a delicious German cinnamon coffee cake. They also entered a Lego creation of a German castle and a cross-stitched bookmark, both of which won prizes.  Their hilarious skit (in German) and prose reading also placed first.  It was rather satisfying to hear “Siems Homeschool” named several times at the awards ceremony among the large state high schools.

 

Alas, the beautiful Cinnamon Swirl Kuchen didn’t place.

 

But it got first place at the County Fair a couple of years later, thus earning the title of “Prize-Winning.”

 

Cinnamon Swirl Kuchen

 

(Note:  the original recipe called for 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup shortening–we substituted to avoid shortening)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 1/3 cups sugar, divided
4 eggs
1 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

 

In a large bowl, cream the butter, coconut oil and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

 

Combine milk and vanilla; set aside.  Sift together flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk mixture, beating just enough after each addition to keep batter smooth.  Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons into a greased bundt pan.

 

Pour one-third of batter into pan.  Sprinkle half of remaining cinnamon/sugar; top with one-third of batter.  Repeat with remaining cinnamon/sugar and batter. Smooth top with spatula.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, 15 minutes.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

We haven’t had a perfect removal from the pan yet, but boy, it tastes great.

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About Charlotte

I'm a grateful wife & mom of 12 amazing persons. I love to inspire & teach busy women to find beauty in everyday life by caring for themselves, creating comfortable homes with their families and living out ordinary days with grace and gratitude. I'd love to encourage YOU!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen says

    March 16, 2017 at 7:53 pm

    This looks delicious. I think I might try it for an Easter snack for my family before all the company comes. I enjoy reading your blog but don’t comment to show my appreciation. So, I thought I could at least share my German recipe with you. I found it in “Family Fun” magazine over 10 years ago, and have been making it several times a year since.
    Apple Kuchen
    3 c. sliced and peeled apples 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
    1 Tbs. lemon juice 1/4 tsp. salt
    1 1/4c. sugar, divided 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
    1 tsp. cinnamon 2 c. flour
    2 eggs, beaten 1 c. sour cream, light or regular
    1 c. butter, melted 1 egg
    cinnamon/sugar
    Grease a 9×13 pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl mix apple slices, lemon juice, 1/4c. sugar, and cinnamon. In a large bowl, mix melted butter and 1 c. sugar. Add 2 beaten eggs, and vanilla. Stir in salt and baking powder. Add flour. Spread in pan. Top with apple mixture. Mix sour cream and 1 egg in a small bowl. Spread on top of apples. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 35 minutes or more until lightly browned. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

    Reply
  2. Lisa Manske says

    March 24, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    This looks delicious! I come from a family of German and Scandinavian cooks and this is what I call comfort food! Thank you for sharing the recipe. I also think I’ll make it for Easter.

    Non-hydrogenated palm shortening is an option for anyone who wants to do half butter, half shortening.

    Reply

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I'm a grateful wife & mom of 12 amazing persons. I love to inspire & teach busy women to find beauty in everyday life by caring for themselves, creating comfortable homes with their families and living out ordinary days with grace and gratitude. I'd love to encourage YOU! Read More…

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Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special f Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special for Easter! Mini Robin Eggs turn the cookies into tiny nests. Recipe for the cookies and Resurrection Rolls over at the blog!
Easter week and we need all the energy and happy b Easter week and we need all the energy and happy brain we can get! Thicker hair and strong nails are kinda nice, too. Quick and simple is my mom jam, so mixing it all together works great. Some “plant stuff” tastes like grass clippings, this isn’t that. 😂 I can help you choose, let’s chat!
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Celebrate all the things!! Our daughter got a spot Celebrate all the things!! Our daughter got a spot in cosmetology school so we threw a family beauty-themed party. Not one homemade decoration or treat, nothing fancy or overwhelming!  We just gathered stuff around the house for the theme and bought inexpensive party trimmings. Frozen cream puffs, mini cookies and candy (Easter colors were perfect), and “Bugles” for “nail tips.”  Done! Better a simple party with fun than a fancy party with stress!
I think it’s natural for us to want to feel beau I think it’s natural for us to want to feel beautiful. Why should we be embarrassed to admit that? Spring flowers, Fall leaves, Winter snowflakes and Summer sunsets are all beautiful. Different colors, textures and sizes—but each exquisite. What could change if you looked in the mirror with LOVE and appreciation for YOUR one-of-a-kind beauty?💕
The top of a tall bedroom dresser is a great spot The top of a tall bedroom dresser is a great spot for a seasonal arrangement. Tiny red berries and antique gold branches were added for Christmas. Orange bittersweet stems and scattered leaves could give it a Fall feel. A pretty arrangement helps keep the dresser top from getting cluttered with mail and coins and papers. Your bedroom is the first and last thing you see every day, so give yourself a visual treat—something that YOU enjoy seeing.🌷
Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special f Our family favorite No-Bake Cookies made special for Easter! Mini Robin Eggs turn the cookies into tiny nests. Recipe for the cookies and Resurrection Rolls over at the blog!
Easter week and we need all the energy and happy b Easter week and we need all the energy and happy brain we can get! Thicker hair and strong nails are kinda nice, too. Quick and simple is my mom jam, so mixing it all together works great. Some “plant stuff” tastes like grass clippings, this isn’t that. 😂 I can help you choose, let’s chat!
Sure, thoughts pop into your head but you don’t Sure, thoughts pop into your head but you don’t have to pull up a chair and turn on a movie for them. Don’t let them hang around long enough to bring you down and shape your emotions. Show them the door and turn your attention to thoughts that serve you well. Think on THOSE things. 💕
My favorite thing about our 80’s house: big wind My favorite thing about our 80’s house: big windows, almost ceiling to floor. Give me all the light! Favorite thing about photo filters: they camouflage dirty windows. **cat unintentionally included in scene, literally came out of nowhere 😳
“Older women shouldn’t wear colorful or sparkl “Older women shouldn’t wear colorful or sparkly eyeshadow.” Fashion advice I’m NOT listening to.💋Eyeshadow is the most FUN part of makeup for me, and I love variety! Many women prefer neutral/natural/no-makeup looks. Y’all go ahead! You do you! I’ll be over here with the purples and blues and greens and alllll the shimmers.😂💄What’s YOUR makeup look?
I don’t remember how it started, but decorating I don’t remember how it started, but decorating for the seasons has been part of the rhythm of our family life for years. I was determined to create a home where good memories could be made. Small holidays and seasonal touches mark the passage of time and anchor traditions. Sometimes the decor is very simple, sometimes more elaborate—but I’m always glad I made the effort!
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