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    Home » Recipes » German Recipes

    German Fruit Flan - Easy and Fast Obsttorte Recipe

    Published: May 6, 2022 by Angela Schofield · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    If you're a fan of desserts with cake and fruit, then you'll love this German fruit flan. This simple and easy-to-make cake combines an airy sponge cake layer with a light buttercream and a fresh fruit topping. It's perfect for a special occasion or just for enjoying on a lazy day.

    German fruit flan also known as Obsttorte or Obstkuchen in Germany is a delicious easy to prep cake that can be made from start to serving in less than one hour! That is why this quick dessert is the go-to recipe in Germany when unannounced visitors ring the doorbell in the afternoon.

    If you have visited Germany, you probably have noticed that cake is a must for many people at the famous German coffee hour at 4 pm. when people enjoy to visit friends or meet in one of the cozy cafes to chat and enjoy the famous German Gemütlichkeit with a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.

    What is a German Flan?

    A German flan is a sponge cake based cake that is topped with a layer of buttercream or vanilla custard and fresh or canned fruit. The cake is glazed with a clear or red fruit glaze to preserve the cake.

    This recipe is the quick and easy version of a German fruit flan but you can find the recipe for a Konditorei (German patisserie) version of a German strawberry torte here. The torte is the richer and fancier version of this sponge cake. It combines a sponge cake and a shortcrust layer that are filled with a luxurious amount of creamy vanilla custard and topped with fresh strawberries and a flavorful glaze.

    If you want to take advantage of the speed and easiness of this recipe but don´t want to miss out on a rich vanilla buttercream flavour, then top the cake layer of this recipe with the creamy vanilla pudding buttercream and canned fruit.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top Tip
    • How to Serve
    • Video Tutorial
    • Recipe
    • More Delicious German Cakes You Need to Try

    Ingredients

    The ingredients for the Tortenboden aka Obstboden can be made from just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

    What is a Tortenboden also known as Obstboden?

    A Tortenboden also known as Obstboden is a simple sponge cake layer that is usually baked in a tart pan. You can buy premade Tortenboden at bakeries and in supermarkets in Germany. But with this recipe you can make your Obstboden with just a few ingredients in way less time than a run to the shops.

    What is Tortenguss?

    Tortenguss is a cake glaze powder. It is conveniently sold in small pouches in Europe. Water or fruit juice is added to the powder and cooked to a glaze in only a few minutes. The glaze is used to preserve fruit on flan cakes and tarts.

    How to Pronounce Obsttorte in German?

    Click on the play button to hear how to say Obsttorte in German.

    Ingredients for German Flan cake: eggs, sugar, oil, flower, baking powder

    Ingredients for the Tortenboden aka Obstboden cake base:

    • 4 eggs
    • ⅔ cups sugar
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)
    • 9 tbsp. neutral vegetable oil
    • ⅔ cups flour
    • 1 ¾ tsp. baking powder

    For the buttercream and berry topping

    • 1 stick butter
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 1 tsp. almond extract or vanilla extract
    • 1 tbsp. warm water
    • 16 oz. strawberries
    • 8 oz. blueberries
    • 1 pouch "Tortenguss" or homemade fruit flan glaze

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    whisking egg with sugar

    Start by adding the room temperature eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and a tablespoon of warm water to a mixing bowl.

    whisking eggs to a light and fluffy texture

    Beat first on low and then on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.

    adding oil to the micing bowl

    Add oil while whisking the batter.

    sifting flour to the mixing bowl

    Sift flour and baking powder to the mixture.

    folding flour into egg mixture

    Fold the flour-baking-powder mixture carefully into the batter.

    spraying tart pan with oil

    Spray a fruit flan pan lightly with oil.

    pouring cake batter into a baking pan

    Pour batter into the pan. Bake for 20-30 min. at 350°F in a preheated oven.

    cutting strawberries

    In the meantime clean berries and cut strawberries into halves or slices.

    mixing powdered sugar with soft butter in a white bowl

    Add the soft butter, almond or vanilla extract to a bowl and mix to a creamy texture. Sift powdered sugar to the bowl and mix until smooth and creamy.

    spreading buttercream on a cake that lays on a glass cake plate

    Spread the simple buttercream on the completely cooled cake.

    preparing cake glaze in saucepan

    Prepare fruit glaze. Set aside to cool slightly.

    adding glaze to fruit cake

    Arrange the berries on the buttercream.. Then carefully cover all fruit with the lukewarm glaze and allow to set completely before serving.

    Hint: You can prepare the sponge cake layer the day before and add the buttercream and the fruit the next day.

    Substitutions

    • Low Carb - use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour and a keto friendly sweetener to enjoy this cake with less carbs.
    • Butter - use melted butter instead of oil to give this cake a delightful buttery flavor.
    • Native Coconut Oil - swap the neutral vegetable oil for native coconut oil to give this cake a tropical touch.
    German fruit flan cake with slices of kiwi, orange mandarins, strawberries and grapes. Decorated with dollops of whipped cream and chocolates.

    Variations

    Try these additions and swaps to enjoy different variations of this wonderful cake.

    • Tropical - use mango, pineapples, bananas and other tropical fruit instead of strawberries.
    • Vanilla Pudding - prepare a box of instant vanilla pudding or German homemade vanilla cream pudding instead of buttercream.
    • Chocolate - Sprinkle some chocolate shavings over the cake or add some heavy cream rosettes with a chocolate truffle as garnish.

    You prefer plums? Try this authentic German plum cake recipe on my website!

    Equipment

    I like to beat my eggs in a stand mixer. It takes about 5 minutes to beat the eggs with the sugar to a fluffy, light texture. But you can also us a hand mixer to achieve a great result. Please keep in mind that this will take a few minutes longer.

    Storage

    German fruit flan tastes best fresh but you can store it for several days covered in the fridge.

    The sponge layer freezes well, just make sure to thaw it at room temperature.

    Top Tip

    Use a common round cake pan if you don´t have a fruit tart pan.

    How to Serve

    Traditionally German fruit flan is served with a generous dollop of heavy cream and a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

    Video Tutorial

    Recipe

    German fruit flan cake with strawberries and blueberries on a glass cake plate.

    German Fruit Flan - Obsttorte

    Angela Schofield
    German fruit tarts are a delicious way to enjoy the season and taste best with ripe, fresh fruit.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Share on Facebook Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Course Cakes
    Cuisine German
    Servings 14 pieces
    Calories 189 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Tortenboden - Cake Base

    • 4 eggs
    • ⅔ cups sugar
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract optional
    • 1 tbsp. hot water
    • 9 tbsp. neutral vegetable oil
    • ⅔ cups flour
    • 1 ¾ tsp. baking powder

    Buttercream

    • 1 stick butter
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 1 tsp. almond extract or 1 tbsp. vanilla extract

    Topping

    • 16 oz. strawberries fresh
    • 8 oz. blueberries fresh

    Glaze

    • 1 pouch cake glaze or recipe or homemade glaze s. link to recipe in the notes

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    • Add the room temperature eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and a tablespoon of warm water to a mixing bowl. Whisk until light and fluffy. This will take about 5 minutes.
    • Add the oil while whisking constantly.
    • Sift flour and baking powder to the bowl and carefully fold in.
    • Spray a fruit flan pan lightly with oil and add the cake batter.
    • Bake for 20-30 min. at 350°F in a preheated oven.
    • Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
    • In the meantime, wash the berries and tap dry. Remove stems and cut strawberries into halves or slices.
    • Add the soft butter, almond or vanilla extract to a bowl and mix to a creamy texture.
    • Sift powdered sugar to the bowl and mix until smooth and creamy.
    • Spread evenly on the completely cooled cake layer.
    • Prepare the glaze according to the package instructions or prepare a homemade fruit flan glaze. Then set aside to cool slightly.
    • In the meantime, arrange the berries on the buttercream.
    • Carefully cover all fruit with the lukewarm glaze and allow to set completely before serving.

    Notes

    Recipe for the homemade glaze.

    Nutrition

    Yield: 1pieceCalories: 189kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 21g
    Keyword easy, quick
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Angela framed by German landscape

    Guten Tag, I'm Angela,
    Herzlich willkommen! I'm glad you've stopped by.

    It is a joy to share with you some of my all-time favorite authentic German recipes and tell you a little bit about the cultural background of my home country, Germany.

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