Kuchen

Kuchen(German pronunciation:[ˈkuːxən]), theGermanword forcake, is used in other languages as the name for several different types of savory or sweetdesserts,pastries, and gateaux. Most Kuchen have eggs, flour and sugar as common ingredients while also, but not always, including some fat. (The sugar might possibly be replaced by honey or even, in cakes directed to diabetic people or people on a diet, a sugar substitute.) In theGermanosphereit is a common tradition to invite friends over to one's house or to a cafe between noon and evening to drink coffee and eat Kuchen ("Kaffee und Kuchen").
The term itself may cover as many distinct desserts as its English counterpart "cake". However, the word "cake" covers both Kuchen andTorte, sometimes confused with one another, the key difference being that a Torte is a Kuchen that is decorated or layered with cream, frosting,ganache, or fruit based filling after baking. A Kuchen is typically less decorative or fancy in nature. On the other hand, the word "Kuchen" covers desserts that English would call "pie", such asApfelkuchen(apple pie). Examples of a Torte made from a base Kuchen include the JewishPalacsinken TorteandMohn Torte(or Kindli).
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People who trace their ancestry to the group known asGermans from Russiacall a pastry like the first half of this definition "Kuchen." It is not called Obstkuchen. It is not at all like a fruit cake and it does not have an icing. It is the official South Dakota State Desert. (See the Germans from Russia Heritage Society [grhs.org] and onFacebook, Germans from Russia Food and Culture.)
Kuchen also does not have to fall under a sweet category as there are savory variations of it as well. These are called Pikante Kuchen, with examples such asZwiebelkuchen,Speckkuchen, and Kartoffelkuchen (often paired with fresh wine or beer).
In theUnited States, back whenJewish immigrantswere first arriving in the country, many of the recipes that they brought with them utilized dried fruits as it was difficult to come across fresh ones in their home countries. One that was particularly favored is compote. Desserts have long since changed to become more sophisticated as fresh fruits are now abundant.
Lekachis a Jewish honey cake of German origin. It comes fromLebkuchen, or honey-sweetened gingerbread. This has roots from as early as the twelfth century, when it was customary for boys attending heder (school for Jewish children) to bring a piece of honey cake to the first day of school.
Rugelachis a form of the rolled-pastry variation of Kuchen. They are usually filled with nuts and raisins, with a pastry composed of cheese curds and sour cream.
Mandelbrot, which literally means almond bread, resembles and is served toasted like bread despite not being made of bread dough. They are commonly paired with sweet wine, and when compared toBiscottithey are more "cakey" and softer.
Kuchen dessert recipes are presumably handed down from people of German heritage and as such are often popular in many areas of which currently speak or formerly spoke theGerman language in the United States, particularlyMontana,North Dakota,South Dakota,Indiana,Minnesota, andWisconsin.
Kuchen was introduced intoChilean cuisinewhenGerman immigrantssettledsouthern Chilein the 1850s. Kuchen inChileusually have fruits, such as apples, strawberries ormurtas. Nontraditional Chilean Kuchen with walnuts are sometimes offered. Now Kuchen are found in many Chilean bakeries and in many of the larger supermarkets.
InBrazilit is called "cuca", or less commonly, "cuque" and can be found in areas of German settlement, likeRio Grande do Sul,ParanáandSanta Catarinastates.
The Frenchquichewas influencedby the savory version of German Kuchen and is now known as a traditional French dish.
In 2000, a Kuchen was designated the statedessertofSouth Dakota.Introduced byGerman settlersin the 1870s, Kuchen is now found throughout the state and can be found in peach, apple, prune and chocolate pecan variations.