A kugel has a base of something starchy, usually noodles or potatoes. Then, the starch is blended with some sort of custard made up of eggs and some dairy, often cottage cheese or farmers' cheese, and often sour cream. There is also some sort of fat, often butter. Kugels are baked and usually quite filling and dense in texture. The word kugel comes from the old German word "sphere", which refers to the shape of the original circular puffed kugels. Most kugels now are baked in baking pans.