German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (2024)

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Sorry friends if you are on a diet but the hubby is baking again today. This is a recipe that I’ve been wanting to share for a really long time. We’ve had this recipe since before my son was born, so about 15 years and I remember translating it into English for my husband.

Every time I go to Germany, I go to our local bakery and order their loaded “Mohnkuchen” and you just can’t get anything close to it here in the US. So this is about the closest recipe to it I have.
It’s so so good but unfortunately not gluten-free. My husband might try to come up with a gluten-free version yet. He’s tried once but it needs tweaking.
He baked this for my birthday and I took pictures of him making it for me.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (1)

In Germany, you use “Quark” for this recipe which is similar to sour cream and yogurt but we came up with a mixture of sour cream and ricotta. Quark is a little bit more bitter though which is why I love our mixture.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (2)

Germans use a lot of Vanillin Sugar for baking which you can findHEREbut you can also use a mixture of sugar and vanilla beans which I have in my ingredients list. We stick with the German packages though.

I haven’t been able tofind a large amount of poppy seeds required for this cake at the local grocery stores here. So I buy mine…wait take a guess…yup… Amazon. See the one I buyHERE.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (3)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (4)

Germans also cook and bake with a scale not cups. So we just bought a little scale (HERE) and use that for German recipes which you can see in the photos. Or you can just use an online converter likeTHISandTHIS

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Dough:

  • 150g quark (my mixture of 2 parts ricotta and 1 part sour cream)
  • 75g sugar
  • 300g flour
  • 6 tbsp milk
  • 6tbspvegetable oil
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • a pinch of salt

For the filling:

  • 500ml milk
  • 40g of butter
  • 60g of semolina
  • German Vanilla SugarHERE(similar to ½ vanilla bean and 4 tbsp of sugar)
  • 8 oz bag of poppy seedsHERE
  • 6-8 tbsp of sugar (depending how sweet you like it)
  • 2 eggs
  • a sprinkle of cinnamon

Forthestreusels:

  • 200g flour
  • 100g butter (room temperature)
  • 100g sugar

Preheat the oven to 375F

Start out by making the streusel so they can sit in the fridge while you make the rest of the cake:
Simply combine the butter, sugar, and flour in a bowl and knead it into a dough, and put it in the fridge.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (5)

Then it’s time for the bottom dough:

Mix the dough ingredients together. My husband likes to slowly mix in the flour and then knead it all to a soft dough.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (6)

We use a greased 9 x 13ish pan and spread the dough out into it which you can see below.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (8)

Then you need to move on to the poppy seed filling:

Heat up the milk and butter in a pot until it starts to boil, add in the semolina, the sugar, and the Vanillin Sugar, and let it start to boil again while stirring. Quickly remove it from the stove and let the mixture soak for 5 minutes.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (9)

After that, you can add the poppy seeds, cinnamon, and eggs.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (10)

Mix it really well to avoid clumps and spread everything over the dough.

(Some German bakeries add raisins to the poppy seed mixture but I hate that. When I go to a bakery I ask if the cake has raisins in it and if it does, I don’t buy it. I usually like raisins but not in my Mohnkuchen)

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (11)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (12)

Now it’s time to add the streusels/crumbles. Take the dough out of the fridge and crumble it over the poppy seed filling like my husband is doing in the below photo.

It should look similar to the photo below.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (13)

Then out the pan in the 375F oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. It should look similar to the browned cake below when done.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (14)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (15)

At the end dust it with powdered sugar and ENJOY!

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (16)

YUM, my absolute favorite!

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (17)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (18)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (19)
German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (20)

You have to try this one. It’s also one of my son’s favorite cakes. He also loves the Boston Banoffee Pie my hubby makes and which you can findHERE.

If you are into German cooking and traditions then check out my favorite German Christmas decorations, my favorite German wooden Christmas ornaments, and my otherGerman decorshowcased in a Christmas home tour from a previous year.

Tschüß.

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (21)

Here are some more of my hubby’s baking recipes (the photos will take you to see the posts):

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (24)

Boston Banoffee Pie

German Poppy Seed Streusel Crumble Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you have to soak poppy seeds before baking? ›

At least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) before making the batter, stir the poppy seeds into 1/4 cup (60 ml) hot water (this step softens the poppy seeds so they are more digestible). Let sit at room temperature. Then strain.

Why do people put poppy seeds in muffins? ›

Poppy Seeds: These itty-bitty seeds add a mild nutty flavor and slight crunch to baked goods. I love them on bagels, too! Butter: Creamed butter gives these muffins a cake-like texture; plus, it adds deliciously buttery flavor.

How do you grind poppy seeds? ›

Grinding: For electric grinders, simply add the poppy seeds to the grinder and pulse or grind until you achieve the desired consistency. It's essential to avoid overfilling the grinder to ensure an even grind.

Do you toast poppy seeds? ›

Toast poppy seeds before using to release their oils and bring out their flavor. Simply place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant. Store poppy seed in a container with a tight-fitting lid and place in a cool, dark cupboard, away from direct heat or sunlight.

What happens if you don't soak poppy seeds? ›

No, we don't find it necessary to soak poppy seeds before adding them to this recipe. What happens if you don't soak poppy seeds? Failing to soak poppy seeds won't affect the taste of your bread or other baked goods. However, soaking them in water can help remove their hard outer shell, making them easier to digest.

Should poppy seeds be toasted before baking? ›

Many bakers are used to toasting nuts and sesame seeds before baking them, and poppies are no different. “Since the temperature of most finished doughs doesn't exceed 210ºF,” says Pellicano, “I usually toast the seeds first in a 300ºF oven.

Is it safe to bake with poppy seeds? ›

Before Papaver somniferum seeds can be used in baking, they are carefully dried and prepared. This process also removes the possibility of serious side effects by greatly reducing the amount of the opium alkaloid they contain that allows them to be legally used in your kitchen.

Is poppy seeds good for high blood pressure? ›

Poppy seeds are also rich in iron and improve the circulation of blood. Blood pressure levels are kept under control with the use of poppy seeds and they also contain Omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial in reducing the chances of cardiovascular diseases.

Can I skip poppy seeds in a recipe? ›

We should never skip any ingredient, instead we should replace it with the ingredients that are easily available. That's why measurement also matters a lot. You can use melon seeds instead of poppy seeds. However, there will be a difference in the flavour compared to the actual recipe.

Are poppy seeds good for you? ›

Poppy seeds also provide the body with 2% to 4% of the daily needs for iron in one teaspoon. Iron is important for carrying oxygen throughout the body and helps us have a healthy immune system. 3. Zinc helps to regulate growth and development of new cells and the structure of proteins.

Why do people grind poppy seeds? ›

The poppy seed for fillings are best when they are finely and freshly ground because this will make a big difference in the pastry filling's texture and taste.

Can I just throw poppy seeds on the ground? ›

Sprinkle the seeds directly on the ground. This can even be done with snow on the ground, just sprinkle seeds on top of the snow, and as the snow melts down, the seeds will reach the soil. Because poppy seeds are so small, you can mix the seeds with some sand to help you distribute the seeds evenly.

What is the difference between blue and black poppy seeds? ›

For the most part, blue and black poppy seeds are the same in flavor and usage, despite the slight color difference. White poppy seeds are used more as a thickening agent in Middle Eastern cuisine, where as blue or black poppy seeds are used for flavoring and/or decorating breads and pastries.

What is the difference between white and blue poppy seeds? ›

All in all, there are over 100 different types of poppy, which each have different colour seeds ranging from blue (or black), to grey or white. There are also differences in taste – blue poppy seeds are spicy, grey poppy seeds are milder and white poppy seeds are the nuttiest.

What is the difference between white and black poppy seeds? ›

The main differences are: Size: Black poppy seeds are slightly smaller. Flavor: black has a nuttier flavor; white is milder. Usage: black for savory, white for baked goods and desserts.

Should you soak seeds before baking? ›

Soaking seeds and grains (especially grains) before you bake with them is important for many reasons: 1. It makes them soft so they are more pleasant in the mouth and easier to chew completely so they won't break your teeth, take out your fillings, and are easier to digest. 2.

Can I just sprinkle poppy seeds? ›

Pour some poppy seeds into your hand and sprinkle them very thinly across the ground to create natural looking drifts. Allow 7-30 days to germinate, depending on the variety, soil condition and growing temperatures. Keep the soil moist during germination.

How do you soak seeds before baking? ›

Leave on counter 12-24 hours. Generally, the bigger the seed the longer the soaking time. 6. Drain away soaking water and rinse thoroughly.

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