Kuchen
The word ‘kuchen’ means ‘cake’ in the German language. There are many different types of cake that are common to Germans, but the recipe that most people of German-Russian descent think of when they hear the word ‘kuchen’ is a dessert with a yeast dough crust and a custard filling baked into a pie pan.
Yeast in the Early Days
The first rising bread dough was probably created by accident when old dough that had a chance to grow wild yeast was incorporated into a newer batch of dough. Later, German-Russians created yeast for their bread by fermenting wine. In a large pot the wine was warmed, and when foam was created on top it would be skimmed off and ladled into a nearby pot filled with corn flour. The mash was formed into a paste, and then formed into patties where it was left to dry. After the patties were dry, they would be stored in a fabric bag and hung in a cool, dry place. When needed, the patties were broken into warm water and dissolved, then made into bread dough.
Kuchen Recipe
Kuchen Sweet Roll Dough
4 c. Flour
1tsp salt
½ c. shortenting
½ c. sugar
1 pkg. yeast
3 eggs, beaten
1 c. warm milk
Mix flour, salt and shortening as pie crust. Dissolve yeast in ½ cup warm milk. Add yeast, eggs and remaining warm milk to mixture. Mix and let rise overnight. Knead down if needed. This will make enough dough for 5-6 kuchens
Kuchen Filling
4 eggs
1 Tbsp. flour
1 c. sugar
2 c. cream
1 tsp. vanilla
Put dough in small pie pan. Mix a little sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top of cream filling. Bake at 375 about 20 minutes or until brown.
4 c. Flour
1tsp salt
½ c. shortenting
½ c. sugar
1 pkg. yeast
3 eggs, beaten
1 c. warm milk
Mix flour, salt and shortening as pie crust. Dissolve yeast in ½ cup warm milk. Add yeast, eggs and remaining warm milk to mixture. Mix and let rise overnight. Knead down if needed. This will make enough dough for 5-6 kuchens
Kuchen Filling
4 eggs
1 Tbsp. flour
1 c. sugar
2 c. cream
1 tsp. vanilla
Put dough in small pie pan. Mix a little sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top of cream filling. Bake at 375 about 20 minutes or until brown.