Last Updated on May 10, 2022
Today, we’re going to be looking at a German Easter lamb cake recipe. While you may not be too familiar with the tradition of an Easter lamb cake, they are incredibly popular in Germany. Not only do they look absolutely stunning, but they’re also absolutely delicious too!
But how do you go about making one? Let’s take a closer look. And don’t worry, it’s much easier than you may think.
What is a German Easter Lamb Cake?
A German Easter lamb cake is very important to those in Germany. It’s a very simple cake, but very visually pleasing. It’s a cake that’s completely covered in powdered sugar.
But what’s most unique about this cake, is that it’s in the shape of a lamb! While we know it as a German Easter cake, in Germany it’s an osterlamm.
Ingredients in German Easter Lamb Cake
The ingredients of a German Easter lamb cake can vary slightly, depending on where you get your cake from. However, the most common ingredients in this cake are:
- butter
- sugar
- eggs
- all-purpose flour
- vanilla extract
- baking powder
- salt
- whole milk
- powdered sugar
Nutritional Information of German Easter Lamb Cake
The nutritional information on German Easter lamb cake is quite vague. But a typical slice of German cake contains the following nutritional value:
- Calories: 403
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 54g
- Sugars: 36g
- Dietary Fiber: 2.4g
- Protein: 4g
German Easter Cake Recipe
When it comes to making a German Easter lamb cake, the most important piece of equipment you’ll need is a cake mold of a sheep. It’s worth noting that these are quite tricky to find if you’re not living in Germany. However, I’ve managed to find this one online, which works perfectly for our recipe. (I told you it was far easier than it first appeared – you do not need to make the sheep itself!)
Zenker Variant Easter Baking Mould Set
The recipe we’re going to be looking at today is inspired by Java Cupcake.
Ingredients
The ingredients you’ll need for this recipe are:
- most importantly, the lamb cake mould (listed above)
- 120g of unsalted butter (room temp.)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
- 160g of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of milk
- powdered sugar for dusting (as much as you desire)
Recipe
Now all you need to do is complete the following steps:
Step 1: Prepare
Firstly, you’ll need to preheat your oven – depending on your oven it needs to be 350F or 180 degrees. You’ll need to grease the inside of the lamb mould. Ensure you do this with both butter and flour.
Once you’ve done so, press the mould back together and place it on a baking sheet. Ensure the lamb mould is upside down.
Step 2: Make the batter
Grab a bowl and add the sugar and butter. Cream with a whisk for around two minutes, until light and fluffy. Now, individually add the eggs to the mix; ensuring the previous egg is incorporated before adding the next.
Once mixed, add the vanilla extract and combine well. In a separate bowl, mix the salt, baking powder, and flour until combined. Now add the flour and butter mixes together until just combined.
Now add the milk and mix for around one minute. Try not to mix too much.
Step 3: Bake the cake
Grab your lamb mould and pour all of the batter inside. Ensure the top is smooth. Bake in the center of an oven for around 45 minutes. When removing it from the oven, you’ll need to leave the lamb to cool down before removing it from the mould. Once cooled, place on the wire rack to cool entirely.
Step 4: Decorate
You may need to remove extra cake from the edges if it isn’t neat. You can also remove some of the bottom of the cake if it isn’t sitting straight. Now dust the entire cake with the sugar – as much, or as little as you want. You can decorate the cake with chocolate if you want to enhance the lamb’s face. You can even use a piece of ribbon to place around the lamb’s neck. It’s now ready to eat!
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped to perfect a German Easter lamb cake recipe. With Easter almost here, the Osterlamm is the ideal treat to enjoy with your family, particularly if you’re of the Catholic faith. Remember, it isn’t anywhere near as difficult as it first seems, and you can impress everyone with this showstopper of a cake. Not to mention, it’s incredibly tasty.
Do you know of any tips and tricks when it comes to making German Easter lamb cakes? Or do you have your own German Easter lamb cake recipe you’d like to share with us? If so, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring.
Read more about Iced Cake Vodka Recipe: How To.
FAQs
Why Do People Get a Lamb Cake for Easter?
In Germany, a lamb is sacrified around the Easter period. Because of this, the lamb cake is baked to symbolize the ressurection of the Easter lamb and it's very important to the Catholic faith. In fact, the symbolism of the lamb dates back to the Passover Lamb. This is the lamb that was sacrified for Passover, in the Judaism faith.
How Do You Make a Sheep Cake?
You don't have to be particularly creative to make a sheep cake! It seems almost impossible at first - but it actually's just made using a lamb pan (a mould in the shape of a lamb). It really is that easy. You just pour the cake batter into the lamb pan and cake in the oven.
Where Did the Lamb Cake Originate?
The lamb caked originated in Germany, which is where it gets the name: Osterlamm. While other parts of the world make the Easter cake around the Easter period, it doesn't hold the same importance as to those who are in Germany, and of Catholic faith.
German Easter Cake
Ingredients
- 120 g unsalted butter (room temp.)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 160 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp milk
- powdered sugar for dusting (as much as you desire)
Instructions
- Firstly, you'll need to preheat your oven – depending on your oven it needs to be 350F or 180 degrees. You'll need to grease the inside of the lamb mould. Ensure you do this with both butter and flour.Once you've done so, press the mould back together and place it on a baking sheet. Ensure the lamb mould is upside down.
- Grab a bowl and add the sugar and butter. Cream with a whisk for around two minutes, until light and fluffy. Now, individually add the eggs to the mix; ensuring the previous egg is incorporated before adding the next.Once mixed, add the vanilla extract and combine well. In a separate bowl, mix the salt, baking powder, and flour until combined. Now add the flour and butter mixes together until just combined.Now add the milk and mix for around one minute. Try not to mix too much.
- Grab your lamb mould and pour all of the batter inside. Ensure the top is smooth. Bake in the center of an oven for around 45 minutes. When removing it from the oven, you'll need to leave the lamb to cool down before removing it from the mould. Once cooled, place on the wire rack to cool entirely.
- You may need to remove extra cake from the edges if it isn't neat. You can also remove some of the bottom of the cake if it isn't sitting straight. Now dust the entire cake with the sugar – as much, or as little as you want.You can decorate the cake with chocolate if you want to enhance the lamb's face. You can even use a piece of ribbon to place around the lamb's neck. It's now ready to eat!