We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Food

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Frankfurter Kranz?

By A. Genes
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 9,139
Share

A Frankfurter kranz is a wreath-shaped cake originating from Frankfurt, Germany. It consists of a sponge cake baked in a ring-form tin and divided horizontally into two or three pieces. The cake is filled with buttercream and red jam — usually strawberry or cherry. The outer rim is completely coated with buttercream frosting and sprinkled with crunchy hazelnuts or almonds. Other elements of decoration might include cocktail cherries or buttercream dots.

An unknown confectioner created the first Frankfurter kranz cake during the 18th century. In German, kranz means “crown,” so it also is known as a Frankfurt crown cake. The shape of the cake is a symbol of Frankfurt being the site of coronation of German kings and emperors for more than 500 years. The golden shell of the crushed hazelnuts is a symbol of gold, and the red cherries represent decorative jewels.

Along with flour, egg yolks and baking powder, traditional ingredients for the sponge-cake base of a Frankfurter kranz include cream butter, sugar, grated lemon rind and rum, with all of these beaten together until a fluffy composition is obtained. For the butter-cream filling, sugar and water are boiled and poured over beaten yolk eggs. Rum is added, and the mixture is beaten until thick. Frankfurter kranz ingredients for the praline topping include sugar and water boiled into a syrup and grinded almonds or nuts. Apricot jam can be used as a glaze for the exterior of the cake.

For assembling the cake, sponge-cake layers are placed on a cake plate one by one, alternating with buttercream spreading. Apricot glaze is spread on the top and sides of the cake for holding the praline coating. This coating is also known as krokant, and it is made by browning sliced or grinded nuts in butter with a little sugar. If there is any buttercream left, it can be used for decorating the top of the cake, together with red candied cherries.

To make an authentic Frankfurter kranz, butter should never be substituted with margarine, and it needs to be at room temperature when mixed with other ingredients. Using a food processor can help in getting a smooth buttercream. The cake needs to be refrigerated for at least two to three hours before serving, so that the coating has time to become firm.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-a-frankfurter-kranz.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.