German Easter Lamb Cake is the centerpiece and dessert on many tables at Easter. The sweet lamb is baked into a lamb-shaped mold and then decorated with either a simple sprinkling of powdered sugar or, in some homes, white frosting. The basic cake is a pound cake, sometimes flavored with ground nuts.
Why a Lamb? Lambs have long been considered a symbol of rebirth; to Christians, a lamb represents Jesus, the Lamb of God. This sweet cake is made with sugar and butter, which were forbidden during Lent but could now be enjoyed at Easter.
(You can dig deeper into the symbolism and consider that a cake in the shape of an animal is a substitute for an animal sacrifice, but really, sometimes a cute cake is just a cake)
Easter Lamb cakes hit their peak of “popularity” in the mid-Century US when shaped molds became easier and cheaper to produce. Not everyone’s Oma carried their heavy cast iron lamb mold from Germany. Today, the Easter Lamb cake seems to be making a nostalgic comeback. Decorated or plain, baked in a fancy mold or a simple one. You can bake your own Easter Lamb Cake. All you need is a recipe, a mold, and a few little tips to ensure success. Or, you can simply buy one if you aren’t a baker.
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Kuchenmeister Mini- Easter LambGermanShop24
Tips to ensure Easter Lamb Cake Success
- Reinforce the structure of the lamb by laying a few toothpicks or a wooden skewer up its neck before baking. This will help the head stay on. Toothpicks going across the head to the ears will help too.
- Attach the top of the mold to the bottom with a clamp or band before baking. This will ensure that the batter rises up to fill the top pan, and doesn’t just knock it aside.
- Don’t take the cake out Early!
- Loosen the edges completely before trying to remove it from the pan
- Smooth the bottom of the lamb, so you have a good base (just trim off any bits)
Easter Lamb Cake Mold Recipes
Molds for German Easter Lamb Cakes can be found below.
For a standard 6 cup mold-
There are a few different sizes and qualities of Easter Lamb Cake Molds. Some are heavier, and will last for generations, others are simple (less expensive), and good for using for a few years.
Nordic Ware Spring Lamb 3-D Cake MoldWilton 3D Lamb Cake Pan Set, 2-Piece
Kaiser ‘Osterbäckerei’ (Easter Bakery) 658926 Lamb-Shaped Cake Mould 1.75 L Large
Large Easter Lamb Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup Butter 150 gram
- 2/3 cup Sugar 150 gram
- 4 Teaspoons Vanilla Sugar
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 10 drops Lemon Essence 1/2 bottle Dr Oetker
- 3 Eggs
- 1 2/3 cup Flour 200 gram
- 2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
- powdered Sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Beat the butter until light and creamy. Add Sugar, Vanilla Sugar, Salt, and Lemon essence. Beat until it comes together. Add egg and beat on high 30 seconds.
- Combine Baking Powder with Flour... add to other ingredients, alternating with milk on low, until just mixed.
- Grease the lamb form VERY WELL... dust with flour.
- Fill the face side with batter.Top with the other side of the formPlace the form on a baking sheet.Bake 55 minutes at 350
- Let Baked lamb sit in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove. Dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Reinforce the structure of the lamb by laying a few toothpicks or a wooden skewer up its neck before baking. This will help the head stay on. Toothpicks going across the head to the ears will help too.
- Attach the top of the mold to the bottom with a clamp or band before baking. This will ensure that the batter rises up to fill the top pan, and doesn't just knock it aside.
- Don't take the cake out Early!
- Loosen the edges completely before trying to remove it from the pan
- Smooth the bottom of the lamb, so you have a good base (just trim off any bits)
Recipe for a small mold of 3 cups
Kaiser Lamb Baking Pan Non-Stick, Steel, Black, 25.5 x 15.4 x 25.5 cm

Small Recipe Easter Lamb Cake
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoon Butter 50 gram
- 1/4 cup Sugar 50 gram
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla Sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 5 drops Lemon Essence
- 1 Egg
- 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
- 2/3 cup Flour
- 1 Tablespoon Milk
- Powdered Sugar for Sprinkling
Instructions
- Beat the butter until light and creamy. Add Sugar, Vanilla Sugar, Salt, and Lemon essence. Beat until it comes together. Add egg and beat on high 30 seconds.Combine Baking Powder with Flour... add to other ingredients, alternating with milk on low, until just mixed.
- Grease the lamb form VERY WELL... dust with flour.
- Fill the face side with batter.Top with the other side of the formPlace the form on a baking sheet.
- Bake 45 minutes at 350Let Baked lamb sit in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove. Dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Reinforce the structure of the lamb by laying a few toothpicks or a wooden skewer up its neck before baking. This will help the head stay on. Toothpicks going across the head to the ears will help too.
- Attach the top of the mold to the bottom with a clamp or band before baking. This will ensure that the batter rises up to fill the top pan, and doesn't just knock it aside.
- Don't take the cake out Early!
- Loosen the edges completely before trying to remove it from the pan
- Smooth the bottom of the lamb, so you have a good base (just trim off any bits)
Marmorkuchen Lambs?
Thanks to Laura (friend of the site)! She told me she used the Marmorkuchen / Marble Cake Recipe to make Easter Lambs! According to her…”The recipe filled a Zenker lamb, rabbit and a small mini loaf pan and unmolded beautifully”. I love the idea of a marbled lamb! Find the recipe here–> Marmorkuchen Recipe
Lamb Cake Pops
What a CUTE idea!
Easter Lamb Cake Molds
BIOL Easter Cake Mold Lamb Cake Mold Easter Lamb Cake Mold Lamb Mold Two Side 3D Lamb Cake Pan 9.8Zenker
Yikinip 12 Inch Lamb Cake pan set of 2,Lamb Shaped cake pan, Aluminum Lamb Cake Tin,For Easter cake,silver (Lamb Cake pan set of 2)
Kamehame Lamb Cake Mold, Silicone 3D Easter Lamb Cake Molds for Baking, Spring Lamb Mold
Zenker Lamb Baking Mould for Easter, 700 ml Capacity, 3D Cake Mould with Non-Stick Coating and Lambs as Motif for Baking, Delicious Decoration as Easter Lamb Baking Mould
Vintage Lamb Cake Molds
Some of these old pans will last another 100 years…
Vintage Cake Molds Bunny Chocolate Mold Lamb Mold Vintage German cakeVintage German Tin Lamb Cake Mold Vintage Easter Baking Mold Traditional Christian Symbol Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen Bakeware Decor
Vintage Cast Aluminum Easter Lamb Cake Mold
Antique Baker’s Coconut Cast Aluminum 2-Piece Lamb Baking Mold
Vintage German Lamb Cake or Chocolate Mold, Rustic Lamb/Sheep Baking Form,
Griswold Cast Iron Lamb Cake Mold, No. 866, c. 1920s. Bake A Cake ~ Please The Children.
I have an antique cast iron lamb pan. It looks pretty old. Is there away to use the pan again to bake a cake in?
I have an antique cast iron pan of the lamb. What do I need to do to safely bake in it?
If it’s clean, you should be able to just use it.
If it’s rusty, you need to clean it up first- http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/how-to/article/cast-iron-pan-rust
What is Vanilla sugar?
Vanilla Sugar is white sugar infused with vanilla flavor. It’s what you bake with in Germany, instead of vanilla extract. You can substitute vanilla extract, or make your own Vanilla Sugar.
http://angrybakery.com/techniques/home-made-vanilla-sugar/
Thank you for sharing.
I;ve been making the lamb cake for many years. I have the aluminum mold. I came across your recipe today and want to make this Easter Sunday. I have a question about the lemon essence. What can I use in place of that product?
Maybe a teaspoon of lemon zest? Might even be better that way!