German Easter Lamb Cake -Recipe and Lamb Molds

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.

This post contains affiliate links which means I earn a percentage from sales at no cost to you.

Kuchenmeister Mini- Easter LambGermanShop24

Tips to ensure Easter Lamb Cake Success

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Don’t take the cake out Early!
4. Loosen the edges completely before trying to remove it from the pan
5. 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

Easter is a time for family and friends to come together and enjoy a delicious meal. And what better way to celebrate than with a large Easter lamb? This recipe is perfect for a large gathering, and it will surely impress your guests.

Print Recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine German

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

Get Recipe Ingredients

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

Tips to ensure Easter Lamb Cake Success

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Don't take the cake out Early!
4. Loosen the edges completely before trying to remove it from the pan
5. Smooth the bottom of the lamb, so you have a good base (just trim off any bits)

Keyword Easter, German, lamb recipe

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

(Recipe translated from Dr Oetker... for Lamb form 500 ml.)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine German

Servings 6 people

Calories 200 kcal

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

Get Recipe Ingredients

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 350

  Let Baked lamb sit in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove. Dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

Tips to ensure Easter Lamb Cake Success

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Don't take the cake out Early!
4. Loosen the edges completely before trying to remove it from the pan
5. Smooth the bottom of the lamb, so you have a good base (just trim off any bits)

Keyword Easter, Easter Lamb Cake

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!

Lamb Cake Pops

Easter Lamb Cake Molds

BIOL Easter Cake Mold Lamb Cake Mold Easter Lamb Cake Mold Lamb Mold Two Side 3D Lamb Cake Pan 9.8ZenkerYikinip 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 MoldZenker 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 DecorVintage Cast Aluminum Easter Lamb Cake MoldAntique Baker’s Coconut Cast Aluminum 2-Piece Lamb Baking MoldVintage 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.