My Favorite German Cookbooks in GERMAN

My cookbook shelf is bi-lingual, and I reach for specific cookbooks for different recipes (or when I’m doing research). In the past I’ve shared my favorite German Cookbooks in English… and now it’s time to share my favorite Cookbooks in German. I realize that not everyone visiting my website speaks or reads German. (Honestly, a cookbook is a great resource for helping to LEARN the language). Some of these German cookbooks are quite old… others are modern. And I’ve included links for ordering them for yourself (where possible)

My Favorite German Cookbooks in German

The German Cookbooks are listed in no particular order. Although I did put Dr Oetker first, because his was my first (wasn’t he everyone’s?). I did put the Christmas Cookbooks mostly near the bottom… because it just made sense.

Dr Oetker Schulkochbuch

I have a feeling that there is a copy of the Dr Oetker Schulkochbuch in just about every kitchen in Germany. Think of it as the Betty Crocker of German Cookbooks. It’s the book cooks grab when they need a recipe for the basics… from Eierkuchen to Zwiebelsuppe. Not fancy, not tremendously cutting edge, just the information you need to prepare a very good German Meal. Read a longer Review here–> Dr Oetker Schulkochbuch.

Dr. Oetker SchulkochbuchDr. Oetker SchulkochbuchDr. Oetker Schulkochbuch

Das Beste Dr Oetker Backbuch

Ok, yes, another Dr Oetker (not a shock, since I believe there are a few hundred books published under his name). This is the Baking book, and is part of a set of three books. I admit, I do reach for the other two, Kochbuch and Kalte Kuche, less often. The Backbuch has a photo for almost every recipe (which I love) and is fairly broad. You get recipes for breads, cookies, everyday cakes, fancy Torte, Christmas baking, and even Modern Baking (which incorporates packaged mixes). The instructions are fairly minimal though… and if you are making something fancy, it can be tricky to interpret HOW to do it. Still… it’s a great all around German baking book.

Das Beste Dr. Oetker BackbuchDas Beste Dr. Oetker BackbuchDas Beste Dr. Oetker Backbuch

Want to complete the set?

Die beste Dr. Oetker kalte KücheDie beste Dr. Oetker kalte KücheDie beste Dr. Oetker kalte KücheDas beste Dr. Oetker KochbuchDas beste Dr. Oetker KochbuchDas beste Dr. Oetker Kochbuch

Heimat Häppchen – So Kocht NRW

My Tante Anne turned me on to the Heimat Häppchen FB page… and the cookbook … because it’s the one she reaches for. The recipes are familiar (since my family is in Nord Rhine Westfalen), but they’ve been updated a bit for the modern kitchen. My Oma made Herrencreme a LOT as dessert… In Heimat Häppchen they make it into a Tiramisu! YUM!! Alongside  classics like Salzbraten, Westfälische Hochzeitssuppe and Brathering, you find recipes for Veggieburgers and Siegerländer Krüstchen “de Luxe” (Krüstchen is Schnitzel with a fried egg… de luxe takes it a  step further….). Each recipe has great photos, and the instructions are clear and detailed.

Heimathäppchen: So kocht NRWHeimathäppchen: So kocht NRWHeimathäppchen: So kocht NRW

Kuchen Tratsch Omas Verraten ihre Geheimrezepte

Love the title (Kitchen Gossip) and the concept. Katrin Blaschke and Katharina Mayer came up with a fabulous idea to tap into the brains and energy of senior bakers. They brought the interested Seniors together to bake favorite family recipes, many of which have been handed down for generations. The cakes and pastries are then sold to local coffee shops… AND… the recipes are collected up for cookbooks. (Reminds me of the Song Collectors). Currently they have a few books out. My favorite is Kuchen Tratsch, but it seems to have been replaced by another book called Von Oma mit Liebe. There is also a wonderful Christmas Cookbook called “Es duftet nach Weihnachten: Die Omas und Opas von Kuchentratsch verraten ihre Lieblingsrezepte”. Each of the bakers contributes a few recipes, and you get a bit of their biography… as well as beautiful photos. Currently, the books are only available on Amazon De

Von Oma mit Liebe: Die besten Kuchentratsch-Rezepte (GU Themenkochbuch) Kindle AusgabeVon Oma mit Liebe: Die besten Kuchentratsch-Rezepte (GU Themenkochbuch) Kindle AusgabeVon Oma mit Liebe: Die besten Kuchentratsch-Rezepte (GU Themenkochbuch) Kindle AusgabeEs duftet nach Weihnachten: Die Omas und Opas von Kuchentratsch verraten ihre Lieblingsrezepte (Deutsch)Es duftet nach Weihnachten: Die Omas und Opas von Kuchentratsch verraten ihre Lieblingsrezepte (Deutsch)Es duftet nach Weihnachten: Die Omas und Opas von Kuchentratsch verraten ihre Lieblingsrezepte (Deutsch)

Sommertage: Rezepte, Dekorationen, und Ideen für einen schönen Sommer

I love this beautiful cookbook, partially because it’s loaded with recipes that you don’t expect to find in German cookbooks (although, they are recipes that I’ve definitely enjoyed while visiting family there). You’ll find lots of salads, grilled specialties, and chilled desserts. (That Lachs-Kartoffelsalat mit Zitronenmayonnaise is the BOMB!) The recipes may be a bit more international, but they all have a German twist. You’ll find lots of party food ideas and easy to make foods perfect for Summertime. Added bonus, decorating ideas for your Terrace or Backyard (and who doesn’t want a German-looking Terrace?) Only available on Amazon De

Sommertage: Rezepte, Dekorationen und Ideen für eine schöne ZeitSommertage: Rezepte, Dekorationen und Ideen für eine schöne ZeitSommertage: Rezepte, Dekorationen und Ideen für eine schöne Zeit

Backen im Ländle

I picked up this book on the recommendation of Susanne Bacon. Her friend Johannes Guggenberger put together a delicious collection of baking recipes from Baden-Würtenberg. This book is loaded with  delicous recipes and fabulous photos (some with step-by step images). You will find both sweet and savory recipes… and holiday specialties.

Backen Im LändleBacken Im LändleBacken Im Ländle

Landfrauen Kochen Rezepte aus Baden-Würtemberg

Another one from Baden-Würtemberg… I grabbed this book because 1. It fit well in my bag 2. There are Schufnudeln on the cover. Honestly, this is the recipe you want for old-school Oma cooking. Inside are recipes for Serviertenknödel, Maultaschen, Damfnudle, and Grießklößchensuppe and more. If you can imagine your Oma in front of the stove cooking an old favorite, it’s probably in here. Note, it’s written in Oma style… not a lot of detail… but you get exact measurements, and you should have no trouble figuring things out.

Landfrauen kochen: Rezepte aus Baden-WürttembergLandfrauen kochen: Rezepte aus Baden-WürttembergLandfrauen kochen: Rezepte aus Baden-Württemberg

Fränkische LIeblingsrezepte 80 Geriche von Klassisch bis Modern

I love when old classics are given a modern update. When you look through a cookbook like Fränkische Lieblingsrezepte, you find all those foods you remember from childhood… or from the Biergarten… but many have been refined a bit. They are “lighter”, “fresher”, and more fitting to the modern diet. Yes, there are plenty of familiar meat dishes like Fränkisches Schäufala, and quite a few dumplings or Klöße… but you also find vegetables, fruits and mushrooms. What I really like about this particular cookbook is that it’s set up by SEASON. You cook what is fresh for that time. Perfect. Great recipes and great photos.

Fränkische LieblingsrezepteFränkische LieblingsrezepteFränkische Lieblingsrezepte

DDR Kochbuch

I have a habit of buying cookbooks as souvenirs when I travel. What a great reminder of the food I tasted! Granted, the DDR is gone, but there are still restaurants that serve the food from the area and era. The DDR Kochbuch also comes with explanations, making it a history of food book as well as a recipe book. Fair warning… it’s practically pocket sized. I’m sure there are bigger ones out there, but this is the one on my shelves.

DDR Kochbuch: Das OriginalDDR Kochbuch: Das OriginalDDR Kochbuch: Das Original

Das Bier Kochbuch

I grabbed this one for Tech Guy. He loves beer and food. And since he brews beer, we often have a LOT in the house. This fun little cookbook has 200 recipes that help you put Beer in EVERYTHING.

Das Bierkochbuch: 200 Rezepte rund um den GerstensaftDas Bierkochbuch: 200 Rezepte rund um den GerstensaftDas Bierkochbuch: 200 Rezepte rund um den Gerstensaft

Christmas Cookbooks

Die Schätze aus Oma’s Backbuck Weihnachts-Bäckerei

Rosenmehl has been selling flour in Germany for over 100 years. This book is a fantastic collection of treasured family recipes from over the years. Each recipe comes with a photo of the product,  the Baker (or the Baker’s family) and an image of the hand written recipe. They also include tips for making the recipe a success. This is a book to flip though and enjoy as much as use. Weihnachtsbäckerei is LOADED with great recipes from real bakers.

Weihnachtsbäckerei: Die Schätze aus Omas Backbuch. Über 60 überliefert echte Familienrezepte für Plätzchen, Lebkuchen und StollenWeihnachtsbäckerei: Die Schätze aus Omas Backbuch. Über 60 überliefert echte Familienrezepte für Plätzchen, Lebkuchen und StollenWeihnachtsbäckerei: Die Schätze aus Omas Backbuch. Über 60 überliefert echte Familienrezepte für Plätzchen, Lebkuchen und Stollen

Die Schönsten Weihnachts-Bäckereien

This book is a bit Old-Fashioned, but it has most of the German Christmas Baking recipes that you remember from Oma’s Kitchen… including a number of Stollen and Christmas bread recipes. I reach for it when making Candy (Konfekt). And there are a dozen different styles of Lebkuchen. Because it’s old and out of print, you can generally find it used for a reasonable price.

Die schönsten Weihnachts-BäckereienDie schönsten Weihnachts-BäckereienDie schönsten Weihnachts-Bäckereien

German Food Magazines

I ALWAYS grab  some Recipe Magazines when I’m in Germany. They are cheaper there than our recipe magazines are here… and are really nice to flip though in the evening when I don’t feel like going deep into a book

Essen und Trinken

Great recipes, great photos, and wonderful seasonal specials. Currently it’s difficult to get a subscription here in the US. You CAN order through German Shop 24. A new issue is released on the first wednesday of the month

Essen & TrinkenEssen & TrinkenGerman Shop 24

german cookbooks in german

4 thoughts on “My Favorite German Cookbooks in GERMAN

  1. Ich habe ca 300 + in deutsch und englisch. viele mit internationaler Kueche aber mein bestes is das “Bayerisches Kochbuch” fuer kochen und backen

  2. Can you send out your favorite German cookbooks that are printed in English again. I missed it the first time around

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