In our house, Nachtisch was almost as crucial as Abendessen, Dinner, and warmes Mittagsessen, a warm Midday Meal in Germany. At least it was for us kids. What is Nachtisch? Nachtisch means “after table”, so Nachtisch is dessert! (Not to be confused with Nachttisch, the bedside table.) Our world seems so focused on reducing calories or eliminating treats, so it might seem odd to consider serving dessert every day. But it was seldom an elaborate treat. We aren’t talking about a layer cake. My mother would make a simple fruit compote, fruit salad, applesauce, or a pudding. It satisfied the sweet tooth and made us less likely to snack later.
Oma’s Herrencreme
What is Nachtisch? It’s Dessert!
My Oma always served Nachtisch after the Mittagsessen. Remember, that’s the bigger warm meal in Germany. My cousins and I would crowd back onto the Eckbank, excited to see what was coming through the swinging door to the kitchen. Oma would bring two or three large glass serving bowls to the table, and we would help ourselves by scooping pudding or Quarkspeise into the leaf-patterned Glasschälchen. Well, except for my oldest cousin. Oma always made him his own serving bowl full, because he had a big appetite. He was also a slow eater, so we’d all glare at him for having so much all to himself AND taking forever to eat it. (To this day, he’s still a slow eater who savors his food, and he’s thin as a rail. Maybe he’s on to something.) Chocolate Pudding with a pitcher of Vanilla Sauce, Quarkspeise with Cherry Sauce on top, Opa’s FAVORITE Herrencreme, and Apfelmuss made from apples from her trees. Something sweet and not too heavy to round off the meal.
Life is short… eat dessert first
All of these memories flooded back to me last night when I made up a packet of Dr Oetker’s Paradise Cream. I put the little bowls on the table and got the strangest looks from my family. And I realized, it has been a while since I served my family Nachtisch immediately following the meal. I’ve been searching my brain to figure out why? Was it a diet? Was it a question of cultural differences with my guy? Somewhere along the way, I stopped setting out the little bowls. Nachtisch sort of fell by the wayside, becoming a cookie that we would grab from the Kitchen when we were hungry later in the evening. Although I still made Fruit Salad or Compote, leaving it for all to enjoy with evening activities, it generally ended up being Ice Cream or a Cookie in front of the TV. Not a very healthy way or social way to eat right before bed.
I resolved to bring back Nachtisch!
My family is already excited to see what arrives on tonight’s table. It will be Rhubarb Compote with Vanilla Pudding. I plan to visit the Farmer’s Market for more fruit, and I will also be ordering additional packets of (note- the German versions contain no sugar; you add it yourself). Later this week, Rote Grütze (It was so good, I added the recipe to my cookbook “Easy German Cookbook”!
Glasschälchen
Of course, the little glass bowls that you find in every German kitchen….
Arcoroc Fleur Dishes
LEUR LOTS – French Arcoroc – Iconic Serving – Clear Press Textured Glass – Bowls, Plates, Juice Pitcher Drinking Glasses Durable DinnerwareArcoroc France Fleur Clear Glass Flower Dessert BowlVintage Arcoroc Fleur Clear Glass Small Bowls and Dessert / Saucer Plates – Set of 6 Bowl – Set of 5 Plates – Vintage Arcoroc FranceVintage Arcoroc Fleur Salad Bowl: 1970s Flower Motif Tempered Glass (NOS) w/ Original Box
Where to Buy German Pudding Mixes
Is there a better way to satisfy my sweet tooth than by recreating Oma’s big bowls of Schokoladenpudding mit Vanille Soße? Although I’m tempted, there won’t be a special extra-big bowl on the table unless my cousin comes to visit. What I love about German Pudding mixes is that they don’t have as much sugar. They have a delicious flavor, but aren’t overly sweet. Most of these packets come in three packs, and each pack serves 2 to 4 people (or one sweet-toothed cousin).
Dr Oetker Paradise Cream
Was there EVER a more inviting name? This pudding comes together in 3 minutes! Just add milk, and whisk it up with a hand mixer.
Super Easy to WHIP UP
Dr Oetker Gala Pudding
Made from the highest quality ingredients, Gala pudding contains actual chocolate or nut pieces. This pudding needs cooking… and you can adjust the sugar!
Dr Oetker Gala Pudding -Chocolate – 3 packGermanShop24Dr Oetker Gala Pudding -Caramel – 3 packGermanShop24Dr Oetker Gala Pudding -Cream – 3 packGermanShop24Dr Oetker Gala Pudding -Bourbon Vanilla – 3 packGermanShop24
Vanilla Soße! Vanilla Dessert Sauce
THIS simple sauce is what elevates simple pudding to perfection. Make it yourself (Vanilla Sauce Recipe), or keep a packet on hand.
Vanilla Soße- no cookingGermanShop24Vanilla Soße- to cookGermanShop24
Rote Grütze
Rote Grütze is a sort of fruit based pudding. It’s not compote… it’s thicker (and is lovely with whipped cream)
Dr. Oetker Rote Gruetze Himbeer / Raspberry 3pack
Wackelpudding! Götterspeise! Gelatine!
Who doesn’t love that wiggley goodness?
CherryGermanShop24Woodruff- WaldmeisterGermanShop24LemonGermanShop24RaspberryGermanShop24
Paradise Creme
Just add milk to the mix, beat, and you have a delicious Nachtisch in no time!
Paradise Cream Cream CaramelGermanShop24Paradise Cream NougatGermanShop24Paradise Creme LemonGermanShop24Paradise Creme Chocolate ChipGermanShop24
Chocolateria Creme Pudding
A deeper richer chocolate pudding.
Dr Oetker Chocolateria creme pudding- Dark CHocolateGermanShop24Dr Oetker Chocolateria creme pudding- Milk ChocolateGermanShop24
Ruf Pudding
Just add milk and sugar, then cook and let cool before serving (if you can wait).
Ruf Strawberry Pudding 3 packGermanShop24Ruf CHocolate Pudding 3 packGermanShop24
Dr Oetker MOUSSE!
Mousse is just fancy pudding… and these are so easy to whip up why not serve it on a Tuesday?
Dr Oetker Mousse au ChocolatGermanShop24Dr Oetker Bourbon-Vanille MousseGermanShop24Classic CHocolate MousseGermanShop24Dr Oetker Lemon MOusseGermanShop24
Dr. Oetker Strawberry Mousse, 2.4-Ounce (Pack of 6)Dr Oetker French Vanilla Mousse, 2.7-Ounce (Pack of 6)
For some GREAT Nachtisch Ideas
Leichte Desserts: Die beliebtesten Rezepte (German Edition)Nicht ohne Nachtisch: Landfrauen verraten die Rezepte ihrer Lieblingsdesserts.
Alles schaut so gut aus danke von Alaska
Hello Karen,
I still serve Nachtisch for my Dad. Thank You I just didn’t know the name of the dessert. Also, Thank You for the other ideas :D. I almost cried when I saw mustard eggs no one in CA or OR knows what this is? i feel like I know some that now do. Never saw it in my Dads other cookbooks even the ones written in German. Have a Great Week. God Bless You Diana
Thank you! I’m glad you and your father enjoy the recipes.