National Dish Germany: Bacon Cake (Recipe)
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Say hello to Bacon Cake, a wonderfully hearty slice of German country cooking that has been winning people over for generations. Crisp, smoky bacon meets a creamy layer of soured cream on top of a tender, buttery base — simple ingredients that come together into something genuinely comforting. Whether you serve it as a main course or as a generous side, this rustic bake brings a real taste of traditional German home cooking straight to your table.
About Bacon Cake
Bacon Cake is a traditional German dish that has been a firm favourite for generations. Originally from Eastern Saxony and Thuringia, it has earned a lasting place in the canon of German home cooking. This is a savoury bake that wins you over with its perfect balance of crisp pastry and well-seasoned bacon. It can be enjoyed equally as a main course or as a side dish, and it suits all manner of occasions — from a quiet supper to a family gathering.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 200 g plain flour
- 100 g butter
- 1 egg
- 200 g bacon
- 200 g soured cream
- 1 onion
- Salt and pepper
Shopping for the ingredients
When shopping for the ingredients for bacon cake, it pays to focus on quality. Fresh bacon from the butcher gives you the best aroma and flavour. The choice of flour also has a real influence on both the taste and the texture of the pastry. Pick good-quality soured cream and butter to guarantee that classic, satisfying flavour. Onions, salt and pepper round off the dish and are usually already to hand in most kitchens.
Preparing the dish
Before you begin making the bacon cake, gather all your ingredients in the right quantities. Preheat the oven to 180°C so the pastry can bake evenly. Cut the bacon into small cubes, and do the same with the onion. Combine the flour, butter and egg into a dough — a food processor is very handy here. Let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes so it can develop its full elasticity, much as you would when making the base for a Hessian Bacon Cake.
Step-by-step instructions
- Knead a dough from the flour, butter and egg, then leave it to rest for 30 minutes.
- Cut the bacon and onion into small cubes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured work surface and lay it into a greased springform tin.
- Spread the bacon and onion evenly over the dough, then cover with soured cream.
- Season with salt and pepper and bake in the preheated oven at 180°C for around 40 minutes.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
For a gluten-free version of bacon cake, simply swap the flour for a gluten-free blend. It is worth choosing a flour that is particularly well suited to pastry. To make the dish lactose-free, use lactose-free butter and soured cream. The remaining ingredients stay the same, so the flavour and texture remain almost identical. This way, anyone with an intolerance can still enjoy this delicious bake.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Vegetarians can prepare bacon cake easily without the bacon. Smoked tofu or vegetarian bacon-style cubes make a great alternative and bring plenty of savoury flavour. Vegans can go a step further: alongside skipping the bacon, swap the butter and soured cream for plant-based options such as margarine and soya-based soured cream. A plant-based egg replacer can stand in for the egg in the dough, so the cake turns out just as well.
More tips and tricks
Bacon cake takes beautifully to a few extra touches. Fresh herbs such as chives or parsley can lend the dish a lovely lift. If you like something a little more robust, scatter grated cheese over the soured cream layer before baking. To save time, prepare the dough the day before and keep it overnight in the fridge. The finished bacon cake also freezes very well and can simply be reheated whenever you fancy a slice.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Bacon cake offers plenty of room for personal adjustment. If you like things spicier, add a pinch of chilli powder or some finely chopped fresh chillies. For an especially rich version, replace some of the soured cream with a mixture of soured cream and crème fraîche. Strips of carrot or leek work well too, giving the cake extra flavour and texture. When it comes to bacon cake, there really are no limits to your creativity.
Ingredient substitutions
For the pastry, you can use spelt flour or wholemeal flour in place of plain wheat flour. This gives the bacon cake a nuttier flavour and makes it higher in fibre. If you have no soured cream, or simply don’t care for it, Greek yoghurt makes a fine alternative. Instead of bacon, try prosciutto or another kind of smoked meat. For a lighter version, replace part of the butter in the dough with quark, just as you might lighten a Potato Bake with Bacon.
Drink pairing ideas
Hearty drinks pair wonderfully with bacon cake. A cold beer or a full-bodied red wine are classic companions. If you prefer something alcohol-free, reach for a hearty apple juice or a refreshing apple spritzer. A glass of buttermilk also stands up nicely to the cake’s rich flavour. For special occasions, a dry white wine complements the savoury aromas beautifully.
Serving and presentation ideas
A nicely presented bacon cake makes an impression on the eye as well as the palate. The cake can be served straight from the baking tin or in an attractive ceramic dish. Fresh herbs such as parsley or chives are perfect for garnishing. A side of crisp, fresh salad rounds out the meal perfectly. For a rustic feel, serve the bacon cake on a wooden board.
A bit of history
Bacon Cake has a long tradition in Germany, particularly in the regions of Eastern Saxony and Thuringia. Originally it served as a filling dish that could be made quickly and cheaply in rural areas. Over time it found its way into city kitchens too, where it became a much-loved favourite. It is often served at special occasions such as harvest festivals and family celebrations. The basic recipe has barely changed over the years — a testament to its timeless appeal within German cuisine.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Bacon Cake
Bacon cake is a true highlight of German home cooking. With just a few but high-quality ingredients, you can rustle up a delicious and filling dish in next to no time. The ease with which it adapts to personal taste makes this recipe wonderfully versatile. Classic, vegetarian or vegan — bacon cake has something for everyone. Give it a try and bring a slice of German tradition to your table.
