My daughter is in third year German in high school. Each year the language classes host what they call “Flex Week”. One part of Flex Week is that each student brings in a recipe that is authentic to their language. “Zitronenkuchen” translates to lemon cake, and these little beauties really live up to their name! Bursting with lemon flavor, this recipe was actually for a cake, but I chose to make mini muffins to make easier individual servings.
Last year for Flex Week I made Partybrot, which is a wonderful German pull part bread, perfect for a party, hence the name. For Kristen’s first year in German we made Homemade German Pretzels, and they were sooo good! So this year we decided something sweet was in order, but Frau’s* one rule is that you can’t bring German Chocolate Cake.
* Frau is how they address the German teacher. The definition is “used as a courtesy title in a German-speaking area before the surname or professional title of an adult woman.”
I originally found this recipe at Angie’s Kitchen, however hers contained cranberries (which sounds so yum!) and was baked in a loaf pan. I’ve adjusted my recipe for baking mini muffins, so if you prefer to try a loaf pan version or regular sized muffins, check the baking alternatives at the end of the recipe below.
Mini Lemon Cakes (Zitrone Mini-Kuchen)
adapted from German Lemon Cake – Zitronenkuchen
ALTERNATES:
Regular muffin pan: 20-22 minutes
Loaf pan: 65-85 minutes
If baking in a loaf pan, after 35 minutes cover the cake with a sheet of foil greased with butter.
More Lemon Recipes
- Lemon Bars
- Lemon Lush
- Lemon Icebox Cake
- Lemon Streusel Squares
- Lemon Meringue Pie Bars
- Instant Pot Lemon Curd Cheesecake
- Lemon Cake
- Instant Pot Lemon Cake
German Mini Lemon Cakes – Zitronenkuchen / Zitrone Mini-Kuchen
IMPORTANT - There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon zest
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 ¾ sticks 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- pinch of salt
- 6 eggs
- â…“ cup heavy whipping cream
Glaze
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line muffin tins with paper liners or spray the cups of a mini muffin tin.
- Whisk together the flour and baking powder in a bowl. Set aside.
- In mixer bowl fitted with paddle attachment cream butter, sugar and pinch of salt on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, alternately mixing in a tablespoon of flour mixture after each addition.
- Turn mixer down to medium-low and add the whipping cream, then lemon juice and zest. Turn mixer down to low and gradually add the flour mixture until combined.
- Divide the batter among the mini muffin cups. Bake mini muffins for 15-17 minutes.
- Remove and cool in pan on wire rack for 20 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool completely.
Glaze
- Sift the powdered sugar in a bowl and add in the lemon juice. Stir to combine. Drizzle glaze over the mini muffins. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
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Amanda Davis
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Lisa Keller says
Hey your recipe sounds very jummi :) but its not “Pretzels” its written “Brezeln” :)
Manuela Lunsford says
they look great, I only know them in a loaf Pan…I’m from Germany originally and I have to say it’s nice to hear that your daughter is learning the language. Btw, Frau isn’t a courtesy title, it’s actually the equivalent of the american “Mrs” in front of the last name…not trying to be a smart aleck, it’s just something I noticed. :o)
tayla-Rose says
OMG these r gr8 evry1 has 2 try these yummy lemon cakes
Deeba PAB says
INDULGENT little delights Amandah!! Want to learn German too, if this comes with class! YUM!!
Megan says
Oh yum Amanda. Lemon just seems to brighten my mood during these long cold months. These sound delicious with the heavy cream added!
Sue says
I bet the whole German class loved them!
Calogero says
Thanks 4 the recipe of yours German mini lemon cakes.
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Lora says
Wunderbar muffins! What a wonderful way to help learn German.
jennaseverythingblog says
Mmmm, they look delightful–and I love the beautiful blue plate you put them on for the picture!
Maria says
I love lemon! These look great!
julie says
Just beautiful Amanda! I'm betting it would be delicious with the cranberries as well, but I'll take your version. I have a weakness for lemon desserts.
Leslie says
Amazing. I remember seeing these over on Aggies site! YUM
Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] says
That looks gorgeous. It's so awesome your daughter's learning German, and in such a fun way too. Language classes here are no fun :(
The Food Hound says
Lemon is great in anything! That's awesome your daughter is learning German- that's the next language on my list! I have German for dummies sitting by my bedside!
Dolores Wertz Ptak says
Am always looking for German recipes. This sounds delicious and can’t wait to try them. Do a lot of Polish recipes now its my turn. lol
briarrose says
Wonderful little cakes. I love the lemon flavor.