History

The kougelhopf, also spelled kouglof, is Alsace's emblem in cake form, baked in its distinctive ridged earthenware mould. Legend ties it to the three kings passing through the region, but in truth it is a Central European enriched bread that Alsace made its own. There is a savoury version with bacon and walnuts for the aperitif, but the sweet one, ringed with almonds and raisins, is the icon. Strasbourg's pastry houses sell it by the ring, and it anchors the Sunday breakfast table.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Nuts

Make it at home

Yield Makes 1 ringHands-on 40 minTotal 4 hrDifficulty Advanced

Ingredients

  • 100g raisins soaked in 3 tablespoons rum
  • 500g strong white flour
  • 20g fresh yeast
  • 200ml warm milk
  • 100g sugar and 2 eggs
  • 150g soft butter, plus extra for the mould
  • Whole blanched almonds for the mould
  • Icing sugar to finish

Method

  1. Whisk the yeast into the warm milk and let it foam, then mix into the flour with the sugar and eggs to a soft dough.
  2. Work in the soft butter a little at a time, then knead until smooth and elastic, and prove for 1 hour.
  3. Knock back the dough, fold in the drained raisins, and butter a kougelhopf mould well.
  4. Press a whole almond into each fluted groove, then ease the dough into the mould and prove again until it reaches the rim.
  5. Bake at 180C for 40 to 45 minutes, turn out, cool and dust generously with icing sugar.

Tip from the editors. The dough is wet and sticky on purpose; resist adding flour or the crumb turns dense and dry.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat kougelhopf

Kougelhopf in Strasbourg

Patisserie Christian ★ 4.4

Grande IleTue-Sat 08:30-18:30Walk-in onlyStrasbourg pastry and chocolate

Patisserie Christian on Rue de l'Outre is a Strasbourg institution for kougelhopf, pain d'epices, bredele and fine chocolate close to Place Kleber.

Worth the queue: Kougelhopf and pain d'epices

12 Rue de l'Outre, 67000 Strasbourg Book →

Maison Naegel ★ 4.4

Grande IleTue-Sat 08:00-18:30Walk-in onlyAlsatian pastry and charcuterie-pastry

Maison Naegel on Rue des Orfevres has baked near the cathedral since 1927, known for its savoury Tourte Naegel, kougelhopf, pates and a panelled tea salon.

Worth the queue: Tourte Naegel and kougelhopf

9 Rue des Orfevres, 67000 Strasbourg Book →

Le Fournil d'Austerlitz ★ 4.0

KrutenauTue-Sat 06:30-19:00Walk-in onlyAlsatian breads and viennoiserie

Le Fournil d'Austerlitz on Rue d'Austerlitz bakes Alsatian specialties all day, from streusel cake and braided brioche to sweet and savoury kougelhopfs.

Worth the queue: Mini to maxi kougelhopf

4 Rue d'Austerlitz, 67000 Strasbourg

More cities are in research. Want kougelhopf covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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