Kuchen

Kuchen (German pronunciation: [ˈkuːxən] ), the German word for cake, is used in other languages as the name for several different types of savory or sweet desserts, pastries, and gateaux. Most Kuchen have eggs, flour and sugar as common ingredients while also, but not always, including some form of fat, often butter or cream. (The sugar may also be replaced by honey or, in cakes directed to diabetic people or people on a diet, a sugar substitute.) The term "kuchen" itself may cover as many distinct desserts as its English counterpart "cake". However, the word "cake" encompasses both Kuchen and Torte, sometimes confusing one with the other. The key difference between a Torte and Kuchen is that a torte is decorated or layered with cream, frosting, or ganache, while kuchen is typically less "decorative" or fancy in nature. Additionally, the word "Kuchen" encompasses desserts that English speakers may call "pie", such as Apfelkuchen (apple pie). Examples of a Torte made from a "base Kuchen" include the Jewish Palacsinken Torte and Mohn Torte (or Kindli).