If you've ever asked, "What are German chocolate kisses?", you're not alone. In Germany, these soft, chocolate-covered marshmallow domes are called Schokoküsse, and they're a beloved treat - especially among kids. But did you know you can also use them to make a simple, no-fuss Schokokuss Cream Cake? This cake layers fluffy whipped cream and yogurt with crushed Schokoküsse over a soft vanilla cake base. It's light, a little nostalgic, and perfect for birthdays or coffee time. In this post, I'll share exactly what Schokoküsse are, how we use them in baking, and a personal story about when I had this cake for the first time - as a surprise birthday cake in Germany.
What Are German Chocolate Kisses (Schokoküsse)?
German chocolate kisses, or Schokoküsse, are a popular German treat made of fluffy marshmallow filling, dipped in chocolate, and placed on a thin, crisp wafer. They go by a few names across Germany - Schokokuss, Schaumkuss, and sometimes Dickmanns (a popular brand name).
You can find them in nearly every German grocery store, especially around birthdays or kids' parties. They're fun on their own but also make a delicious ingredient for light cakes and desserts.
My First Schokokuss Cake (A Birthday to Remember)
In 2024, I was visiting Germany and spent time with close friends. What I didn't expect was the surprise I received on my birthday - a homemade Schokokuss Cream Cake made by my friend's mother.
The texture was soft and light, and the flavor of the chocolate foam kisses blended beautifully with the cream and cake. It reminded me why I love German baking so much - it's simple, thoughtful, and made with care. On a side note: in German culture people typically bake birthday cakes vs. buying birthday cakes.
Traditionally, this cake is made with Quark, a thick German dairy product somewhere between yogurt and cream cheese. Since Quark can be hard to find in the U.S., I tested alternatives. The best substitute I've found is a thick, whole milk Greek vanilla yogurt. Just make sure it's not too sweet or overly flavored. I personally love using Trader Joe's or Siggi's brands - both are creamy and balanced.
Where to Buy Schokoküsse in the U.S.
You can find authentic Schokoküsse and other German baking essentials like whipped cream stabilizer (Sahnesteif) at
OneStopGermanShop - and don't forget to use my code LOVEGERMANFOOD to get 15% off your order!
More Recipes You'll Love
Schokokuss Cream Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 175°C / 350°F.
- Cream the butter, sugar, salt, and rum together until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking powder.
- Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk into the batter, mixing gently.
- Pour into a greased 10-inch springform pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool completely.
- Remove the wafer bottoms from the Schokoküsse and set wafers aside.
- Mash the marshmallow part and mix with the vanilla yogurt until smooth.
- Whip 400 g of cream with Sahnesteif until stiff.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the yogurt mixture.
- Chill the mixture until ready to assemble.
- Place a cake ring around your cooled cake base.
- Spoon the Schokokuss cream over the cake and smooth the top.
- Whip the remaining 100 g of cream, and pipe swirls for decoration.
- Slice the reserved wafer bottoms in half and place on top.
- Optional: Sprinkle with chocolate shavings for a nice finish.
- Chill the cake for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Before slicing, let the cake sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly for perfect texture.
- Enjoy!
