In the spirit of Oktoberfest, we’d like to teach you about the German Flammkuchen, and share with you a recipe to cook at home!
What is Flammkuchen?
Flammkuchen (pronounced flam-KOOK-en) is a German inspired, smoky flatbread pizza.
The flammkuchen, translated as ‘flame cake,’ originated in the south of Germany and the Alsace region of France. Its origins date back to the 4th century before contemporary German-French borders were established. Therefore, the flammkuchen may also be referred to as Tarte Flambèe. The two names are often used interchangeably given the history, shared traditions and frequently bilingual population of the area.
Fun fact:
The flammkuchen was originally used by bakers to test the temperature of their ovens. If the flatbread came out perfectly crisp it would signal that the oven was hot enough to for the baker to make their bread.
The Ingredients of a Traditional Flammkuchen
There are a lot of different toppings suitable for a flammkuchen. It’s all up to the chef! However, if you want to prepare a traditional recipe for your Oktoberfest celebration then stick to smoked bacon and onions. You can also include variations like gruyère cheese, mushrooms, and Muenster cheese. Add a bit of nutmeg, salt, and black pepper for seasoning.
Rather than a tomato sauce, the dough of flammkuchen is spread with crème fraîche (KREHM fresh), a thick, French, sour cream. If you cannot find crème fraîche, we recommend using plain, strained yogurt.
The Cooking Process
First, prepare your ingredients!
- Begin by cutting the smoked bacon into small cubes and cook in a tablespoon of clarified butter or cooking oil until crispy. Note: uncooked smoked bacon will not get crispy in a regular oven!
- Soften thinly sliced onions in the grease left over by the bacon. The onions do not need to be caramelized. Just softened.
- Mix crème fraîche with one egg yolk, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. If substituting for plain yogurt, season similarly.
Next, prepare your dough!
Once you have all of the toppings ready, roll out your dough. A flammkuchen is presented both round and square, so the shape is up to the chef. Once the dough is rolled out very thin, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Then, dress up your flammkuchen!
- Use a spoon to apply the white sauce you prepared earlier. If you’d like to add cheese, do so now.
- Place a layer of onions and top with crispy smoked bacon. If you have caraway seeds on hand, sprinkle some on top!
Lastly, bake your flammkuchen!
Preheat your oven to the hottest temperature (or 425 F) and bake your flammkuchen until the edges of the dough begin to darken. Serve right away!
Now it’s time to enjoy your flammkuchen!
A Traditional Flammkuchen Pairing
During Oktoberfest, every flammkuchen should be paired with a regional beverage! For the beer lovers, we recommend crisp lagers that are popular in Alsace and Southwest Germany. A dark Dunkel or a Schwarzbier is also a delicious pairing.
For the wine lovers, we recommenced pairing your flammkuchen with a dry Riesling or a Pinot Gris. If you can delight in a varietal from the Alsace or Rheineland regions, all the better!
If you’ve worked up a taste for the Rhineland, then perhaps it’s time to head to where flammkuchen is made best.
Check out these sailing dates aboard Viking River Cruises for a grand tour of Germany! For an even more immersive cultural experience, we recommend sailing the Rhine Getaway with Viking River Cruises. This invigorating guided tour travels between four countries over eight days, from the Netherlands to France, Germany, and Switzerland. Aboard the Rhine Getaway, passengers are treated to an included tour where they learn to make a traditional flammkuchen with local ingredients!
You can also contact our Personal Vacation Managers® or call 800-709-9507 to plan a more personal cruise experience!
