German Easter Lamb Cake Recipe and Lamb Molds (2024)

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German Easter Lamb Cake is the centerpiece and dessert on many tables at Easter. The sweet lamb,is baked into a lamb shaped mold… then decorated with either a simple sprinkling of powdered sugar, or in some homes, white frosting. In general, the cake is a pound cake, sometimes flavored with ground nuts.

Why a Lamb? Lambs have long been seen as a symbol of rebirth, and to Christians, a lamb represents Jesus, the Lamb of God. This sweet cake is made with sugar and butter… things that were forbidden during Lent, but can now be enjoyed at Easter. (You can dig deeper into they symbolism, and consider that a cake in the shape of an animal is a substitute for an animal sacrifice…. but really… sometimes a cute cake is just a cake)

Easter Lamb cakes hit their peak of “popularity” in mid-Century US, when shaped molds became easier and cheaper to produce. (Not everyone’s Oma carried their heavy cast iron lamb mold with them from Germany.) Today, the Easter Lamb cake seems to be making a nostalgic comeback. Decorated or plain, baked in a fancy mold or a simple one.You can bake your own Easter Lamb Cake… all you need is a recipe, a mold, and a few little tips that will insure success. Or, you can simply buy one if you aren’t a baker.

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Surround the Easter Lamb Cake with colored eggs or Easter Chocolates for a sweet centerpiece.

Easter Lamb 1 Easter lamb sponge cake with glaze, 235gSchmidt Lebkuchen Easter lamb package Delicious Easter specialties in a large packageSchmidt Lebkuchen

Easter Lamb Cake Mold Recipes

Molds for German Easter Lamb Cakes can be found below.

Small Recipe Easter Lamb Cake

(Recipe translated from Dr Oetker... for Lamb form 500 ml.)

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

4 Tablespoon Butter 50 gram
1/4 cup Sugar 50 gram
2 teaspoon Vanilla Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Salt
5 drops Lemon Essence
1 Egg
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
2/3 cup Flour
1 Tablespoon Milk
Powdered Sugar for Sprinkling

Instructions

Beat the butter until light and creamy. Add Sugar, Vanilla Sugar, Salt, and Lemon essence. Beat until it comes together. Add egg and beat on high 30 seconds.Combine Baking Powder with Flour... add to other ingredients, alternating with milk on low, until just mixed.
Grease the lamb form VERY WELL... dust with flour.
Fill the face side with batter.Top with the other side of the formPlace the form on a baking sheet.
Bake 45 minutes at 350
Let Baked lamb sit in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove. Dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

Tips to insure Easter Lamb Cake Success

Reinforce the structure of the lamb by laying a few toothpicks or a wooden skewer up its neck before baking. This will help the head stay on. Toothpicks going across the head to the ears will help too.
Attach the top of the mold to the bottom with a clamp or band before baking. This will insure that the batter rises up to fill the top pan, and doesn't just knock it aside.
Don't take the cake out Early!
Loosen the edges completely before trying to remove it from the pan
Smooth the bottom of the lamb, so you have a good base (just trim off any bits)

Keyword Easter, Easter Lamb Cake

Large Easter Lamb Recipe

Easter is a time for family and friends to come together and enjoy a delicious meal. And what better way to celebrate than with a large Easter lamb? This recipe is perfect for a large gathering, and it will surely impress your guests.

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Course Dessert

Cuisine German

Ingredients

2/3 cup Butter 150 gram
2/3 cup Sugar 150 gram
4 Teaspoons Vanilla Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
10 drops Lemon Essence 1/2 bottle Dr Oetker
3 Eggs
1 2/3 cup Flour 200 gram
2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
2 Tablespoons Milk
powdered Sugar for dusting

Instructions

Beat the butter until light and creamy. Add Sugar, Vanilla Sugar, Salt, and Lemon essence. Beat until it comes together. Add egg and beat on high 30 seconds.
Combine Baking Powder with Flour... add to other ingredients, alternating with milk on low, until just mixed.
Grease the lamb form VERY WELL... dust with flour.
Fill the face side with batter.Top with the other side of the formPlace the form on a baking sheet.Bake 55 minutes at 350
Let Baked lamb sit in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove. Dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

Tips to insure Easter Lamb Cake Success

Reinforce the structure of the lamb by laying a few toothpicks or a wooden skewer up its neck before baking. This will help the head stay on. Toothpicks going across the head to the ears will help too.
Attach the top of the mold to the bottom with a clamp or band before baking. This will insure that the batter rises up to fill the top pan, and doesn't just knock it aside.
Don't take the cake out Early!
Loosen the edges completely before trying to remove it from the pan
Smooth the bottom of the lamb, so you have a good base (just trim off any bits)

Keyword Easter, German, lamb recipe

Tips to insure Easter Lamb Cake Success

Reinforce the structure of the lamb by laying a few toothpicks or a wooden skewer up its neck before baking. This will help the head stay on. Toothpicks going across the head to the ears will help too.
Attach the top of the mold to the bottom with a clamp or band before baking. This will insure that the batter rises up to fill the top pan, and doesn’t just knock it aside.
Don’t take the cake out Early!
Loosen the edges completely before trying to remove it from the pan
Smooth the bottom of the lamb, so you have a good base (just trim off any bits)

Marmorkuchen Lambs?

Thanks to Laura (friend of the site)! She told me she used the Marmorkuchen / Marble Cake Recipe to make Easter Lambs! According to her…”The recipe filled a Zenker lamb, rabbit and a small mini loaf pan and unmolded beautifully”. I love the idea of a marbled lamb! Find the recipe here–> Marmorkuchen Recipe

Easter Lamb Cake Molds

There are a few different sizes and qualities of Easter Lamb Cake Molds. Some are heavier, and will last for generations, others are simple (less expensive), and good for using for a few years.

Nordic Ware Spring Lamb 3-D Cake Mold Wilton 3D Lamb Cake Pan Set, 2-Piece