Name: German Potato Cake (Potthucke) Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 2 lbs (about 900g) starchy potatoes, peeled and grated; 1 cup mashed potatoes (from about 2 medium potatoes); 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 3.5 oz bacon, finely chopped; 2 eggs; 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; Salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp butter (for greasing and brushing); Sour cream; Applesauce

Introduction

Potthucke, also known as German Potato Cake, is a hearty and comforting dish from Westphalia, Germany. Made with a mixture of raw grated and mashed potatoes, it’s baked into a savory loaf with smoky bacon and sautéed onions. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, this dish pairs beautifully with sour cream or applesauce for a true taste of traditional German home cooking.

The image shows a square loaf of layered potato dish with a golden brown crust. The top layer has thin, slightly crispy slices of potato with browned edges scattered with small pieces of cooked bacon. The inside layers are soft, creamy, and pale yellow with visible thin potato slices stacked tightly together. The sides of the dish have a rich brown crust, highlighting the cooked texture. The loaf is placed on a wooden board against a white marbled texture background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 lbs starchy potatoes (about 900g), peeled and grated

1 cup mashed potatoes (from about 2 medium potatoes)

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3.5 oz bacon, finely chopped

2 eggs

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole milk

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 tbsp butter (for greasing and brushing)

Optional: sour cream or applesauce for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a loaf pan with butter.

Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it begins to crisp. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, then set aside to cool.

Step 3: Grate the raw potatoes and squeeze out excess moisture using a cheesecloth or clean towel to prevent sogginess.

Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the grated raw potatoes with the mashed potatoes.

Step 5: Add the sautéed bacon and onions, eggs, milk, flour, and nutmeg to the potatoes. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 6: Mix all ingredients thoroughly until you have a thick batter-like mixture.

Step 7: Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Brush the surface with melted butter.

Step 8: Bake for 60 to 75 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is firm.

Step 9: Allow the potato cake to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with sour cream or applesauce if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use starchy potatoes like Russets for the best texture and to help the loaf hold together.

Be sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the grated potatoes to avoid a soggy cake.

For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or leeks for extra flavor.

Experiment with different flours such as rye or spelt to give the cake a rustic twist.

Serve with traditional German sides like sauerkraut or braised red cabbage for a complete meal.

FAQs

Can I make Potthucke without bacon?

Yes, omitting bacon makes a tasty vegetarian version. You can add sautéed vegetables like mushrooms or leeks to compensate for the smoky flavor.

How do I prevent the potato cake from being soggy?

Make sure to thoroughly squeeze out excess water from the grated raw potatoes using a clean towel or cheesecloth. Also, baking until the outside is golden and firm helps achieve a crisp crust.