dessert
German Dessert Products — Pudding, Götterspeise & Sweet Classics
Treat yourself to the desserts that have been on German tables for generations. Our selection includes everything from Dr. Oetker pudding powder — a kitchen staple since 1894 — to wobbly Götterspeise (German jelly), creamy Mondamin Milchreis, and Rote Grütze fruit compote mixes. You will also find ready-to-eat desserts from brands like Zott and sweet meal mixes for Grießbrei (semolina pudding). These are the comfort foods that every German knows from childhood: simple to prepare, genuinely satisfying, and impossible to find in a regular North American or British supermarket. Every product ships directly from our warehouse in Erfurt, Germany, to the USA, UK and Canada — so you can enjoy the taste of home wherever you live.
German dessert culture centres on a handful of beloved staples, each with a long history and distinct regional character.
Pudding is the heart of the category. When Germans say "Pudding," they mean a cooked, custard-style dessert thickened with starch — not the British or American concept. Dr. Oetker introduced pudding powder in 1894, just one year after the Bielefeld pharmacist Dr. August Oetker launched his famous Backin baking powder. Varieties include Schokolade, Vanille, Sahne and Mandel. The preparation is straightforward: mix the powder with sugar and a small amount of cold milk, bring the remaining milk to a boil, stir in the mixture, and let it set. Millions of packets are sold in Germany every year.
Götterspeise — literally "food of the gods" — is Germany's version of fruit jelly. Dr. Oetker began producing Götterspeise powder in the early 1900s, and by 1912 it was a household product. It comes primarily in Waldmeister (woodruff, green) and Himbeer (raspberry, red) flavours. Children especially love its wobbly texture, served with vanilla sauce or whipped cream.
Rote Grütze originates in northern Germany, particularly the Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein region. This berry compote, traditionally made from red currants, raspberries and cherries thickened with cornstarch, dates back to the Middle Ages. Instant mixes allow you to recreate this summer classic with just water or juice.
Milchreis (rice pudding) and Grießbrei (semolina pudding) are two more comfort desserts that Germans eat warm, often dusted with cinnamon sugar. Mondamin, a brand first introduced in Germany in 1896 and now part of the Unilever family, offers quick-preparation Milchreis mixes that deliver homestyle results in minutes. Dr. Oetker covers both Milchreis and Grießbrei in its dessert range.
Ready-to-eat options round out the selection. Brands like Zott offer chilled-style pudding cups and cream desserts — though these ship as shelf-stable versions suited to international delivery. All products in this category come from established German manufacturers with decades of food-safety certification and consistent quality.
FAQ
What is Götterspeise?
Götterspeise is Germany's fruit jelly dessert, similar to Jell-O but typically made from powder you cook briefly with water and sugar. The two classic flavours are Waldmeister (woodruff, green) and Himbeer (raspberry, red). It has been a Dr. Oetker product since the early 1900s and is traditionally served cold with vanilla sauce.
How is German pudding different from American pudding?
German pudding (Pudding) is a cooked dessert made from milk, sugar and starch-based powder — you heat it on the stove, then let it cool and set. It has a firmer, more custard-like consistency than typical American instant pudding. Dr. Oetker has been producing pudding powder since 1894.
What is Rote Grütze?
Rote Grütze ("red grits") is a traditional northern German berry compote, originally from the Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein region. It is made by cooking red berries — currants, raspberries, strawberries, cherries — with sugar and thickening with cornstarch. It is served warm or cold with cream, vanilla sauce or ice cream.