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Make your own Franzbrötchen - enjoy a piece of Hamburg tradition at home

Jan 11, 2025·Last update: Jul 22, 2025

Make your own Franzbrötchen - enjoy a piece of Hamburg tradition at home

Anyone who has ever been to Hamburg has certainly tasted them or at least heard of them: Franzbrötchen. These unmistakable, cinnamon-y croissants are a Hamburg specialty and are becoming increasingly popular - even far beyond the borders of the Hanseatic city. But what makes these delicious pastries so special and how can you make Franzbrötchen yourself? In this blog article, you will learn everything you need to know to bring the unique taste of this traditional pastry into your own kitchen.

What are Franzbrötchen?

Franzbrötchen are sweet pastries made from yeast dough and filled with sugar and cinnamon. The typical shape is created by rolling up the dough and pressing it in with a wooden spoon handle, which makes the characteristic "cinnamon waves" visible. The origins of the Franzbrötchen lie in Hamburg, but there are many theories about how this pastry came about. One of the best-known stories is that it originated as the North German answer to the French croissant - hence the name.


Why make your own Franzbrötchen?

Homemade Franzbrötchen offer you many advantages:

  1. Freshness: nothing beats the smell of freshly baked Franzbrötchen in your own kitchen.

  2. Quality: You can choose your own ingredients and avoid preservatives.

  3. Individuality: Whether with raisins, chocolate or classic - you decide how your Franzbrötchen should taste.


The perfect Franzbrötchen spice: your secret to an authentic taste

The choice of spices plays a key role in making your homemade Franzbrötchen taste truly authentic. The Franzbrötchen spice from allerFeinst! has been specially developed for this pastry. With a perfectly balanced blend of high-quality cinnamon, vanilla, cloves and a hint of cardamom, it brings the typical taste directly into your kitchen. Whether you want to make French rolls, cinnamon buns or other sweet baked goods, this spice will give your creations that certain something.


Make your own French rolls: The recipe

Here you will find a simple and sure-fire recipe for Franzbrötchen.

Ingredients for approx. 8 French rolls:

For the yeast dough:

  • 500 g flour (type 405)

  • 7 g dry yeast or 20 g fresh yeast

  • 250 ml lukewarm milk

  • 80 g soft butter

  • 50 g sugar

  • 1 pinch of salt

For the filling:

Additionally:

  • Flour for rolling out

  • baking paper

Preparation:

  1. Prepare the yeast dough:

    • Heat the milk slightly (not too hot) and dissolve the yeast in it. Add the sugar and leave to stand briefly until small bubbles form.

    • Place the flour, salt, soft butter and yeast mixture in a bowl and knead into a smooth dough. Cover the dough and leave to rise in a warm place for approx. 1 hour until it has doubled in size.

  2. Make the filling:

    • Mix the softened butter with the Franzbrötchen spice to form a spreadable mixture.

  3. Roll out the dough and fill:

    • Roll out the yeast dough into a rectangle on a floured work surface (approx. 40 x 30 cm).

    • Spread the spice and butter mixture evenly over the dough.

    • Roll up the dough tightly from the longer side.

  4. Shape into French rolls:

    • Cut the roll of dough into pieces approx. 3 cm wide.

    • Place each piece with the cut surface facing upwards and press into the middle with a wooden spoon handle to create the typical Franzbrötchen shape.

  5. Bake:

    • Place the shaped Franzbrötchen on a baking tray lined with baking paper, cover and leave to rise for another 20 minutes.

    • Preheat the oven to 180°C top/bottom heat and bake the Franzbrötchen for approx. 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

  6. Enjoy:

    • Remove the Franzbrötchen from the oven and leave to cool slightly. Best served fresh!


Vary the Franzbrötchen: Your creative options

If you fancy a change, you can customize your Franzbrötchen. Here are a few ideas:

  • With chocolate: Sprinkle chopped chocolate over the cinnamon and butter filling.

  • With nuts: Add chopped walnuts or almonds.

  • Savory: Try a savory version with cheese and herbs.


Buy Franzbrötchen spice online

The Franzbrötchen spice from allerFeinst! is your ideal companion for authentic enjoyment. This mixture turns every pastry into a taste sensation. You can order the spice directly here in the allerFeinst store and start your next baking session.


Conclusion: making Franzbrötchen yourself is worth it!

Making Franzbrötchen yourself is not only easy, but also incredibly fun. With the right Franzbrötchen spice and a little patience, you can conjure up the aroma and taste of Hamburg right in your home. Try it out and be inspired by this sweet classic!

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