Eierschecke is the German layer cake with a quark-based cheesecake middle layer and a vanilla custard top layer.
The cake is especially associated with Saxony and Thuringia, with Dresden’s version known as Dresdner Eierschecke. Its traditional structure has three parts: a cake base, a middle layer containing quark, and an upper egg-custard layer flavored with vanilla. The base may be made from yeast dough, shortcrust pastry, or another cake-like dough depending on the regional recipe.
The name is linked to “Schecke,” a medieval German garment described as having three visually distinct sections. That three-part appearance is echoed in the cake’s base, middle, and top. “Eier” means eggs, highlighting the egg-rich upper layer.
Eierschecke is baked and commonly cut into rectangular pieces for serving with coffee. Variations may include raisins, almonds, streusel, or chocolate. A notable regional contrast is Freiberger Eierschecke, which is flatter and traditionally lacks quark, so recipes are not identical across Saxony.