Kucken probably means kuchen, German for cake, but used to refer to other pastries as well.
A family recipe provided by Jennifer Kiel of Washington, DC, from her mother-in-law’s collection, started in Kent, Ohio.
Kate’s Buns
Melt 1 lb. oleo.
Add:
- 2 c. milk
- 1 c. sugar
- 1 tsp. salt, and dissolve in
- 2 cakes yeast. Add
- 4 beaten eggs
- 8 cups flour
Mixture will be soft. Place in refrigerator. Next day make into rolls, kucken or whatever you desire. Bake at 400 degrees.
This dough can be rolled into rectangles 4 1/2″ x 9″ and the edges folded over to make small christmas trees. Cut with sears almost to the center to form the boughs.
Fillings:
1 c. raspberry or cherry or any tart jam
1 c. cocoanut flakes
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1 c. finely cut dates
1/4 c. seeded raisins
3/4 c. water
1/4 c. finely cut nut meats
Combine dates, raisins and water in a saucepan. cook until thick. Stir to keep from scorching. Cool and blend in nuts.
Christmas trees can also be made by rolling the dough in squares of any size desired and then folding over to form a rectangle. Cut with shears to form boughs. You can also twist each bough for better effect if the trees are large enough.
Honey Filling:
Combine 1/2 cup honey; 1/4 cup sugar; grated rind of one orange or lemon; 1 Tbsp. orange or lemon juice; 1 tsp. cinnamon; 1/3 cup raisins cut fine; 1/3 cup nuts, chopped fine and 1 Tbsp. melted butter or margarine.
Larger Quantity Date Filling:
3 cups cut up dates
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened (about 10 minutes). Cool.
Prune-Orange Filling:
3 cups cut-up cooked prunes, drained
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. grated orange rind
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened (about 10 minutes). Cool.