Donauwellen

Donauwellen, meaning Danube waves, is a traditional cake widely prepared in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking regions. The name refers to the decorative topping, whose white and dark stripes evoke waves on the Danube (Donau). The cake is typically a two-color sponge dessert with a cream and cherry filling and a patterned glaze.

The standard construction uses two sponge layers—one light vanilla and one dark chocolate—either baked separately and stacked or baked in a single sheet with two color zones. After baking, the sponges are layered with a filling of whipped cream and cherries. The top is coated with a glossy chocolate glaze and often finished with a white icing line drawn in a wavy pattern to recreate the waves.

Variations exist in the size, proportion of sponge to filling, and in decorative approach. Some recipes differ in whether the vanilla and chocolate components are placed side by side on the surface or as alternating layers, and some omit the decorative wave pattern. Donauwellen is typically served chilled and cut into square or rectangular portions.