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German kuchen; photo by Ingrid Eulenfan on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike)
Official State Dessert of South Dakota
Kuchen was designated the official state dessert of South Dakota in 2000. South Dakota also recognizes a state bread and a state drink.
Kuchen desserts are of German/Russian heritage, popular in many areas of German settlement in the United States, particularly North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, and Minnesota. All State Foods & Beverages
Different Varieties of Kuchen
Kuchen is the German word for "cake" and is used to describe a variety of different types of sweet desserts and pastries:
Pie-like pastry with a thick, "cakey" crust and a sweet custard-based filling (this is the prairie-style kuchen described in the South Dakota Legislative manual) or an apple-pie-like filling (often with sweet white icing on the top).
Rolled-pastry with a long spiral of dough filled, rolled, baked and then sliced to serve (nut roll).
Coffee cake-like pastry with veins and pockets of cinnamon and sugar baked throughout.
Cheesecake-like pastry with a yeast-raised crust filled with fruit (cherry is most popular) and a creamy custard.
