The pastries in northern Germany have been very disappointing, with hardly a pastry to found that was worth writing home about. Most were very bready, with a sweet icing sugar based topping (I’m not a big fan). Here’s a selection of the good the bad and the ugly.

Phlaumeschnitte – I’m hoping this is the exception rather than the rule for German pastries. 1/2 a star for looks and that’s it. A tasteless plum topping on top of cake like bread. I couldn’t even finish it…..

A weird local thing – hmmmm. Not good. Congealed butter and sugar a centre metre thick over a sponge.

Appfelkuchen – at last a good German pastry! A lovely dense sponge with apple and apricot on a smother of custard and laced with sultanas. And not too sweet. Tastes like something delicious my grandmother might make. 4 stars.