The Frankfurter Kranz is a cake specialty of Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Preparation starts with the baking of a firm sponge cake in a ring shaped baking tin. The cake is then sliced horizontally to divide it into two or three rings, and thick layers of buttercream icing are placed between the rings, usually with a layer of red jam (typically strawberry, blackcurrant or cherry jam). The outside of the cake is then thickly coated with more buttercream and topped with caramel-covered brittle nuts, called Krokant, toasted almond flakes and/or ground hazelnuts. Krokant is signature to this dish.
Frankfurter Kranz is considered a reminiscence of Frankfurt as the coronation city of the Holy Roman emperors. Its round shape and the sheath of brittle are intended to represent a golden crown, the cherries should be reminiscent of rubies.