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You are here: Home / Continent / Europe / Central Europe / Austria / Austria: Kaiserschmarrn

Austria: Kaiserschmarrn

March 24, 2019 by Mike Benayoun 6 Comments

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Kaiserschmarrn is a very light and airy Austrian pancake prepared with a sweet dough made with eggs, flour and sugar and cooked in butter. #breakfast #brunch #austria

Austria

Kaiserschmarrn

Austria is known for its delicious cuisine and especially its desserts, including tortes, breads, cakes, pastries or chocolates.

What is Kaiserschmarrn?

Kaiserschmarrn is an emblematic dessert of the central European country. A dessert that everyone knows and that even the greatest Austrian chefs often feature on their menu.

Kaiserschmarrn is a “shredded” pancake, literally “kaiser hodgepodge” or “kaiser mishmash” which takes its name from Kaiser Franz Joseph I of Austria (1830-1916). Another royal recipe just like French galette des rois, chocolate charlotte, or Margherita pizza.

The success of this scrambled pancake dessert has gone beyond Austria as it is also famous in southern Germany, Hungary, Slovenia and northern Croatia.

Kaiserschmarrn is a very airy pancake prepared with a light sweet dough made with eggs, flour and sugar, and cooked in butter. This dessert can be garnished in various ways, but the most common toppings include nuts, cherries, plums, apple or plum sauce (Zwetschkenröster), apple pieces or almonds, although the traditional topping is raisins soaked in rum.

Kaiserschmarrn

The different variants of Kaiserschmarrn

There are several versions of the Kaiserschmarrn recipe which have been created over time such as Erdäpfelschmarren with potatoes, Äpfelschmarren with apples, or Kirschschmarren with cherries.

What is the origin of Kaiserschmarrn?

Many stories and legends tell the origin of one of the most famous Austrian desserts.

One legend says that the Emperor was once offered a Holzfällerschmarrn, a traditionally poor dish as he was hunting in the Salzkammergut region and he had to take refuge at a couple of farmers’ house because of bad weather. The recipe was improved with milk, eggs and raisins into a more noble dessert. This dessert was then called Kaiserschmarrn.

Another legend says that the Emperor loved pastries for dessert, especially Palatschinken (the Austrian version of French crepes). If they were unsuccessful, for example too thin or too thick, they were served to the staff as the Kaiser refused to eat them. The translation of Kaiserschmarrn would here give something like it is a “folly to serve to the Emperor”.

Another legend involves the wife of the Kaiser, the Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Yes, we are indeed talking about Sissi! Remember Sissi? She was immortalized by Romy Schneider on the screen. Sissi who was obsessed with her hourglass figure used to ask the chef to prepare light desserts, which apparently annoyed her husband. One day, the chef prepared the famous pancake that she refused to eat, but that her husband absolutely loved.

Kaiserschmarrn was a huge success at home. This dessert is perfect for a weekend brunch. A quick and easy recipe, that can be prepared not only with pronounceable ingredients but with ingredients that everyone can find in his pantry!
 
traditional Kaiserschmarrn

5 from 1 vote
Kaiserschmarrn
Print
Kaiserschmarrn
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Kaiserschmarrn is a very light and airy Austrian pancake prepared with a sweet dough made with eggs, flour and sugar and cooked in butter.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Austrian, Vegetarian
Servings: 4 people
Author: Mike Benayoun
Ingredients
For the Kaiserschmarrn
  • 3 tablespoons raisins
  • 3 tablespoons dark rum
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 5 eggs
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons icing sugar for dusting
For the strawberry compote
  • 16 oz. fresh strawberries
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • ¼ cup sugar
Instructions
Kaiserschmarrn
  1. In a small bowl, soak the raisins in rum for about 15 minutes.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla. Gradually add flour to make a smooth batter.
  3. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
  4. Pour the batter into the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the Kaiserschmarrn slightly sets and the bottom is lightly golden.
  5. Flip the pancake and cook the other side. If the Kaiserschmarrn breaks into pieces, it's fine. It is also possible to cut it into quarters before turning it over, quarter by quarter.
  6. Add the raisins soaked in rum.
  7. Using a spatula or a fork, tear the pancake into bite size pieces as it continues to cook for a few minutes.
  8. Serve in a dish. Dust with icing sugar and serve for example, with strawberry compote (recipe below).
Strawberry Compote
  1. Cut strawberries coarsely.
  2. Put the strawberries, lemon juice and sugar in a saucepan and simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, while stirring regularly.

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Mike Benayoun
Mike Benayoun
Mike is “the devil” of the 196 flavors' duo. Nicknamed as such by his friends, he is constantly in search of unusual recipes and techniques with impossible to find ingredients. The devil is always pushing the envelope, whether it is with humor or culinary surprises.
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Filed Under: Austria, Central Europe, Dairy, Dessert, Europe, Vegetarian Tagged With: egg, flour, icing sugar, milk, raisin, rum

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Del's cooking twist says

    March 25, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    Juste merveilleux et de toute beauté, avec de photos des plus gourmandes. J’irais bien en Autriche pour le goûter aujourd’hui !!

    Reply
  2. Libby with Lemony Thyme says

    March 25, 2015 at 2:50 pm

    Such a lovely, yet simple dish. These would be wonderful for Easter Brunch too. Yummy.

    Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    March 25, 2015 at 2:59 pm

    What a beautiful dessert for this time of year Mike!

    Reply
  4. Catherine says

    March 26, 2015 at 5:20 am

    I would very much like to try this. What an absolutely beautiful dessert. Happy to have discovered your site…it is beautiful! Have a wonderful day and Happy Birthday. Blessings, Catherine

    Reply
  5. christine says

    March 26, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    I’ve also never heard of this but it sure does sound delicious and it is gorgeous. I can see this as a lovely brunch item!

    Reply
  6. Yves says

    June 1, 2019 at 5:05 pm

    A great take on pancakes. Love it

    Reply

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