{Kaiserschmarren} Austrian Pancakes Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (2024)

  • BY Hilary Merzbacher
  • PublishedFebruary 1, 2016
  • Updated April 21, 2023

Jump to Recipe

When it comes to Austrian sweets, you probably think of elaborate strudel-wrapped pastries, precious marzipan confections, or the iconic Sachertorte, which originated in Vienna’s most exclusive hotel. But when I moved to Vienna last January, these elaborate treats weren’t exactly the ones I craved. To ease my transition into my life abroad, and to counteract the incredibly chilly, gray weather, I wanted something warm, unfussy, and most of all, über-comforting.

It turns out that Kaiserschmarren — essentially a fluffy, shredded pancake — was just the ticket. And although I was first introduced to this classic recipe at the famous Cafe Landtmann, it’s easy to recreate at home. The light batter, studded with rum-soaked raisins, comes together quickly and is baked into a single, jumbo-sized pancake.

Then, comes the game changer — the whole thing is torn into bite-sized, pillowy pieces and sautéed until the rough edges are caramelized and ready to accept a generous dusting of confectioners’ sugar. Often served directly in the pan, with a side of applesauce, Kaiserschmarren is comfort food at is finest — it’s warm, just indulgent enough, and can be whipped up from simple pantry ingredients whenever a craving strikes.

Gostock up on all your cooking essentialsthen head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us bytagging@saltandwindand#swsocietyon social!

{Kaiserschmarren} Austrian Pancakes Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (1)

{Kaiserschmarren} Austrian Pancakes Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (2)

{Kaiserschmarren} Austrian Rum-Raisin Shredded Pancake Recipe

Kaiserschmarren essentially is a fluffy, shredded pancake made with rum, raisin, and goodness.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 2 tablespoons aged rum
  • 5 large eggs separated
  • 1 cup milk (can use almond milk)
  • 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanila bean paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Confectioners' sugar plus apple sauce, jam, stewed fruit, or fresh fruit, for serving

Instructions

  • Make The Custard:Heat the oven to 400ºF and arrange a rack in the middle. Combine the raisins and rum in a small bowl and set aside.

    Whisk the egg yolks, milk, flour, salt, vanilla and lemon zest together in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth then set aside to stand for 10 minutes.

  • Whip The Egg Whites:In a second bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on medium-low speed until frothy, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar, increase the mixer to medium and beat until glossy, soft peaks form, about 3 to 4 minutes more.

    Stir one-third of the egg whites into the yolk mixture until fully combined. Then gently fold the remaining egg whites into the yolk mixture until fully incorporated.

  • Bake The Pancake:In a 12-inch ovenproof frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat until foam subsides. Swirl the pan to distribute the butter, then pour in the batter and sprinkle the raisins and any remaining rum over the surface. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until top is puffed, and both sides are golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes.

  • Cut Up The Pancake And Serve:Remove the pan from the oven and divide the pancake into rough 1 to 2-inch pieces using spatula or two forks. Return the pan to the stove and cook the Kaiserschmarren over medium heat, tossing frequently until the torn edges are caramelized, about 5 minutes more.

    Remove the pan from the heat and dust generously with confectioners’ sugar. Serve with applesauce, jam or fruit, as desired.

PERSONAL NOTES

Click here to add your own private notes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 385kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 13gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 255mgSodium: 116mgPotassium: 290mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 611IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Classic Austrian dessert

Tried this recipe?Mention @saltandwind or tag #swsociety!

Travel Planning Resources

This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our privacy policy.

  • Iconic Recipes, Recipes

About The Author

{Kaiserschmarren} Austrian Pancakes Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (9)

Hilary Merzbacher

Hilary is a former New York City food editor who recently made the leap across the pond to join her winemaker husband in Vienna, Austria. When she's not busy working at the familywinery, you’ll find her in the kitchen, trying to master yet another classic Austrian recipe.

Posts By This Author →

{Kaiserschmarren} Austrian Pancakes Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (10)

Hilary Merzbacher

Hilary is a former New York City food editor who recently made the leap across the pond to join her winemaker husband in Vienna, Austria. When she's not busy working at the familywinery, you’ll find her in the kitchen, trying to master yet another classic Austrian recipe.

View Posts By This Author →

Leave a Comment

TRAVEL SERVICES

We'll help you tasteItalyMexicoCaliforniaHawaiiMexicoFranceSpainthe world

Food Focused Experiences

We specialize in food-focused experiences in the most interesting culinary regions of the world.

Small Group Trips

We host unique small group trips to California, Italy, and Mexico from Sicily to Oaxaca.

Custom Itineraries

Our tailored-to-you trip planning services help you make the most of your trip.

{Kaiserschmarren} Austrian Pancakes Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (2024)

FAQs

What is Kaiserschmarrn made of? ›

Kaiserschmarren is a light, caramelized pancake made from a sweet batter using flour, eggs, sugar, salt, and milk, fried in butter.

When was Kaiserschmarrn invented? ›

There are many legends on the origins of Kaiserschmarrn. Wikipedia provides the most fanciful legend surrounding its creation by the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in the days of the Empire. It is generally agreed that the dish was first prepared for the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I (1830–1916).

How to make homemade pancakes Paula Deen? ›

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Stir in the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Pour ¼ cup of pancake batter for each pancake onto the griddle. Cook until the edges start to set and the pancakes are golden-brown underneath.

What does starch do in a pancake? ›

These cornstarch particles will disperse themselves throughout the batter, ultimately blocking gluten strands from interacting with each other and ensuring we have a tender pancake.

What is the other name for Kaiserschmarrn? ›

Kaiserschmarrn is a well-known Austrian dessert. It was popular in the former Austria–Hungary as well as in Bavaria. The Czech name is "trhanec" or "kajzršmorn". In Hungary it is called "császármorzsa" or simply "smarni".

What classic Austrian dessert is traditionally served on Christmas in England? ›

Kaiserschmarrn is a sweet fluffy pancake, torn into small pieces, covered with powdered sugar and served with a fruit compote. You'll find this sweet treat at many Christmas markets and some restaurants, served as a dessert, not breakfast.

What is a fun fact about Kaiserschmarrn? ›

Various stories surround the origins of the dish, all of which relate to the name. Kaiser is German for Emperor and Schmarrn is a colloquial expression for a mess or nonsense, often uttered in exasperation at some unfortunate situation. (Ironically, I tend to make a Schmarrn of making Kaiserschmarren.)

What is the literal translation of Kaiserschmarrn? ›

The name means “imperial mess” in German. The story goes that a frazzled farmer created the dish in a tizzy when Austria's Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife showed up hungry at his home.

Who made the first pancake in the world? ›

History. The Ancient Greeks made pancakes called τηγανίτης (tēganitēs), ταγηνίτης (tagēnitēs) or ταγηνίας (tagēnias), all words deriving from τάγηνον (tagēnon), "frying pan". The earliest attested references to tagenias are in the works of the 5th-century BC poets Cratinus and Magnes.

Why do you put milk instead of water in pancakes? ›

Can I Use Water Instead of Milk in Pancakes? Milk adds both flavor and texture to pancake batter, so if you are looking to make pancakes without milk, a simple swap to water doesn't always do the trick. For pancakes made without milk, you'll want to add some flavor through melted butter and vanilla extract.

How to make Queen Elizabeth pancakes? ›

Beat two eggs with 4 tablespoons of sugar and about one teacup (or 3/4 of a cup) of milk. Add 4 teacups of flour and mix in another teacup of milk "as required" Mix in 3 teaspoons of cream of tartar and 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda (baking soda) Fold in 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

What does adding an extra egg to pancake mix do? ›

Eggs also give the batter additional, richer flavor from the yolk fat. If you add too many eggs, you'll have “pancakes” that look more like custard or crepes. When you don't add enough eggs, the cakes will be drier and tougher.

Why put salt in pancake batter? ›

Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the pancakes, but it won't make the pancakes taste salty. Milk and oil: Milk and oil add moisture and flavor to the pancake batter. Egg: A beaten egg lends more moisture and helps bind the batter together.

What is the secret of fluffy pancakes? ›

The secret is in the egg whites!

To give your pancakes that fluffy text, beat only the egg whites for 3 minutes on medium speed. They'll start turning creamy, which means it's time to add them to the pancake mixture. Use a wooden spatula to incorporate everything. There you have it!

What is Vietnamese pancake made of? ›

It is a savoury fried pancake made of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder. It can also be called a Vietnamese crêpe. Some common stuffings include pork, prawns, diced green onion, mung bean, and bean sprouts. Bánh xèo is often served with sides.

What is a Dutch baby pancake made of? ›

Dutch Baby Ingredients

Eggs and milk: This light and fluffy Dutch baby recipe starts with two eggs whisked with milk. Flour: All-purpose flour lends structure and helps hold the batter together. Seasonings: These sweet Dutch babies are flavored with nutmeg and a pinch of salt.

What are Chinese pancakes made of? ›

  • Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Nicotinamide, Thiamine),
  • Water,
  • Rapeseed Oil,
  • Potato Starch,
  • Salt.

What is Swedish pancakes made of? ›

The batter for Swedish pancakes contains a higher ratio of milk, butter, and eggs to flour, resulting in something that's lighter and fluffier than crêpes. Swedish pancakes are also traditionally served with jam (lingonberry or strawberry) and whipped cream, although these days, anything goes.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 6444

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.