How to make the perfect Kaiserschmarrn: a traditional Austrian recipe with fluffy dough and caramelized raisins. It’s not just your children who will love this dish from the winter vacations!
🥣 The best Kaiserschmarrn from Austria – original recipe & tips
A real piece of Alpine culinary culture: Kaiserschmarrn, the fluffy classic pastry with history and flavor. Whether at a mountain hut or in your vacation apartment – this pancake will leave you wanting more. Here you will not only find out how to prepare it perfectly, but also why it is so popular in Austrian cuisine.
🌄 Origin & tradition
- The name Kaiserschmarrn allegedly goes back to Emperor Franz Joseph I – the word “Schmarr’n” is said to come from his reaction:
“Well, just give me the Schmarren…” - In Austria, Kaiserschmarrn is more than just a vacation dessert – it combines regional ingredients, tradition and a mountain hut atmosphere. The best versions are made in smaller mountain huts, often with homemade ingredients such as eggs and regional butter.
🧾 Ingredients & recipe
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 250 ml milk
- 150 g flour (plain)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 sachet of vanilla sugar
- 30 g butter
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling
- Apple sauce or stewed plums as a side dish
Preparation
- Separate the eggs. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff.
- Beat the egg yolks with the sugar and vanilla sugar until frothy.
- Stir the flour and milk alternately into the egg yolk mixture.
- Carefully fold in the beaten egg whites to obtain an airy consistency.
- Melt the butter in a frying pan and pour in the batter. Fry over a medium heat.
- Turn the pancakes (using a plate or two spatulas if necessary) and continue to bake.
- Tear into pieces with two forks and caramelize until golden brown.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with apple sauce or stewed plums.
🔍 Professional tips for perfect Schmarrn
- Raisins: a classic in many recipes, often soaked in rum – if you don’t like them, simply leave them out. Garnishes such as cranberries or stewed plums provide a contrast in taste
- Gently fold in the egg whites for maximum fluffiness, but do not beat too stiffly so that the batter remains nice and fluffy.
- The right thickness of dough: approx. 1-1.5 cm high in the pan – thicker than pancakes, which gives the Schmarrn its typical juicy center.
- Caramelize: After tearing, sprinkle sugar or powdered sugar into the hot pieces – leave to caramelize in the pan for the typical aroma.
🍯 The perfect accompaniment: side dishes & variations
- Plum compote or apple sauce are typical, we also like to use homemade varieties for an even more intense flavor
- Cranberries (Grantn) bring acidity and fresh contrast to the sweet Schmarrn – perfect if you don’t want it to be too sticky.
- Cranberry variation: Mix the dough with fresh cranberries instead of raisins – a fruity twist.
- Hollerkoch – elderberry roaster: sweet fruit compote made from elderberries, often refined with apples, pears or plums
📚 More gourmet articles from the Grubhof
- Make your own cranberry jam – discover the red gold from the Alps
- Cranberry dumplings like from the mountain hut – for lovers of sweet alpine classics
- Hollerkoch – Hollerröster – the traditional side dish for Kaiserschmarrn
🏡 Holiday enjoyment at the Grubhof: immerse yourself in cooking & relaxing
Would you like to enjoy Kaiserschmarrn in your vacation apartment just like grandma used to? Then visit the Mitterer vacation apartments in St. Martin bei Lofer – in the middle of the Salzburger Saalachtal, right at the foot of the Loferer Steinberge. Our high-quality vacation apartments are your temporary home, with good facilities and plenty of space for enjoyment & relaxation.
Combine a day of hiking or wellness with the magic of this traditional dish – regional products, mountain air and family hospitality.
📆 Check availability and book your vacation apartment now:
👉 Book online now
Conclusion
This recipe for original Austrian Kaiserschmarrn is simple and delicious. Try it out and enjoy a piece of Austria on your plate!