Lexi Webster
The Austrian Emperor's pancake, also known as Kaiserschmarrn, is a traditional Austrian dish that is famous throughout the country. It is a large, thick, fluffy pancake that is shredded into bite-sized pieces and served with a variety of toppings and sides. The name Kaiserschmarrn is derived from the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I, who was particularly fond of this sweet treat. The dish is typically served as a dessert or a light lunch and is often accompanied by fruit compotes, apple sauce, or plum and cranberry sauce.
Characteristics and Values of an Austrian Emperor's Pancake
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kaiserschmarrn, Emperor's Mess, Austrian Torn Pancake |
| Origin | Austria |
| Type | Dessert or light lunch |
| Texture | Fluffy, shredded, light |
| Taste | Sweet |
| Ingredients | Eggs, flour, milk, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, rum-soaked raisins |
| Serving | Large pancake torn into bite-sized pieces |
| Accompaniments | Plum compote, apple sauce, cranberry sauce, fruit compote, confectioner's sugar |
| Calories | 257.2 |
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What You'll Learn
The Austrian Emperor
Kaiserschmarrn is a lightly caramelized, sweet, and fluffy pancake. It is a large, thick pancake that is torn into bite-sized pieces. The pancake is shredded using two forks during frying and is usually sprinkled with powdered sugar. It is then served hot with apple or plum sauce or various fruit compotes, including plum, lingonberry, strawberry, or apple.
There are several legends about the origin of this dessert. One story claims that the emperor once visited a farmer while hungry from hunting. The farmer only had a few ingredients, so he decided to make pancakes. Nervous about the important guest, he accidentally let the pancakes fall apart and covered the pieces with plum compote. Another legend says that a court cook wanted to please the emperor's wife, Princess Sisi, who was watching her weight, so he prepared a fluffy and delicate pancake. However, the princess was very picky and did not like it. The emperor then supposedly said, "give me this mess (Schmarren), that our Leopold (the cook) has prepared."
Kaiserschmarrn is a detailed recipe that requires careful preparation. It is baked in the oven for about 10 minutes and then finished on the stovetop. The batter is a combination of flour, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and butter. The egg whites are beaten with salt and sugar until soft-to-firm peaks form, and then folded into the batter. The pancake is fried in butter until golden, and then torn into pieces and served with the desired toppings and accompaniments.
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Kaiserschmarrn
Preparing Kaiserschmarrn involves combining flour, sugar, salt, milk, egg yolks, and egg whites. The flour, sugar, and salt are sifted together in a mixing bowl, and then milk is slowly poured into the dry mixture while stirring. The egg yolks are added one at a time, ensuring each is well blended before adding the next. In a separate bowl, the egg whites are beaten until stiff peaks form. A portion of these egg whites is then gently stirred into the batter, and the remaining egg whites are folded in. Butter is melted in a skillet over moderate heat, and half of the batter is poured and cooked for about 3 to 4 minutes until browned. The pancake is then loosened with a spatula, inverted back into the skillet to cook the other side, and finally served warm.
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Recipe
Kaiserschmarrn, or the Emperor's Pancake, is a famous Austrian dessert. It is a lightly caramelized, fluffy pancake, served with plum compote or apple sauce. The name Kaiserschmarrn is a compound of the words Kaiser ('emperor') and Schmarren (a scrambled or shredded dish). The dish is named after the Austrian emperor, Kaiser Franz Joseph I, who was very fond of this sweet treat.
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Eggs
- Milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Butter
- Raisins
- Rum or lemon juice
- Salt
Instructions:
- Combine the raisins and rum or lemon juice in a small bowl. Set aside for 30 minutes while preparing the other ingredients.
- Sift flour, sugar, and salt together in a mixing bowl.
- Pour the milk slowly into the dry mixture while stirring.
- Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating until well blended before adding the next yolk.
- Place the egg whites in a separate bowl and beat until soft peaks form. Do not beat until stiff as this will make it harder to fold into the batter later.
- Gently stir 1/3 of the egg whites into the batter.
- Fold in the remaining egg whites.
- Melt butter in a skillet over moderate heat.
- When the butter is sizzling, pour in half the batter and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Loosen the edges of the pancake with a spatula and slide it onto a plate.
- Invert the pancake back into the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until the underside is brown.
- Prepare the second pancake in the same manner.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Tear the pancakes into rough pieces with two forks and serve immediately.
Garnishes:
Kaiserschmarrn can be garnished with powdered sugar and served with plum compote or apple sauce. For a more authentic experience, you can soak the raisins in brown rum before adding them to the batter.
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Serving suggestions
Kaiserschmarrn, or the Austrian Emperor's Pancake, is a popular dessert in Austria and is usually served with a generous dusting of confectioner's or powdered sugar. The sugar can be sprinkled through a sieve to evenly distribute it across the pancake.
The pancake is often served with a compote, such as plum or Zwetschgenröster, a traditional Austrian fruit compote made with plums. It can also be served with other fruit compotes, such as lingonberry, strawberry, or apple. Alternatively, it can be served with apple sauce or caramelized plum and cranberry sauce. For those with more of a sweet tooth, the pancake can be served with vanilla ice cream.
The pancake can also be served with raisins or dried cranberries. The raisins can be soaked in brown rum or lemon juice before being added to the batter or served on the side.
Kaiserschmarrn can be served as a dessert or a light lunch. It is a very filling meal, so it is perfect for sharing with family or friends.
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History
The Austrian Emperor's pancake, also known as Kaiserschmarrn, is a traditional Austrian dessert. It is a lightly caramelized, fluffy pancake that is shredded into bite-sized pieces. The name Kaiserschmarrn is derived from the Austrian emperor, Kaiser Franz Joseph I (1830-1916), who was very fond of this sweet delicacy.
There are several legends surrounding the origin of Kaiserschmarrn. One story claims that the emperor, while hunting, stopped by a nearby farmer's house due to hunger. The farmer, with limited ingredients, attempted to make pancakes but accidentally dropped them, causing them to fall apart. Undeterred, he topped the pieces with plum compote, creating the dish now known as Kaiserschmarrn.
Another tale involves the court cook's attempt to please Princess Sisi, the emperor's wife, who was watching her weight. The cook prepared a fluffy and delicate pancake, but unfortunately, the princess was not a fan. However, the emperor enjoyed it and exclaimed, "give me this mess (Schmarren) that our Leopold (the cook) has prepared." From that day on, the pancake bore his name.
Kaiserschmarrn is typically served with plum compote (Zwetschgenröster) or apple sauce, and it may include raisins or dried cranberries. It can be enjoyed as a dessert or a light lunch and is often accompanied by a variety of fruit compotes, such as lingonberry, strawberry, or other seasonal fruits. In Austria, it is a popular dish at tourist spots like mountainside restaurants and taverns in the Austrian Alps.
The preparation of Kaiserschmarrn involves making a large, thick pancake that is then torn into smaller pieces. The basic ingredients include flour, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract or sugar, and butter. The raisins are often soaked in rum or lemon juice, adding a unique twist to this traditional treat.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a lightly caramelized, fluffy pancake that is torn into bite-sized pieces. It is served with plum compote or apple sauce.
The Austrian Emperor's pancake is called Kaiserschmarrn, Kaiserschmarren, or Emperor's Mess.
There are many theories about the origin of this dish. One theory suggests that it was created by a farmer who was visited by the hungry Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I during a hunt. Nervous about the important guest, the farmer accidentally let the pancake fall apart and served it with plum compote. Another legend says that a court cook made it to please Princess Sisi, the emperor's wife, but she didn't like it. The emperor, however, enjoyed it and said, "give me this mess (Schmarren), that our Leopold (the cook) has prepared."
Kaiserschmarrn is a compound of the words Kaiser, meaning 'emperor', and Schmarren, referring to a scrambled or shredded dish.
The Kaiserschmarrn batter is similar to a regular pancake batter, with whipped egg whites folded in. It typically includes flour, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and butter.
