Emperor's delight: The simple art of crafting Kaiserschmarrn
Kaiserschmarrn, or emperor's omelette, is a beloved Austrian dessert for a luxurious breakfast. With a texture reminiscent of a fluffy soufflé, every forkful is a delight that simply melts in your mouth. Fortunately, it's straightforward to whip up at home, requiring ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
23 March 2024 15:13
In Austria, while typically enjoyed as a dessert, who’s to say it can’t be indulged in for a weekend breakfast? The emperor's omelette pays homage to Emperor Franz Joseph I, a known fan of sweet treats. Its extraordinarily soft and fluffy texture echoes a delicate soufflé. Impressively, it can be prepared in under 5 minutes. Ready to learn how?
The emperor's omelet: a dessert worthy of the royal court
Debuted in 1832, Kaiserschmarrn or the emperor's omelette, was first served at the imperial-royal confectionery Zauner, famed for its desserts and sweet pastries. Emperor Franz Joseph I, a frequent patron, reputedly had a keen fondness for sweets, with the emperor's omelette ranking high among his preferred indulgences.
It's usually served as a main, a staple in the roster of traditional Austrian dishes for years. This simple creation involves milk, wheat flour, and eggs. The batter is cooked on a low flame in a heated pan and covered. Towards the end, the omelette is torn into bite-size pieces and traditionally garnished with powdered sugar. Common accompaniments include raisins, rum-soaked raisins, or stewed apples, though any fruit or your favourite jam is perfect.
Recipe for the emperor's omelet
Ingredients:
- 125 grams of wheat flour,
- 120ml of milk,
- 4 eggs,
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder,
- 2 tablespoons of butter,
- Powdered sugar,
- Optionally: raisins, berries, seasonal fruit, preferred jam, dulce de leche.
Preparation:
- Begin by separating the whites from the yolks. Combine the yolks with milk, and whip the whites until stiff peaks form. A pinch of salt or a little lemon juice can help if they're not stiffening as expected.
- Mix the sifted flour with the yolks, adding 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and the baking powder. Blend to a smooth consistency. Gently fold the beaten whites with a silicone spatula, ensuring the mixture stays airy.
- Heat a pan over low and melt the butter. Once melted, add the batter, cover, and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes. Flip the omelette, tear it into smaller pieces, and cook for another few minutes.
- Once done, generously dust the powdered sugar and serve it with your choice of fruit or other favoured additions.
