Berliners, also called "Berliner Pfannkuchen" in Germany, are delicious doughnuts filled with jam, cream, or even chocolate. Soft and golden, they are perfect for a sweet snack or special occasion. Discover how to make them at home with this simple, traditional recipe.
Ingredients
For about 10 Berliners, here’s what you’ll need:
-
500 g wheat flour
-
200 ml warm milk
-
80 g sugar
-
80 g softened butter
-
2 eggs
-
20 g fresh baker's yeast (or 7 g dry yeast)
-
A pinch of salt
-
1 tablespoon rum (optional)
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
Jam, custard, or spread for filling
-
Powdered sugar for decoration
-
Oil for frying
Preparation
1. Dough preparation
Dissolve the yeast in warm milk with a spoonful of sugar and let rest for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, mix the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the eggs, softened butter, rum, and vanilla extract. Then incorporate the dissolved yeast and knead until you get a smooth, elastic dough.
2. First rise
Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let rise for about 1 hour 30 minutes, until it doubles in size.
3. Shaping the Berliners
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1.5 cm thick. Cut circles with a cookie cutter or glass. Place them on a baking sheet and let rise for another 30 minutes.
4. Cooking
Heat the oil to 170°C in a pot. Fry the Berliners for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
5. Filling and finishing
Using a piping bag, fill each doughnut with jam, custard, or chocolate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before enjoying.
Tips for perfect Berliners
-
Be careful not to overheat the oil to avoid burning the doughnuts.
-
For an even softer texture, let the dough rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight.
-
Experiment with different fillings like applesauce or caramel.
Enjoy these delicious doughnuts and share them with your loved ones! 😊