Kaiserschmarrn ~ Torn Pancakes

➤ by Oma Gerhild Fulson

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Kaiserschmarrn, aka Torn or Scrambled Pancakes, are among those homemade pancakes recipes that will remind you of Oma's kitchen. A real traditional German pancake dish that actually stems from Austria. Below are two recipes. The first one is the more traditional one. The second is a quicker, also delicious one. Try them both and see which you like best.

"Schmarrn" is a 16th century German word meaning "to smear" or "to pain". It's difficult to figure out the connection! The sweet version of this German pancake recipe is called Kaiserschmarrn (Kaiser's).

1.  German Torn Pancakes aka Kaiserschmarrn Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs, separated
• ¾ cup flour
• ½ cup milk
• pinch salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 4 oz raisins
• 4 Tbsp butter
• powdered sugar to sprinkle over pancakes

Instructions:

• Mix together egg yolks, flour, milk, salt, baking powder and sugar till well mixed. Let batter stand for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat egg whites until stiff.
• Gently fold egg whites into batter.
• Gently fold in raisins.
• In frying pan, melt 2 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Pour in batter and fry until cooked on bottom.
• Flip pancake, adding 2 Tbsp butter, and continue to cook on other side until crispy.
• Using two forks, tear pancake into pieces and continue cooking briefly.
• Serve, dusted with powdered sugar. Tastes great served with fruit or fruit sauce.

More Schmarrn ...

• There's one made with bread called "Semmelschmarrn"
• One made with Cream of Wheat called "Grießchmarrn"
• Being German, of course there's one made with potatoes called "Kartoffelschmarrn"

I was asked about this some time ago. Roger was looking for a recipe for Crostedi. I was finally able to track it down as Kratzeti which is the Austrian name for these pancakes and are very popular in the Swabian or Bavarian region of southern Germany.

In response to Roger's question, I posted a recipe for "Kratzeti" under his request. It's a really simplified version of this traditional homemade pancakes recipes.

Above is the more traditional recipe for this treat. Served at breakfast, lunch, or a light supper, you'll find it a reminder of Oma's kitchen. Yummy, yummy!

2.  Kratzeti or Schmarrn

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour, all-purpose
• pinch salt
• 4 eggs
• ½ cup milk

Instructions:

1. Whisk together until well mixed. 
2. Let stand about 20 - 30 minutes.
3. Melt about 2 - 3 Tbsp butter in frying pan. Add pancake batter. 
4. When bottom of pancake has browned, turn pancake over, tearing into pieces with a fork.
5. Continue frying till all is golden brown.
6. Serve, sprinkled with sugar.

Hints:

• If you wish, you can add 2 Tbsp. sugar to the pancake batter as well.

German Breakfast Recipes

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