Spice up your inbox with FREE German recipes and an exclusive free recipe ebook!
Biggest savings of the year! Our Black Friday Sale is on now.
Spice up your inbox with FREE German recipes and an exclusive free recipe ebook!
Oma's Kaiserschmarrn: Austrian Pancake – German Torn Pancakes
by: Gerhild Fulson / Oma Gerhild shares German recipes rooted in family tradition.
Published: August 23, 2012, Updated: April 16, 2025
Kaiserschmarrn, or “Emperor’s Mess,” is a fluffy, caramelized pancake that’s torn into pieces and served with a dusting of sugar. It may look messy, but it tastes royally good!
Kaiserschmarrn, aka, torn Pancake, is a wonderful treat! Light, fluffy, and delicious. Try making this recipe Just like Oma!Kaiserschmarrn, aka Torn or Scrambled Pancakes, are among those homemade pancake recipes that will remind you of Oma's kitchen. This is actually an Austrian dessert, but it's become a traditional German pancake dish. Many serve it as a dessert, while many also enjoy it for Sunday brunch.
Oma's Recipe Rundown
- Ease of Making: Moderate - requires separating and whipping egg whites, but the process is straightforward and fun, especially when tearing the pancake into pieces.
- Taste: Light, fluffy, and slightly sweet with a hint of caramelization, perfect with a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of fruit compote.
- Top Tip: For extra fluffiness, gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter without overmixing to maintain the airy texture.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, if you substitute with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
Top Tips For The Best Results
- Whip Egg Whites to Stiff Peaks: Ensure egg whites are whipped to stiff peaks to achieve the characteristic fluffiness of kaiserschmarrn.
- Use a Cast Iron Skillet: A well-seasoned cast iron skillet distributes heat evenly, helping to achieve a golden-brown crust.
- Caramelize with Butter and Sugar: After tearing the pancake, return it to the pan with a bit of butter and sugar to caramelize the edges for added flavor and texture.
- Serve Immediately: Kaiserschmarrn is best enjoyed fresh and warm; serve it straight from the pan with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and your favorite fruit compote
More Schmarrn
It isn't hard to find kaiserschmarrn around Germany, especially in Bavaria where it is most popular. Look for it particularly at the outdoor vendors during Oktoberfest, but you'll also find it served in restaurants.
- There's one made with bread called "semmelschmarrn"
- One made with Cream of Wheat called "grießschmarrn"
- Being German, of course there's one made with potatoes called "kartoffelschmarrn"
All these schmarrn are true comfort food! So perfect for imperfect times, such as these.
Kaiserschmarrn Fun Facts
- Schmarrn is a 16th century German word meaning "to smear" or "to pain". Now-a-days, it means "rubbish". It's difficult to figure out the connection of those meanings with this delectable treat! And "Kaiser" means "emperor". So, now the name kaiserschmarrn means, "Emperor's __?__. :)
- Kaiserschmarrn first made an appearance during the time just before the 20th century. Another name for this is The dessert of the Emperor. It is also called Emperor’s Mess! I guess one could say it looks like a mess with all those small pieces of pancakes. But, such a delicious mess!
- It seems we have a great imperial chef to thank for inventing such a spectacular treat! It was first made and served to the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. I'll bet his royal chef had no idea this sweet fluffy pancake would become such a hit across his country, and then the world!
From Oma's heart to your table
Complete your set today - order now!
How I Discovered Kaiserschmarrn
Since my Mutti was from northern Germany, this dish was unknown to us. Several years ago, one of our readers, 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.
Lydia Remembers
I have so many Wunderbar memories in the kitchen with my Oma, and have had MANY of her most popular and traditional recipes, like this kaiserschmarrn!
Kaiserschmarrn has by far become one of my favorite recipes I've made with Oma, and is one that I certainly don't make enough.
I remember making this recipe for the first time with Oma at one of our sleepovers, and my favorite part was getting to tear it up, of course. There aren't many recipes where you get to rip it apart into smaller pieces after you make it. It's always, "Don't play with your food, Lydia.".... Well, that's the best part about kaiserschmarrn!
Seeing as I'm not much of a morning person, it's got to be a pretty Wunderbar recipe for me to want to cook so early. ;) This recipe is sooo worth it! Between this one and the German apple pancake, even the not so early-birds will love this breakfast recipe! But the great thing about kaiserschmarrn is that it can be served anytime! Breakfast, lunch, or dinner! I've certainly had it for all three.
Dusted with a little confectioners' sugar on top of the kaiserschmarrn and my favorite fruits on the side...YUM! You can serve it with whichever fruit you'd like! Or try it with syrup, even whipped cream, and make it a dessert!
With a recipe so versatile, there are no rights and wrongs, just have fun!
Learn a little bit about me, Lydia, and my kitchen adventures with Oma!
What To Serve With Kaiserschmarrn
The traditional side for this is a plum compote. Alternatively, baked plums or plum jam would be delicious. Apple sauce is also often served with this or a side of fruit compote.
I think a scoop of vanilla ice cream would be awesome as well, after all, this isn't just a regular pancake.
Oma's Kaiserschmarrn: Austrian Pancake – German Torn Pancakes
Kaiserschmarrn, or “Emperor’s Mess,” is a fluffy, caramelized pancake torn into pieces and dusted with sugar—a royally delicious treat!
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
15 minutes
Total Time:
30 minutes
Servings:
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs, separated
- ¾ cup (98 grams) all purpose flour
- ½ cup (120 milliliter) milk
- pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking powder
- 2 tablespoons (26 grams) granulated sugar
- 4 ounces (113 grams) raisins
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) butter, divided
- powdered sugar to sprinkle over pancakes
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together egg yolks, flour, milk, salt, baking powder and sugar till well mixed. Let batter stand for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, beat egg whites to stiff peaks.
- Gently fold the stiff egg whites into batter.
- Gently fold in raisins.
- In a large frying pan, melt 2 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat. Pour in the pancake batter into the hot pan and fry until golden brown on the bottom.
- Flip pancake, adding 2 tablespoons of butter, and continue to cook on other side until browned.
- Using two forks, tear pancake into bite-size pieces and continue cooking briefly.
- Serve, dusted with powdered sugar. Tastes great served with fruit or fruit sauce.
Notes/Hints:
- You can omit the raisins
- Or, you can soak those raisins in rum first, then add the drained raisins to the batter.
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, if desired
- Another perfect "pancake" dish for breakfast, lunch, buffets and supper is the German apple pancake that's made in the oven. So goood as well!
* * * * *
Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com
Recipe updated April 16, 2025
You might like these
Easy Potato Kugel Recipe – Oma's Baked Potato Pancake (Dibbelabbes).
Making this potato kugel recipe is so easy and makes the most delicious traditional Dibbelabbes dish, a type of baked potato pancake. But easier! This is for potato pancake LOVERS!
Oma's Jelly Donut Recipe: Berliner Pfannkuchen or Krapfen Rezept.
This easy and delicious German jelly donut recipe, aka Berliner Pfannkuchen or Krapfen (among many other names!) is made with a simple yeast dough and a simple hack.
Traditional German Potato Pancakes Recipe – Oma’s Kartoffelpuffer
My German potato pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer) are crispy, golden, & just like Mutti made ... perfect with applesauce or a sprinkle of sugar.
Oma's German Pancake Recipe (Pfannkuchen)
These German pancakes (Pfannkuchen) are the ones I really love, similar to crepes, perfect with sweet or savory fillings.
German Homemade Pancakes Recipe – Oma's Pfannkuchen Rezept
This German homemade pancakes recipe is so easy to make. It's so traditional for either breakfast, lunch, or a light supper and can even be used as a dessert!
Oma's German Vanilla Sauce Recipe – Vanillesosse Rezept.
Oma's vanilla sauce recipe is an easy one to make when you're needing that something special to go along with your dessert. Classic! Goes great with ice cream!
Comments? Questions?
You can leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question...
Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods.
Meet with us around Oma's virtual table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.
Recent Articles
-
German Gingerbread House Recipe: Oma's Traditional Lebkuchen
Nov 13, 25 07:27 AM
German Gingerbread House Recipe: A simple, spiced lebkuchen, honey cake perfect for building and decorating your own festive holiday centerpiece. Fun and delicious for all! -
German Pork Noodle Soup – Oma's Nudelsuppe mit Schweinefleisch Rezept.
Nov 05, 25 09:50 PM
Homemade pork noodle soup ... so easy to make a huge potful to satisfy the hungriest of families or a large party. -
German Marble Pound Cake Recipe – Oma's Marmorkuchen Rezept
Oct 31, 25 08:13 PM
This favorite marble pound cake recipe has been in our family for years. It's a traditional German Marmorkuchen that's easy to make.
Words to the Wise
"Don't waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice."
Proverbs 23:9 (NLT)
Let's connect...
From Oma's heart
to your table
Complete your set today - order now!
Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.
What others are saying about Oma's cookbooks
As a German-American that is a bit culinarily challenged, this book is a true blessing...
This classic cookbook (German Meals at Oma's) has not only a variety of different recipes, but also key notes to help even those with little experience in the kitchen learn to make excellent German cuisine.
Erika Neumayer Ehrat, Owner & designer of Rare Dirndl
Discover our Just Like Oma family of websites:
Across media platforms, the Just Like Oma family of websites are celebrated for making German cooking, travel, and heritage fun & simple to understand, and easily accessible for everyone!
Copyright © | Quick German Recipes (Just like Oma) | All Rights Reserved
Powered by: Make Your Knowledge Sell!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Quick German Recipes participates in various affiliate advertising to provide a means to earn advertising fees by linking to retail websites. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. I will not promote products I do not own or would not buy myself. My goal is to provide you with product information and my own personal opinions or ideas. At times, I will showcase services, programs, and products. I aim to highlight ones that you might find interesting, and if you buy future items from those companies, I may get a small share of the revenue from the sale. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Throughout my site, you'll find mostly photos that I've taken in my kitchen. I also feature some reader-contributed images and curated stock IMAGES BY Deposit Photos and others, offering further perspectives on recipes and all things German.
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE BUYING GOODS OR SERVICES ONLINE.
Quick-German-recipes.com does not sell any personal information
