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Mutti's Räderkuchen: German Deep-Fried Pastries

Quick, deep-fried, and rolled in cinnamon-sugar, räderkuchen were little bites of heaven at our house. Like homemade doughnuts, only cuter.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (39 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter, room temperature
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) milk
• 2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (8 grams) baking powder
• lard, for frying (see Notes/Hints below)
• cinnamon sugar, to garnish

Instructions:

1. Cover a large plate with paper towels and set aside.
2. Put the butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, and baking powder into a large mixing bowl and mix together to make a dough.
3. Form the dough into a ball, adding a little extra flour if the dough is too sticky. Alternatively, chill the dough in the fridge to let it firm up.
4. Roll half the dough into a ⅜-inch thick rectangle on a lightly floured counter.
5. Cut the dough into 1-inch wide strips. Cut each strip into 3-inch long pieces. About ½-inch from one end of each piece, cut a 1-inch long slot. Pull the long end of the strip through the slot. Repeat with the remaining dough. Any excess dough can be rerolled.
6. Heat the lard in a deep pot to about 360F° (182°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, insert the dry end of a wooden spoon. If bubbles form around it, the oil is ready.
7. Carefully place several cookies into the hot fat. After a minute or so, when the edges are golden brown, flip and fry the other side till golden.
8. Use a spider or slotted spoon to remove the cookies, then place them on the paper towel-lined plate to drain.
9. While they are still hot, roll the cookies in the cinnamon sugar and place them on a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
10. Enjoy fresh!

Notes/Hints:

• If you don't have a deep fryer, heat lard or oil in a deep pot to about 350F° (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, insert the dry end of a wooden spoon. If bubbles form around it, the oil is ready.
• Use enough lard to reach the fryer’s fill line, roughly 10 to 12 cups (about 2.5 to 3 pounds or 1.25 to 1.5 kg) total, depending on the fryer. 
• Half vegetable oil and half shortening is a reliable substitute.
• If desired, mix some cinnamon with some sugar and roll cakes in this.
• You can also roll in powdered sugar.

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Updated on December 7, 2025