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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:

• granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and/or a mix of granulated sugar and cinnamon for toppings, as desired
• 2 tbsp (28 g) butter, room temperature
• 3 tbsp (39 g) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tbsp (45 ml) milk
• 2 cups (260 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp (8 g) baking powder
• lard or peanut oil, for frying

Instructions:

1. Place your choice of desired toppings into separate bowls. 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. Form into a ball, adding a little extra flour as needed if the dough is too sticky, or chill the dough in the fridge to let it firm up.
3. Roll half the dough into a ⅜-inch thick rectangle on a lightly floured counter.
4. Cut into 1-inch wide strips. Cut strips into 3-inch long pieces. About ½-inch from one end of each, cut a 1-inch long slot. Pull the long end of the strip through the slot. Repeat with remaining dough. Excess dough can be rerolled.
5. Heat lard or oil in the deep fryer set to 350F° (175°C).
6. Carefully put 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. Remove cookies with a spider or slotted spoon and put them on the plate covered with paper towels to drain. 
7. While still hot, roll in the sugar topping of your choice and place on a wire rack to finish cooling. Repeat with remaining dough. 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.
• If desired, mix some cinnamon with some sugar and roll cakes in this.
• You can also roll in powdered sugar.

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Recipe Updated: April 27, 2025