Grab Oma's cookbooks!    |   Free English/German Herb & Spices Chart   |   Oma's Newsletter 

Mutti's Räderkuchen 

➤ by Oma Gerhild Fulson

Mutti's Räderkuchen! Mini Donuts, made German-style.

Räderkuchen, aka wheel cakes or bowties, were one of my Mutti's favorite emergency recipes. She made these especially when unexpected company dropped in. They were so quick and easy for her to make. The ingredients were always in her pantry.

Now, they fit perfectly in my quick German recipes category.

Quick, deep fried, and covered in cinnamon-sugar, these were a little taste of heaven. 

Like homemade doughnuts. Absolutely WUNDERBAR!

When I was helping Mutti, I'd often sneak an unbaked one (or two or three) before Mutti would deep-fry them. I'd be given the job to help her make them by cutting and shaping them. Somehow, an unbaked cookie always found its way into my mouth!

Now, my granddaughters are keeping up that tradition! After all, who can resist homemade doughnuts, especially when they look so cute! Try these next time you bake.

Räderkuchen Tips ...

How to make Räderkuchen
  • Deep-fry only a couple at a time. Once they start to get a little golden-brown on the edges, turn them over with the use of a fork.
  • Once golden-brown on both sides, remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towelling.
  • Then, quickly roll in sugar or a cinnamon-sugar mix.
  • If you look at the picture above, you'll see the strips, about 1 inch wide and cut into 3 inch pieces. Then cut a slit into the strip in the top part of the strip and pull the bottom through the slit.

Even though Räderkuchen taste best still warm, they store well. They were often what I'd bring to school when I needed to bring a treat and forgot to tell Mutti until the last moment.

My Mutti could make these in minutes. The dough really comes together quickly. The only tricky part is figuring out how to create the "bowtie" shapes.

They were always a hit with my friends who came to enjoy these traditional German recipes that Mutti made.

Get ready for Christmas! Grab your copy of Oma's collection of her favorites in Christmas Cookies e-Cookbook.

Take a look at Oma’s Christmas Cookies eCookbook and enjoy the traditional taste of German cuisine this Christmas.

Take a peek at all Oma's eCookbooks. They make sharing your German heritage a delicious adventure!

Oma says,

These delectable little treats are called many things: Wheel Cakes, Bowties, Umgedrehte Hosen, Durchgeschlupfte Hosen, Pig's Ears, ... and, of course, Räderkuchen.

Perhaps more names are out there. Do send them in. I'd love to include all the interesting ways these yummies are named. 

Ready to make Mutti's Räderkuchen?

Mutti's Räderkuchen

Mutti's Räderkuchen 

Räderkuchen, aka wheel cakes or bowties, were one of my Mutti's favorite emergency recipes. She made these especially when unexpected company dropped in. They were so quick and easy for her to make. The ingredients were always in her pantry.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 2 cups flour, all-purpose
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • lard for frying
  • sugar, cinnamon, powdered sugar as desired

Instructions:

  1. Using a mixer, mix first 6 ingredients together to make dough. Knead lightly with hands to make a dough that holds together nicely. You may need to add a bit more flour if the dough is too sticky.
  2. Roll dough out, about ⅜-inch thick, using extra flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking.
  3. Cut into strips, about 1 inches wide and 3 inches long.
  4. About ½-inch from one end of the strip, cut a 1 inch long slot. Pull the long end of the strip through the slot to form a type of curled shape.
  5. Heat lard in a deep pot. When bubbles are formed at the end of a dry wooden spoon when it is inserted into the fat, it is ready to cook the cakes.
  6. Gently put one layer of cakes into the hot fat and fry until golden brown. Flip them over when you see that the edge is golden and fry the other side. This will only take a minute or two per side.
  7. Remove cakes, put onto a paper-towel covered plate to drain the fat. While still hot, roll in plain sugar.

Notes/Hints:

  • If desired, mix some cinnamon with some sugar and roll cakes in this.
  • You can also roll in powdered sugar.

*  *  *  *  *

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

You might like these

Follow Oma on Social Media:

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 table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Newest Recipes

RSS

  1. Simple Oven Fried Chicken ~ Oma's Brathendl

    Finger-lickin' good oven fried chicken pieces, easy and economical, perfect for family night dinners, for company, and even Oktoberfest! It’s Brathendl, Oma-style!

    Go to the recipe

  2. Best Pound Cake Recipe ~ Oma's Sandkuchen

    My best pound cake recipe (Sandkuchen) is this one. My Oma made it, my Mutti made it, and now I make it! It's so quick and easy to make and tastes SO good!

    Go to the recipe

  3. Best German Braised Cabbage Recipe ~ Oma’s Bavarian Weisskraut

    Make the BEST Bavarian braised cabbage recipe that’s perfect for Oktoberfest or anytime you’re wanting a traditional German side dish. It’s Weisskraut, just like Oma makes it.

    Go to the recipe

*  *  *  *  *

PIN this ...

Mutti's Räderkuchen! Mini Donuts, made German-style.



Mutti's Räderkuchen (deep-fried pastries) made Just like Oma



By


Mutti's Räderkuchen (deep-fried pastries) made Just like Oma


Räderkuchen were my Mutti's emergency dessert, especially when unexpected company dropped in. Deep fried and covered in cinnamon-sugar, these were a little taste of heaven.


Ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, lard,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Make every day a day of REJOICING!

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again -- rejoice!"

 Philippians 4:4 NLT


Top of Räderkuchen