Mutti's Räderkuchen: German Deep-Fried Pastries

by: Gerhild Fulson  /  Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

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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 ...

• 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 toweling.
• 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 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?

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Print Recipe

Mutti's Räderkuchen: German Deep-Fried Pastries

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 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 cups flour, all-purpose
• 2 teaspoons 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 inch 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.

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



By Oma Gerhild Fulson





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: butter, sugar, milk, all-purpose flour, baking powder, lard, cinnamon, powdered sugar,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

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More about me >

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.