Kaiserschmarrn | The Pancake Series

With Shrove Tuesday less than a week away, we decided to see what Pancake treats other countries have to offer.

In December I was lucky enough to visit the Christmas markets in Munich and Salzburg. There were so many stalls selling delicious treats, but by far my favourite was Kaiserschmarrn.

This Austrian delicacy means literally 'Emperor's Trifle' or 'Emperor's Mess', as it was apparently a favourite of Kaiser Franz Josef I. Kaiserschmarrrn is a very light, thick, fluffy sort of pancake, often containing raisins, that is torn into shreds. It is very easy to make and very tasty, so there's no reason not to make it on Pancake Day!

The batter is very similar to ordinary pancake mix, although I whipped my egg whites separately and stirred them in, ensuring a very light and fluffy texture. After it's cooked, simply cut it up into smaller pieces. I would definitely recommend this recipe from the Austrian Tourist Board website if you're a bit unsure of the details.

At Munich Christmas Market, I had my Kaiserschmarrn with an apple sauce. However, at home I decided to make a traditional plum compote. It's equally simple and delicious to make. Just put about 5 chopped up plums in a saucepan with 75g of sugar and some cinnamon. Then simmer on a low heat until the fruit breaks down and reaches the consistency that you would like. For me this was about 40 minutes.

Although it is true that at Crumbs to Crunch we do love a savory pancake, I think Kaiserschmarrn is a close competitor. So why not try something different this Pancake Day?

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