Kaiserschmarrn recipe for the festive season

How to prepare Kaiserschmarrn with Rum Raisins and Cherry Compote

No gathering would be complete without a tantalizing treat to indulge in. This year, we share with you the recipe for this Austrian fluffy pancake-like dish, that brings to any dinner a festive winter spirit.

Kaiserschmarrn, or Kaiserschmarren, is often served as desert or as lunch, alongside applesauce, or with cherry compote.

Instructions

Step 1

Start with boiling the frozen cherries over low heat with the sugar and a little water until they start to break and become a little runny. Stir regularly.

Step 2

Put the Rum and rasins in a bowl and let it soak for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Make a  paste of the cornstarch with a tea spoon of water. Add this to the cherries and keep stirring. Let it boil softly for a while. It will become more solid. Take the pan off the heatsource and let the compote cool down. It will get a little thicker when cooling.

Step 4

For the Kaiserschmarrn, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and a half cup of  milk in a bowl. Slowly stir in the flour until smooth, then whisk in the remaining milk.

Step 5

Whisk the egg whites in a clean, grease-free bowl, with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the egg yolk-and-milk mixture.

Step 6

Grease a 10-inch (26 cm) skillet with cooking spray or butter and place over low heat. Pour the mixture into the pan all at once*, letting the edges cook. Use a spatula to loosen the edges of your Kaiserschmarrn before sprinkling half of the Rum-soaked raisins over the batter.

Step 7

Once bubbles start to form on the surface, flip the Kaiserschmarrn over and cook the other side for 5-8 minutes, until firm and dark brown. 

Step 8

Remove the 'pancake' from the pan and cut into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle the Kaiserschmarrn with powdered sugar and serve warm with the remaining Rum-soaked raisins and the cherry compote.

* Big family baking hack:

When making a large quantity, make several smaller portions, so it does not need to bake so long. Then place all 'pancakes' on top of each other and cut them in a pile into small pieces. Fry it all up together before serving piping hot.