Authentic German Berliner Doughnuts Recipe

Ingredients

  • 500 grams of All-Purpose Flour
  • 50 grams of Caster Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of Instant Yeast
  • A pinch of Salt
  • 250 milliliters of Warm Milk
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 50 grams of Unsalted Butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
  • 1 liter of Vegetable Oil, for frying
  • 200 grams of Strawberry Jam, for filling
  • 100 grams of Icing Sugar, for dusting

Steps and instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, caster sugar, instant yeast, and salt.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together the warm milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
  3. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a dough forms.
  4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
  6. Punch down the dough and knead it again for a few minutes. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1 cm thickness.
  7. Using a round cutter, cut out circles from the dough and place them on a baking sheet. Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
  8. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 180°C. Fry the doughnuts a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides. Use a slotted spoon to remove the doughnuts from the oil and drain them on paper towels.
  9. When the doughnuts are cool enough to handle, make a small hole in the side of each one with a sharp knife. Then, fill a piping bag with strawberry jam and pipe some jam into each doughnut through the hole.
  10. Dust the Berliners with icing sugar before serving.

Tools for making

Recipe variations

  • Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour for a healthier alternative.
  • Replace the caster sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness.
  • Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a spiced flavor.
  • Instead of strawberry jam, try filling the Berliners with raspberry jam, chocolate spread, or custard.
  • For a savory twist, fill the Berliners with cream cheese and smoked salmon, or ham and cheese.
  • Coat the Berliners in cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
  • Add lemon zest or orange zest to the dough for a citrusy aroma.
  • Instead of deep frying, bake the Berliners in the oven for a healthier alternative.
  • For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
  • Experiment with different fillings such as peanut butter, Nutella, or fruit preserves.

Recipe overview

This mouth-watering Berliner recipe will transport you to the heart of Germany in your very own kitchen. Berliners, also known as German doughnuts, are a delicious treat typically filled with strawberry jam and dusted with icing sugar. These sweet pastries are not your typical doughnuts - they're yeast-based and fried to golden-brown perfection before being generously filled with jam for a burst of fruitiness in every bite. It's a slightly lengthy process, with a couple of hours needed for the dough to rise, but the result is well worth the wait. From the fluffy dough to the sweet jam filling and a dusting of icing sugar, these Berliners are bound to satisfy your sweet tooth. Enjoy them as a dessert or a midday snack!

Common questions

  1. Can I make the dough in advance? Yes, you can make the dough in advance. After kneading the dough, place it in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let the dough come to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.
  2. Can I use a different type of jam for filling? Absolutely! While the traditional Berliner uses strawberry jam, you can use any type of jam or filling that you prefer.
  3. Can I bake the Berliner instead of frying? Frying is the traditional method for making Berliner, but if you prefer baking, you can try baking the doughnuts in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
  4. Can I freeze the Berliner? Yes, you can freeze the Berliner. Once they have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature and reheat in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
  5. Can I use self-rising flour instead of all-purpose flour? It's best to stick to using all-purpose flour for this recipe. Self-rising flour contains leavening agents that may affect the texture of the Berliner.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Mixing Bowl - A large bowl for combining the dry and wet ingredients.
  • Whisk - Used for whisking together the wet ingredients.
  • Rolling Pin - Used to roll out the dough to the desired thickness.
  • Round Cutter - A tool for cutting out the doughnut circles.
  • Baking Sheet - A flat sheet used for placing the cut-out dough circles.
  • Deep Fryer or Large Pot - Either of these can be used for frying the doughnuts.
  • Slotted Spoon - Used for removing the fried doughnuts from the oil.
  • Piping Bag - A bag with a nozzle used for filling the doughnuts with jam.
  • Sharp Knife - Used to make a hole in the doughnuts for filling.
  • Paper Towels - Used for draining the fried doughnuts.

Origin stories

The Berliner, despite its name, has an international reputation. It's known as a doughnut in the United States, a sufgania in Israel, and a paczki in Poland - each variation as delightfully tasty as the next. However, its roots are firmly planted in Germany's capital, Berlin. The sweet, jam-filled delight came to life during the Carnival season, a time when indulgence was not just accepted, but encouraged. Traditionally, it was consumed to ward off malicious spirits, a belief that seems almost quaint today. But, as you take a bite out of a Berliner, with the jam oozing out onto your fingers and the dough melting in your mouth, you might find yourself believing in its protective powers, if only for the sheer joy it brings to your taste buds.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.