Berliner Pfannkuchen

Berliner Pfannkuchen is a traditional German pastry similar to a doughnut with no central hole, made from sweet yeast dough fried in fat or oil, with a marmalade or jam filling and usually icing, powdered sugar or conventional sugar on top. They are sometimes made with chocolate, champagne, custard, mocha, or advocaat filling, or with no filling at all.

History[edit | edit source]

The Berliner Pfannkuchen is believed to have originated in Berlin in the 16th century. The pastry was traditionally consumed during the carnival season, which falls between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday. The term "Pfannkuchen" means "pancake" in most regions of Germany, but in Berlin and Eastern Germany, "Pfannkuchen" refers to this jam-filled doughnut.

Preparation[edit | edit source]

The dough for the Berliner Pfannkuchen is made from milk, flour, sugar, eggs, yeast, salt, margarine and fat. After the dough is prepared, it is cut into round pieces and left to rise for approximately 20 minutes. The dough pieces are then fried in hot oil or fat until they turn golden brown. After frying, the doughnuts are filled with jam or marmalade through a small hole on the side. The hole is then sealed and the doughnut is sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Variations[edit | edit source]

There are several variations of the Berliner Pfannkuchen across Germany and the world. In Southern Germany, the pastry is often filled with apricot jam and topped with powdered sugar, known as Krapfen. In Northern Germany, it is known as "Berliner" and is often filled with red jam. In the United States, a similar pastry is known as the Jelly doughnut.

Cultural significance[edit | edit source]

The Berliner Pfannkuchen is a significant part of German culture, particularly in Berlin. It is often associated with the New Year's Eve and Carnival celebrations. The pastry is also famously associated with a quote by John F. Kennedy, "Ich bin ein Berliner", which translates to "I am a Berliner". The quote was intended to show solidarity with the people of Berlin during the Cold War, but has often been humorously misinterpreted to mean "I am a doughnut".