Kaiserschmarrn is usually served with hot plum chutney.
Also called smarni, kaiserschmarrn is considered a type of pancake or shredded tortilla. It is made with eggs, flour and sugar and cooked in butter. Served hot, it is usually presented as a dessert. Of all the Austrian desserts, this is one of the most legendary, mainly because of its origin story.
The legend of the origin of the kaiserchmarrn is still told today, although there are many different versions. It is said that the last emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph, wanted to create something special for his cook to make him eat. His cook prepared this schmarnn, which is sometimes translated as “mess,” hence it became known as the kaiser’s schmarrn, which evolved over the years into the name it bears today, kaiserschmarrn.
It is made in the same way as an omelette, although the ingredients are different. An omelette contains only eggs and maybe a little milk or water. Kaiserschmarrn has eggs together with flour, sugar, vanilla, and milk.
These ingredients are mixed together and placed in a pan with melted butter, which has been heated on the stove. The tortilla-shaped pancake is flipped during the cooking process so that all sides are browned. Once the cooking process is finished, it is crushed. Kaiserschmarrn is served hot with powdered sugar on top or hot plum chutney.
Some cooks caramelize the sugar before the cooking process is complete. After the pancake is grated, additional sugar and butter are added to the pan. The sugar and butter are then cooked until the sugar turns into caramel. Before serving, more sugar is also sprinkled on this version.
A popular thing to add to this traditional Austrian dessert is rum-soaked raisins. Raisins are generously sprinkled over the kaiserschmarrn. The sauce created by soaking the raisins in the rum can also be poured over the dessert for flavor. Other cooks prefer to add a liqueur-infused whipped cream on top of the dessert for a special touch.
Kaiserschmarrn can be quite satisfying. Although most of the time it is thought of and served as a dessert, there are those who like to serve this dish as a breakfast treat. There are also those who choose, instead of adding sweetness to the tortilla-like pancake, to add savory ingredients, creating a heartier dish that can be served throughout the day as a meal. Adding pieces of sausage and mushrooms can create a hearty and delicious main dish.