National Dish Austria: Plum Dumplings (Recipe)
In this article
Meet Plum Dumplings, one of Austria’s most cherished sweet treats! These tender potato dumplings hide a whole juicy plum at their centre, rolled in golden, buttery breadcrumbs and finished with a snowfall of icing sugar. Fruity, comforting and utterly irresistible, they belong to the heart of Austrian home cooking. Whether served warm with a dusting of cinnamon or a pool of vanilla sauce, they bring a slice of Alpine tradition straight to your table.
About Plum Dumplings
Plum Dumplings are a traditional and much-loved Austrian dessert that delights anyone with a sweet tooth. These small potato dumplings are filled with succulent plums and treat the palate to a wonderfully fruity note. The soft, delicate dough pairs perfectly with the sweet filling to create an unforgettable taste experience. Served warm with icing sugar or a creamy vanilla sauce, plum dumplings are endlessly versatile and always a joy to eat.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 300 g floury potatoes
- 150 g plain flour
- 1 egg
- 1 pinch of salt
- 8–10 plums
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Breadcrumbs (for coating)
- Butter (for frying)
- Cinnamon (for dusting)
- Icing sugar (to serve)
Shopping for the ingredients
When shopping for the ingredients for plum dumplings, it pays to choose your plums with care. Fresh, ripe plums are the key to the flavour of these delicious dumplings. You will usually find them in the fruit and vegetable section, especially during plum season. Good-quality butter and fine flour are easy to source in any well-stocked supermarket or health-food shop.
Preparing the dish
Preparation for plum dumplings begins with cooking the potatoes. They should be peeled, cut into pieces and boiled until soft, then mashed to a smooth dough. While the potatoes cool, stone the plums and fill them with a little sugar so they stay sweet and juicy as they cook.
Step-by-step instructions
- Mash the cooked potatoes and leave them to cool.
- Add the flour, salt and the egg to the cooled potatoes and mix well.
- Turn portions of the dough out onto a floured work surface and flatten them.
- Place a sugar-filled plum in the centre of each piece and close the dough around it.
- Simmer the dumplings in boiling salted water for 10–15 minutes, until they rise to the surface.
- Heat the butter in a pan and lightly fry the dumplings.
- Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and serve with cinnamon and icing sugar.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
For a gluten-free version of plum dumplings, swap the plain flour for a gluten-free blend. There are now plenty of alternatives that produce just the same kind of dough. For the butter, simply reach for a lactose-free alternative. That way, anyone with an intolerance can enjoy this delicious dessert too.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Vegan plum dumplings are easy to achieve by replacing the egg with a plant-based alternative such as apple purée or a little chia pudding. The butter for frying can be swapped for plant oil or margarine. Be sure to use a vegan flour as well. In this way you can create a delicious, plant-based dessert that everyone can enjoy.
More tips and tricks
A handy trick for especially juicy dumplings is to blanch the plums before filling them, which intensifies their fruitiness. Take care not to leave the dumplings in the water too long, or they may fall apart. It can also help to mix a small amount of cornflour into the dough to perfect its texture. These little tips make all the difference to getting your plum dumplings just right.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
The recipe for plum dumplings is easy to tailor to your own preferences. Instead of plums, for example, you could use other fruits such as apricots — much like the closely related Powidltascherl. The amount of sugar can also be varied to taste. Experiment with different flavourings such as vanilla or chopped nuts to create your very own version.
Ingredient substitutions
Look around the supermarket for alternatives to the ingredients listed, such as wholemeal flour in place of plain flour. If you would like to cut back on sugar, agave syrup or stevia make good substitutes. For special aromas, you can fold a little lime zest or orange zest through the dough — the same trick that lifts a fruity Zwetschgenröster. Modifications like these give the dish an exciting twist while staying close to tradition.
Drink pairing ideas
To round off your plum dumpling experience, a number of drinks pair beautifully. A lovely sweet white wine or a fruity punch can underline the flavours of the dumplings. For children, or as an alcohol-free option, a freshly pressed apple juice is a wonderful choice. A lightly spiced tea also complements the dessert perfectly.
Serving and presentation ideas
The presentation of plum dumplings can be lifted further with colourful fruit or edible flowers. Serve the dumplings on a pretty plate and dust them with icing sugar. A little vanilla sauce or a splash of cream alongside adds an extra eye-catching touch. These small details make the dessert not only delicious but also a treat for the eyes.
A bit of history
Plum dumplings have their roots in Austrian cuisine and are a superb example of the traditional way of making desserts from regional ingredients. This style of dumpling is found across many Alpine regions, with the exact preparation and the fruit used varying from place to place. In Austria they are often made in the colder months, when plums are in season. The simple yet flavourful ingredients make them a perfect ambassador of rustic Austrian cuisine.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Plum Dumplings
Plum dumplings are more than just a simple dessert; they are a true gift of Austrian cuisine. Their delicate texture and fruity filling make them an unforgettable treat. Whether as part of a special feast or simply as a sweet reward at the end of a long day, plum dumplings are always a good choice. Try our recipe and bring a piece of Austrian tradition into your own home!
