Germany By Food Enthusiasts · 6 min read

National Dish Germany: Berliner Doughnuts (Recipe)

Golden Berliner doughnuts dusted with sugar and filled with jam

In this article

Meet the Berliner doughnut, one of Germany’s most beloved sweet treats! These airy, deep-fried buns — known locally as Krapfen or simply Berliner — turn up everywhere from carnival celebrations to New Year’s Eve parties. Tender and golden on the outside, they hide a generous helping of jam or custard at their heart. Whether you fancy an afternoon snack or a crowd-pleasing dessert, these little pillows of dough bring a taste of Germany straight to your kitchen.

About Berliner Doughnuts

The Berliner doughnut, also known as Krapfen or Berliner, is a traditional German sweet that enjoys huge popularity, particularly during carnival season and on New Year’s Eve. This fluffy, filled pastry is a genuine feast for the senses. Most often stuffed with delicious jam or custard, it wins everyone over with its delicate, golden-brown shell and its sweet, juicy centre. As a quick snack or as a dessert after dinner, the Berliner doughnut is always a treat — a true classic of German cuisine.

Ingredients (serves 1–2)

250 g plain flour
30 g sugar
1 sachet dried yeast
1 egg
100 ml milk
30 g butter
A pinch of salt
Filling: jam or custard of your choice
Oil, for deep-frying

Shopping for the ingredients

When shopping for Berliner doughnuts, it is worth going through the ingredient list carefully to make sure you have everything you need at home. Fresh ingredients such as milk and eggs are especially important, as they play a major part in giving the dough its fluffy texture. Choose good-quality flour for the best possible result. A local supermarket or a weekly farmers’ market is the ideal place to track down fresh produce.

Preparing the dish

Before you start, it is important to lay out all the ingredients and prepare your work surface properly. Measure everything out accurately, as this is crucial for the flavour and texture of the Berliner doughnuts. Make sure the butter is at room temperature so it blends smoothly with the other ingredients. A little patience is required too, since the yeast dough needs time to rest and prove so it can rise to its best.

Step-by-step instructions

In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, dried yeast and salt.
Warm the milk gently and add it to the flour mixture along with the egg and the room-temperature butter.
Knead everything well until you have a smooth dough, then leave it to prove in a warm spot for about 1 hour.
Once the dough has rested, knead it through again and divide it into small pieces.
Shape the pieces into balls, place them on a floured cloth and let them prove for another 30 minutes or so.
Heat the oil in a pan and deep-fry the doughnuts until golden brown.
Once the Berliners have cooled, use a piping nozzle to fill them with your chosen filling.

Gluten-free / lactose-free version

For a gluten-free version of the Berliner doughnut, you can use gluten-free flour, which is now widely available in supermarkets. Make sure the flour is suitable for dough work, as not all gluten-free flours share the same baking properties. Instead of regular milk, reach for plant-based milk alternatives such as almond or oat milk to create a lactose-free version. These tweaks make the recipe accessible to those with allergies or special dietary needs — much like the gentle Buckwheat Pancakes that suit a range of diets.

Tips for vegans and vegetarians

To make the Berliner doughnut vegan, replace the egg with a plant-based substitute such as apple purée or chia pudding. Also make sure all the other ingredients, particularly the filling, are animal-free. Many fruit spreads are already vegan, and some custards can be made without milk too. The flavour does not suffer in this version — quite the opposite, as there are plenty of exciting alternatives that can give your doughnuts a special twist.

More tips and tricks

One important tip is to keep an eye on the oil temperature while frying — oil that is too hot will scorch the outside before the dough has cooked through. Use a wooden spoon or a frying thermometer to check the heat. To make the doughnuts especially fluffy, give the dough plenty of time to prove. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can prevent the doughnuts from cooking evenly.

Adapting the recipe to your taste

The great thing about this recipe is that it leaves so much room for variation. You can get adventurous with the filling — from chocolate cream to fruit fillings, the only limit is your imagination. Adding spices such as cinnamon or vanilla can enrich the flavour too. Be creative and turn every bite into a personal taste experience.

Ingredient substitutions

If you do not have dried yeast to hand, you can also use fresh yeast; in that case, simply double the quantity. For a less sweet version of the Berliner doughnut, you can reduce the sugar or replace it with honey. If you would like a special touch, try adding orange or lemon zest, which lends the doughnuts a fresh, aromatic note — the same kind of bright finish that lifts a Moist Lemon Cake.

Drink pairing ideas

A whole range of drinks goes beautifully with a Berliner doughnut. A fruity herbal tea harmonises wonderfully with the sweet flavour of the doughnuts. A creamy latte macchiato or a freshly brewed cup of filter coffee are also popular companions. If you fancy something a little more festive, try a glass of Prosecco or some mulled wine, especially during the colder months. These combinations are not only delicious but a real treat for the palate.

Serving and presentation ideas

To present your Berliner doughnuts attractively, arrange them on a lovely serving platter and dust them with icing sugar. Decorative paper or pretty muffin cases also make a good impression. You could serve small bowls of different fillings alongside, so guests can fill their own doughnuts. An eye-catching presentation makes any occasion feel that bit more special and inviting.

A bit of history

The roots of the Berliner doughnut reach back to the 19th century. Originally, this pastry was prepared for festive occasions and quickly grew popular across the whole of Germany. The preparation and the various fillings have evolved over the years, and many regions of Germany have developed their own versions — much as they have with the celebrated Dresden Christmas Stollen. Today the Berliner doughnut is not only a firm fixture of German cuisine but has also found countless admirers around the world.

More recipe ideas

Summary: Berliner Doughnuts

The Berliner doughnut is a delicious and versatile sweet that is simple to make. With its fluffy texture and sweet filling, it brings a little moment of joy to any occasion. Whether shared with friends during a celebration or simply enjoyed on a lazy afternoon, these doughnuts are a genuine classic of German cooking. Take the time to give this recipe a go and let the flavours whisk you away into the world of German sweets!