National Dish Germany: Berliner (Recipe)
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Treat yourself to Berliner, the pillowy jam-filled doughnuts that are a cornerstone of German baking! Light, airy and dusted with snowy icing sugar, these little parcels of joy are made for a relaxed coffee break or a festive gathering. Especially popular at Carnival and on New Year’s Eve, they fill the kitchen with the comforting smell of freshly fried yeast dough. With a little patience and this simple recipe, you can bring bakery-quality treats straight to your own table.
About Berliner
The Berliner — also known as a Pfannkuchen or Krapfen depending on which part of Germany you are in — is a round, fluffy pastry filled with jam or another sweet filling and finished with a generous dusting of icing sugar. This much-loved treat is a firm part of German food culture and is especially enjoyed during Carnival and at New Year. Its tender, yeasted crumb and sweet centre make it an irresistible classic, equally at home on a café counter or a homemade dessert platter.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 250g plain flour
- 20g fresh yeast
- 125ml lukewarm milk
- 30g sugar
- 30g butter
- 1 egg
- A pinch of salt
- Oil for deep-frying
- Jam of your choice, for filling
- Icing sugar, for dusting
Shopping for the ingredients
The ingredients for Berliner are easy to find in most supermarkets. Look out for fresh yeast and a good-quality jam, as these two make all the difference to the finished flavour. A fruity raspberry or apricot conserve is a classic choice, but any jam you love will work beautifully. If you cannot track down fresh yeast, the baking aisle will have a dried alternative that does the job just as well.
Preparing the dish
Before you begin, make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature. This makes the yeast dough far easier to work with and gives you an even, reliable result. Weigh everything out in advance, warm the milk gently until it is just lukewarm, and clear a little space on the worktop for rolling and shaping. A calm, organised start sets you up for a smooth bake.
Step-by-step instructions
- Dissolve the fresh yeast in the lukewarm milk and leave to stand for about 5 minutes.
- Sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the centre.
- Add the yeast milk, sugar, butter, egg and salt to the well, then knead everything to a smooth dough.
- Cover the dough and leave it to prove in a warm spot for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about 1cm thick and cut out rounds.
- Leave the rounds to prove for a further 30 minutes.
- Heat the oil to 170°C and deep-fry the Berliner until golden brown, then drain on kitchen paper.
- Fill with jam and dust with icing sugar.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
With a few swaps, Berliner can suit a range of dietary needs. For a gluten-free version, use a good gluten-free plain flour blend designed for yeast baking, as this helps the dough rise and hold its shape. To make them lactose-free, replace the milk with a plant-based alternative and use lactose-free or vegan butter. Choose a jam without hidden dairy, and everyone at the table can enjoy these doughnuts without a second thought.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Berliner are naturally vegetarian, and a few tweaks make them fully vegan too. Swap the dairy milk for plant-based milk and use vegan butter in place of the usual kind. The egg can be replaced with apple sauce or a mashed banana, both of which keep the crumb soft and tender. Take a moment to check that your jam and icing sugar are free from animal products, and you have a treat that works for everyone.
More tips and tricks
- Make sure the oil is not too hot, or the Berliner will brown on the outside before the middle has cooked through.
- Test the temperature first by dropping in a small piece of dough — it should sizzle gently and turn golden in about a minute.
- Fry in small batches so the oil temperature stays steady and the doughnuts cook evenly.
- Fill the Berliner with a piping bag while they are still slightly warm for the cleanest result.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Half the fun of Berliner is making them your own. Experiment with different fillings such as vanilla custard, hazelnut-chocolate spread or a tangy fruit conserve to give each batch its own character. You can dial the sweetness up or down by adjusting the icing sugar, or roll the warm doughnuts in cinnamon sugar instead for a cosy, spiced twist. If you enjoy this kind of sweet baking, the rich Bavarian Cream makes a luxurious alternative filling.
Ingredient substitutions
If you do not have fresh yeast to hand, dried yeast works perfectly well — just follow the packet instructions for the correct quantity. Butter can be replaced with a good margarine, and any neutral oil with a high smoke point is suitable for frying. For the filling, anything from a smooth fruit jam to a thick vanilla custard will do, much like the comforting sauce that comes with Yeast Dumplings with Vanilla Sauce. Substitutions like these let you adapt the recipe to whatever you have in the cupboard.
Drink pairing ideas
Berliner are wonderful with a hot cup of coffee, a cold glass of milk or a fresh fruit tea. For special occasions, a glass of sparkling wine adds a festive note, which suits the way these doughnuts often appear at New Year and Carnival. A creamy hot chocolate is another indulgent match, while a strong black tea cuts pleasantly through the sweetness for a more grown-up pairing.
Serving and presentation ideas
Presentation turns a plate of Berliner into a real centrepiece. Arrange them on a pretty cake stand and dust them with icing sugar just before serving so it stays bright and crisp. A scattering of fresh berries or a few mint leaves makes a lovely finishing touch, and a small dish of extra jam on the side invites guests to top up their own. Served warm, they look every bit as tempting as they taste.
A bit of history
The origins of the Berliner are usually traced back to the 16th century. There are several theories about how it came about, but one of the most popular tells of a Berlin baker named Fassbender who created the first doughnut recipe and shaped the pastries in honour of the Prussian soldiers. Over the centuries the Berliner has become a beloved staple of German cuisine, enjoyed across the country and far beyond, and especially treasured during the festive seasons.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Berliner
Berliner are a delicious and versatile national treat of Germany, easily adapted with different fillings and tweaks to suit any occasion. With their fluffy yeasted crumb, sweet centre and dusting of icing sugar, they bring a little celebration to the everyday. Follow this simple recipe to enjoy authentic Berliner at home, and feel free to make them your own — your coffee break has never looked so good.
