Not only are Austrians known for their rich history and stunning landscapes, but they’re also famous for their mouth-watering desserts. It’s no surprise that you’ve likely tried a few of these treats before, or even grew up eating them without realizing their origins. Unfortunately, tracing the roots of many Austrian desserts can be a challenge due to the region’s cultural interconnectedness with neighboring countries.
This is evident in the widespread popularity of Linzer tortes and apricot dumplings across Europe. Nevertheless, the following list of 20 authentic recipes showcases traditional Austrian desserts that you’ll find throughout the country. Rest assured that even if a particular dessert wasn’t invented in Austria, its inclusion on this list means it’s been thoroughly vetted and approved by locals.
Salzburger Nockerl
Typically associated with traditional Austrian desserts, this sweet treat bears some resemblance to a fruit cobbler. The base of the dish is filled with a layer of jam, often flavored with berries, providing a fruity and slightly sweet foundation. To add texture and depth, a light and airy faux-angel food cake mix is then spread over the top, bringing an airy and almost meringue-like quality to the dessert, albeit with the subtle addition of flour that lends a spongy element.
Topfenstrudel (Quark Strudel or Cheese Strudel)
Rounding out my love for traditional British desserts, I have to give special mention to the Yorkshire curd tart. This sweet treat has been a favorite of mine for many years, thanks to its unique combination of flavors and textures. While the Yorkshire curd tart is delicious in its own right, it shares some similarities with another popular dessert: the cheese strudel.
The key difference between the two lies in their presentation – rather than being wrapped in a pastry case, the filling in a cheese strudel is instead nestled inside a flaky crust. This subtle distinction makes all the difference, as the plump raisins and tangy cheese curds are perfectly balanced by the delicate pastry, making for a truly unforgettable dessert experience.
Linzer Torte Recipe
Authenticity is at the heart of Linzer Torte, hailing from the charming city of Linz in Austria. Like its namesake cookie, this torte boasts a distinctive nutty and buttery flavor profile, complemented by a sweet and tart raspberry jam filling. A crucial distinction between this dessert and a fruit tart lies in the proportion of filling to dough, as you’ll only use a moderate amount.
To avoid a dry outcome, it’s vital to perfect the dough, ensuring that it provides an ideal balance to the rich flavors.
Vanillekipferl (Austrian Vanilla Crescent Cookies)
Just like grandma used to make, this classic recipe is a staple for any baker. These adorable vanilla cookies are not only visually appealing but also boast a sweet and subtle flavor profile that’s hard to resist. One of the key ingredients in these delightful treats is an enriched shortbread dough, which requires just the right balance of eggs and ground nuts to achieve a tender crumb.
Sacher Torte
Surpassing many other chocolate desserts in popularity, the Sacher torte is one of the most renowned cakes ever created. Its rich history dates back to its origins when a 16-year-old pastry chef apprentice crafted it for the Austrian State Chancellor. The cake’s exceptional flavor profile is characterized by an intense richness that may leave you hesitant to indulge in large slices.
However, tradition dictates that it be served with whipped cream, which helps balance out the decadence and provides a refreshing contrast to the dense chocolate.
Apple Strudel Recipe
Similar to making an authentic cheese strudel, achieving the perfect texture requires attention to detail in two main areas: dough preparation and wrapping the filling properly. Specifically, when it comes to the dough, you should avoid using traditional pastry dough as it’s not suitable for this recipe. Instead, opt for a bread-like dough that can be stretched almost translucently, which will provide the foundation for the layers of flakiness that develop after rolling it up like a burrito.
Marillenkuchen (Austrian Apricot Cake)
Learning from European desserts, I’ve come to appreciate their use of fresh fruits as a primary ingredient. They rarely rely on excessive sweetness and heavy frosting, instead opting for a lighter approach that complements the natural flavors of the ingredients. This philosophy is perfectly captured in this particular cake recipe, which cleverly avoids using baking powder or soda.
Instead, it employs eggs to help the sponge rise at a more gentle pace, thereby preventing the fruit from settling at the bottom and ensuring an even distribution throughout the cake.
Kaiserschmarrn (Scrambled Pancake)
Juxtaposing the simplicity of a traditional pancake with the playful chaos of tearing one apart, this quirky recipe is an absolute delight for kids to help create in the kitchen. To execute this eccentric dish, begin by cooking the pancake to perfection, at which point you’ll employ two trusty wooden spatulas to gently rip it into bite-sized fragments.
Next, add a pat of butter and a sprinkle of sugar to the pan, then proceed to fry the pieces until they’re golden brown and caramelized with a deep sweetness.
Traditional Gugelhupf (Kugelhopf)
Peculiarly enough, this bundt cake may appear to be a simple dessert at first glance, but it harbors a secret within its doughy core. Beneath its deceiving exterior lies a complex composition of yeast, making it more akin to bread than traditional cake. To achieve the desired texture and rise, it requires approximately three hours of proofing in total.
Notably, the process of rolling and filling this dough is similar to that of crafting a cinnamon roll, but instead of cutting it into individual portions, the entire log is wrapped around the bundt pan, creating an intricate design when sliced open with delicate lines separating each layer.
Homemade Mozartkugeln
People of all ages enjoy getting creative in the kitchen, especially when it comes to fun desserts that involve kids. The process is relatively simple, requiring only a few steps before the main event. Firstly, you’ll need to melt the chocolate to perfection, but don’t worry, this won’t take long at all.
Krapfen (Austrian Jam Filled Donuts)
Sprinkled in festivities and celebrations throughout the year, donuts are a beloved treat that reaches new heights during Faschingsdienstag (Mardi Gras). While they’re often paired with apricot jam, their versatility allows for a wide range of fillings – and when enjoyed on their own with a light dusting of powdered sugar, they’re surprisingly satisfying.
Cremeschnitten (Austrian Cream Slices)
From across the globe, these sweet pastries have earned multiple names – mille-feuille in France, vanilla (or custard) slices in Britain, and Napoleon cakes in Russia. Whatver the name, a thick layer of velvety vanilla custard atop crumbly pastry and a dusting of powdered sugar is a winning combination that never fails to impress.
When preparing this recipe, take our advice and avoid using a box of pudding mix – while it may seem like a convenient shortcut, the homemade version is truly worth the extra effort. By baking from scratch, you’ll not only appreciate the fruits of your labor but also experience the satisfaction that comes with creating something special.
Palatschinken (Austrian Crêpes)
You might consider these a sweet spot in the world of pancakes – not too thick or thin, but just right for a variety of toppings like jam, caramel, and more. The width of the batter takes up the entire bottom of the pan, similar to French crêpes, but with a satisfying thickness that’s hard to resist. In terms of texture, they fall somewhere in between those delicate crêpes and the thicker American-style pancakes, making them an attractive option for anyone looking to mix things up.
Topfenknödel (Austrian Topfen Dumplings)
Nestled among the sweet treats that tempt our taste buds, these little cheesecake bites are particularly delectable and potentially hazardous when around. My own experience is a testament to this – I devoured half a batch in one sitting last week! Interestingly, traditional recipes from Austria and Germany often substitute cream cheese with cheese curds or quark to achieve a similar texture. If you’re unable to source either of these ingredients, silken tofu can be an excellent alternative.
Classic Austrian Linzer Cookies
Often considered a classic Austrian dessert, Linzer cookies have gained popularity worldwide for their irresistible combination of buttery biscuits and sweet raspberry jam. The distinctive appearance of these treats is largely due to the cut-out design in the middle of each cookie, which not only adds visual appeal but also makes them more fun to eat. While it’s true that the absence of this design won’t significantly affect the flavor, leaving it out might detract from their overall charm.
Nevertheless, if you’re short on time or prefer a simpler approach, sandwiching two cookies together still yields delicious results.
Austrian Buchteln (Sweet Yeast Rolls)
Actually, at first glance, you might think that these are ordinary dinner rolls, but nothing could be further from the truth. Although they do have a rich potential to be savored on their own or paired with some grilled chicken, the addition of an apricot filling elevates them to a new level of flavor and texture. And yet, for me, they truly come alive when smothered in a generous helping of creamy vanilla sauce.
Marillenknödel (Austrian Apricot Dumplings)
Sprinkled throughout Austria’s culinary landscape are apricots, a fruit deeply ingrained in the country’s gastronomic traditions and affectionately celebrated by locals. Like Georgia and its iconic peaches, apricots thrive in the southern regions, making them a staple ingredient in many recipes. When fresh, they boast an enchanting brightness and sweetness that is simply irresistible.
To fully appreciate their delightful natural flavor, Austrian cooks often choose to use apricots almost whole when preparing these dumplings. The result is a delightful contrast of textures, as crunchy bites mingle with the luscious goodness of the fruit.
Kletzenbrot Recipe (Christmas Fruit Bread)
Versatile and exciting options are always in demand during the holiday season, and a unique bread recipe can add a touch of sophistication to your Christmas celebrations. This particular rye bread stands out from the rest due to its rich combination of nuts and dried fruits, which provide a delightful contrast to the subtle warmth of the spices used in the recipe.
Dampfnudeln / Germknödel (Sweet Dumplings)
Delving into the world of German cuisine, Dampfnudlen is a unique dish that poses quite a challenge when attempting to put into words its characteristics. It’s a sweet dumpling that utilizes yeast in its composition, but one notable aspect is that it doesn’t require traditional proofing time, which often accompanies recipes that incorporate this leavening agent.
Austrian Polsterzipf with Topfen Dough
Nothing beats a warm, flaky pastry filled with sweet treats to kickstart my day. I’m particularly fond of these little pastries that are bursting with juicy fruit jam and crispy on the outside, golden brown perfection. For those short on time or in need of a quick fix, store-bought pie dough is always an option, but be warned – it won’t quite match the depth of flavor that homemade pastry provides.
20 Traditional Austrian Dessert Collection
Instructions
Outlining a recipe is just the beginning, however. Once you have selected your desired Austrian dessert and gathered the necessary ingredients, it’s time to put the finishing touches on your culinary creation. Organizing these components effectively will allow you to prep an exquisite pastry in 30 minutes or less.
