Description
Berliners are classic German jelly-filled doughnuts that are deep-fried until golden, with a fluffy interior and sweet jam center, dusted generously with powdered sugar. Traditionally enjoyed during festivities like New Year’s Eve and Carnival.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon rum (optional, traditional)
1/2 cup fruit jam or jelly (raspberry, strawberry, or plum)
Vegetable oil for frying
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let sit until frothy, about 5–10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the frothy yeast mixture, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and rum (if using) to the dry ingredients.
- Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 8–10 minutes.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and roll it out to ½ inch thickness.
- Cut into rounds using a cookie cutter or glass and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Let the dough rounds rise again for 30–45 minutes.
- Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the doughnuts in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and let cool slightly.
- Fill each Berliner with jam using a piping bag fitted with a long nozzle.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Rum adds traditional flavor and helps reduce oil absorption but can be omitted.
Try lemon zest in the dough for a fresh twist.
Fill with custard or Nutella for variety.
Cinnamon-sugar can be used instead of powdered sugar for a warm, spiced finish.
Best enjoyed the same day but can be gently reheated in the microwave for 10 seconds.
To store longer, freeze unfilled Berliners and add jam after thawing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Berliner
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
