Berliner Donuts with Strawberry Jam – Ingredients and Preparation Method

Berliner Donuts with Strawberry Jam – Ingredients and Preparation Method

Berliner donuts are a type of German pastry named after the city of Berlin. These pastries were originally created by Dutch immigrants in the early 19th century and later brought to the United States. Berliner donuts are known for their soft and fluffy texture, usually filled with custard, chocolate, or various types of jam, and topped with powdered sugar.

Preparing Strawberry Jam:

Ingredients:

• 1 kg strawberries
• ½ kg sugar
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon orange peel
• ½ lemon juice

Preparation:

1. Clean the strawberries and cut them into small pieces.
2. In a pot, add the strawberries and sugar, and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture reaches a jam-like consistency, for at least one hour.
3. After cooking, add the cinnamon sticks, lemon juice, and orange peel. Continue stirring to prevent sticking for another 30 minutes.
4. Once the jam has thickened, remove it from the heat, let it cool slightly, and pour it into airtight jars.

Preparing Berliner Donuts:

Ingredients:

• 1 packet dry yeast
• 3 cups + 1 tablespoon flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup warm water
• ¼ cup butter
• A pinch of salt
• 2 egg yolks
• Strawberry jam
• Oil for frying
• Powdered sugar for decoration

Preparation:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a deep bowl, mix the yeast with 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, and 1 tablespoon of warm water. Stir gently and let it rest to activate.

2. Prepare the Dough: While waiting for the yeast, mix the melted butter with three cups of flour, a pinch of salt, and the remaining sugar. Add the beaten egg yolks to the yeast mixture and pour the water gradually, kneading the mixture by hand until you get a smooth and elastic dough.

3. Let the Dough Rise: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for 1.5 hours to allow the yeast to work.

4. Roll Out the Dough: Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to a thickness of about ¾ inch, sprinkling flour as needed to prevent sticking. Cut the dough into medium-sized circles, place a spoonful of strawberry jam in the center of each, and cover with another piece of dough, pressing the edges firmly to seal.

5. Proof the Donuts: Place the filled donuts on a plate, cover them with plastic wrap, and let them rise for at least 45 minutes.

6. Fry the Donuts: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the donuts one by one, frying until they turn golden on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side, depending on the heat and thickness of the dough.

7. Cool and Decorate: Remove the donuts from the pan and let them cool slightly. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

Enjoy your delicious Berliner donuts with strawberry jam!