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Savory Krapfen with potatoes and Emmentaler

17/11/2023

The Savory Krapfen with potatoes and Emmentaler are a delicious variation of the classic Austrian sweet treat. Here’s how to prepare them with an Italian twist!

Ingredients

  • 250g of potatoes
  • 500g of wheat flour
  • 25g of fresh yeast
  • 250ml of lukewarm milk
  • 60g of melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt to taste
  • Nutmeg to taste
  • 200g of grated Emmentaler
  • Oil for frying

Preparation

  1. Start by boiling the potatoes in salted water until they are soft. Drain the potatoes, let them cool slightly, and then mash them until you get a puree.
  2. In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Add a tablespoon of sugar if you prefer a slightly sweet dough, even though we are preparing a savory version.
  3. In another large bowl, sift the flour and add the mashed potatoes, melted butter, eggs, a pinch of salt, and a grating of nutmeg. Start to mix.
  4. Add the milk with the dissolved yeast and start kneading until you get a smooth and homogeneous dough. Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in volume.
  5. After rising, take the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1.5 cm.
  6. Spread the grated Emmentaler evenly over the dough disk, then fold the dough over itself and seal the edges to trap the cheese inside.
  7. With a pastry cutter or a glass, cut out discs from the folded dough.
  8. Let the formed Krapfen rise for another 30 minutes.
  9. Heat plenty of oil in a deep pan and, once the right temperature is reached (about 170 °C), fry the Krapfen a few at a time until they are golden brown.
  10. Drain them on paper towels and serve them hot.

Curiosity

The Krapfen, also known as a doughnut in some areas of Italy, has its origins in Austrian pastry but is very popular throughout northern Italy. It might be called by different names depending on the region and local tradition. This version with potatoes and melting cheese is a great example of how a sweet can turn into a delightful savory snack.