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Dampfnudeln – Steamed Dumpling Cake Soaked in Caramel Sauce

June 17, 2021
Dampfnudeln – Steamed Dumpling Cake Soaked in Caramel Sauce

With the secular New Year just around the corner, I can think of no better dish to make than Dampfnudeln , a Bavarian dessert whose name means steamed (dampf) dumplings (nudeln). It consists of balls of a rich yeast dough steamed in a Dutch oven, covered with caramel, and accompanied by a vanilla sauce.

Featured in: How To Make Dampfnudeln, the Ultimate Dessert for New Year’s Eve

Ingredients

For the cake

  • 2tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 1 ¼cups lukewarm milk
  • ¼cup sugar
  • 2egg yolks
  • 1 ¾cups (3 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1teaspoon salt
  • 1teaspoon vanilla
  • 1tablespoon brandy
  • 5-6cups all-purpose flour

For the caramel sauce

  • 2cups sugar
  • ½cup warm water
  • 1tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ½cup maple syrup
  • ½cup heavy cream
  • 1teaspoon vanilla
Yield: 12 servings

Preparation

To make the Dampfnudeln – Steamed Dumpling Cake Soaked in Caramel Sauce

  • Step 1

    Dissolve the yeast in a mixing bowl with the lukewarm milk and sugar. Stir and add the egg yolks, melted butter, salt, vanilla, and brandy. Gradually add 5 cups of the flour, adding more if needed. The dough will be very soft. Beat well with a spoon or an electric mixer and let rise, covered, for an hour. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

  • Step 2

    Let it return to room temperature before continuing. Flour a board and roll the dough out to 1-inch thick. Cut circles 2 inches in diameter with a small biscuit or cookie cutter. Arrange a layer of rounds on the bottom of an 8- or 9-inch springform pan lined with parchment paper, almost touching, then continue layering until you have used up all the dough. Allow to rise 45 minutes to 1 hour, covered.

  • Step 3

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and make the caramel sauce. In a saucepan mix the sugar with 1/4 cup of the water. Very gradually add the remaining water, stirring constantly. Simmer on medium heat until slightly caramel in color, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add the butter, syrup, and cream, and simmer a few more minutes until smooth. Set aside and allow to cool for a few minutes, then add the vanilla.

  • Step 4

    After the dumplings have risen, bake on the bottom rack of the oven for 45 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and prick the top with the tines of a fork. Just before serving reheat the caramel sauce and pour over the cake. Let the sauce seep through then flip the cake onto a serving plate. Cut in slices and serve with vanilla ice cream.