Palatschinken are Austria’s answer to Crêpes—thin, delicate pancakes that are slightly thicker than French Crêpes but thinner than American pancakes. They’re traditionally served rolled up like jelly rolls, filled with sweet or savory fillings, and dusted with powdered sugar.
Last October, I spent a few wonderful days at a cozy bed-and-breakfast near Salzburg, Austria. Nestled among rolling green hills and framed by the majestic Alps, the charming Alpine-style house felt as though it had been lifted straight from my favorite television series, Der Bergdoktor. The flower-filled balconies, wooden shutters, and breathtaking mountain views created the perfect Austrian postcard scene.
As the afternoon slowly faded into evening, I began searching online for a nearby restaurant that served traditional Austrian cuisine. When traveling, I always make it a point to seek out local dishes rather than settling for familiar fare. After all, food tells the story of a place better than almost anything else.
About an hour later, I found myself seated in a welcoming restaurant filled with warm wood interiors and the comforting aroma of home-cooked Austrian specialties. I enjoyed a delicious dinner featuring regional flavors and hearty Alpine cooking. But it was the dessert that truly captured my heart.
The menu offered Palatschinken, a classic Austrian pancake dessert that I had heard about but never tasted. Naturally, I couldn’t resist ordering it.
The Racklwirt Guesthouse was very close, in fact in walking distance from my B&B. At this Guesthouse I had the best Austrian pancake dessert, the Palatschinken, filled with vanilla ice cream.
Once back home in my kitchen I had a some time and the cravings for sweets, I prepared this delicious sweet Austrian pancake dish.
What Are Palatschinken?
Palatschinken are thin, delicate pancakes that closely resemble French Crêpes. However, they hold a special place in Austrian cuisine and have been enjoyed throughout Austria and neighboring countries for generations.
Unlike the fluffy American-style pancakes many of us are familiar with, Palatschinken are paper-thin, tender, and remarkably versatile. They can be served sweet or savory, but the sweet versions are especially popular as a dessert.
Traditionally, the thin pancakes are spread with apricot jam, strawberry preserves, or sweetened quark cheese, then rolled into neat cylinders and dusted generously with powdered sugar. Some variations are topped with chocolate sauce, vanilla cream, fresh berries, or chopped nuts. And on the side with some vanilla ice cream, whipping cream and fruit. Let your imagination and tastebuds play.
Drop two eggs into the flour 
Add the milk, salt and carbonated water. Whisk until smooth 
Pour in batter and spread out a thin batter by turning in pan 
It should be golden brown on both sides 
Fill and pancake with chocolate syrup or jam, ice cream. Fold finished pancakes 2 times 
Palatschinken with Apricot jam and Almond slivers 
Palatschinken with fruit on the side
Variations to Try
Palatschinken are incredibly versatile. You can fill them with:
• Nutella and bananas
• Sweetened quark or ricotta cheese
• Chocolate-walnut spread
• Apple-cinnamon or berry compote
• Or go savory with spinach and feta, ham and cheese, or tomato-mozzarella
Palatschinken, a sweet Austrian Pancake Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 200 ml milk
- 50 mg carbonated water
- 1 pinch of salt
- 5 tbsp butter
- 1 cup chocolate syrup
- 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream (or chocolate)
- Optional: whipping cream, berries
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, eggs, milk and salt in a bowl.
- Beat to a smooth dough.
- Now heat the butter in a pan.
- With the help of a ladle pour some batter into the pan.
- Spread the dough evenly by swirling the pan.
- Fry the pancakes on one side until it has a golden brown color.
- Now turn the dough over and let the second side turn golden brown as well.
- Keep warm until ready for further processing.
- Fill the pancakes with chocolate sauce (or jam) and fold them up.
- Optional: Can be filled with vanilla ice cream or place it on top or on the side.
- Drizzle pancakes with the chocolate syrup.
Notes
Fill the Palatschinken Austrian pancakes with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream, fold them up. Add the chocolate syrup on top of the pancakes and serve. Serve with fruit and whipping cream (or ice cream) if you like
