Zwetschgenknödel

Zwetschgenknödel is a traditional dessert consisting of dumplings that are stuffed with plums (usually of the sweet damson variety). The dumplings are typically made with boiled and mashed potatoes, flour, egg yolks, ground semolina wheat, butter, and salt. Slices of potato dough are used to enclose whole pitted plums which have been previously filled with sugar or sugar cubes. Once stuffed, they are rolled into smooth balls and simmered in water until they float up to the surface. The boiled dumplings are finally rolled in buttered and browned breadcrumbs, then enjoyed warm, typically dusted with powdered sugar. Some versions call for coating the boiled and stuffed dumplings with buttered breadcrumbs before frying them. There are many variations of this sweet specialty, with some using other types of fruits such as apricots, prunes, or large strawberries instead of plums. The dumplings may also be served with a sweet fruit sauce or drizzled with a few spoonfuls of plum brandy over the top.