Quarkbällchen are sweet German fried dough balls made with quark (a german cheese), rolled in cinnamon sugar. They are an easy version of a donut hole that tastes similar to classic Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes.
What are Quarkbällchen?
Quarkbällchen are small fried dough balls made with quark and they use baking powder instead of yeast to make them puff. This makes the process faster and easier!
What can I use instead of Quark
Quark works best in this recipe and if you can’t find any at the store – you can make it at home with this Quark Recipe. However, if you can’t find quark or don’t want to make it, you can use farmers cheese which you can find at some grocery stores. If you use farmers cheese be sure to blend the wet ingredients together rather than just whisk them because farmers cheese is not as smooth as quark.
How long will they last?
Because they are fried, they are best eaten immediately. However, because they use baking powder instead of yeast they will last a few more days without getting stale! To refresh them, place on a lined baking sheet in a 350 F degree oven for 5 minutes. Then leave to cool for 5 minutes and re-roll in cinnamon sugar.
Additional Recipes to try:
- Classic Krapfen – German Fried Donuts
- Baked Chocolate Donuts
- Quark – German Cheese similar to Yogurt in taste and texture
Tips for making Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes
- Use a thick bottomed, large pot, for frying. This will make it easier to keep the oil at a stable temperature.
- If the batter is too thick, add in a tablespoon or two of milk. It should be thick but not stiff.
- When dropping the donut holes into the hot oil, do so close to the surface so the oil doesn’t splash back up.
- Do not try to fry too many at one time, this will cause the temperature of the oil to drop and the bällchen to get oily.
- Immediately after frying, roll the donut holes in cinnamon sugar. If you wait too long, the sugar may not stick well to the fried dough.
Ingredients
- Quark: a type of German cheese, quark is a common addition to baked goods in Germany. If you can’t find any you can make your own quark or substitute____
- Egg: This recipe uses a standard large egg. It doesn’t need to be room temperature but it’s best if it is the same temperature as the quark.
- Granulated Sugar: A small addition of sugar gives the donut holes a little sweetness plus there is sugar mixed with cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar coating.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds a touch of flavor and enhances the sweetness.
- Lemon Zest: Lemon zest is optional but adds a welcome brightness to this recipe
- All Purpose Flour: Any all purpose flour should work for this! I have not yet tried any other flour with this recipe.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder is what leads to the puff and rise of these quarkbällchen so it’s important that it is not expired.
- Milk: Depending on the thickness of your quark you may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to the batter.
- Neutral Frying Oil: Canola or vegetable oil will work for frying these.
- Cinnamon: cinnamon is mixed with granulated sugar to make the cinnamon sugar coating.
How to make Easy Donut Holes?
Make the batter
- Heat 1″-2″ of oil over medium heat to 350 F in a large dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot.
- Line a plate with two layers of paper towel.
- In a small bowl, stir the sugar and cinnamon together to make the cinnamon sugar coating.
- In a large bowl, whisk the quark, egg, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest together until combined.
- Then, add in the flour and baking powder and whisk to combine.
- If stiff – whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of milk. It should be thick but not stiff.
Fry the Donut Holes
- Once the oil is hot, use a 1/4 cup scoop to scoop 3-4 portions of dough into the oil. Drop them in close to the surface and set a timer for 2 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon or metal spider to gently swirl them around if they are close together or seem to be stuck on the bottom.
- After two minutes, use the metal spoon/spider to gently flip the dough balls over. Set a timer for another 2 minutes. If they already have don’t worry, just try to get both sides to be a golden brown color.
- Once fried, use the slotted spoon to remove the quarkbällchen from the oil and place on the paper towel lined plate. Allow the oil to reheat if necessary before adding in the next batch.
- Carefully but quickly roll the donut holes in the cinnamon sugar, one at a time.
Quarkbällchen
Equipment
- Dutch oven large heavy bottomed pot
Ingredients
Quarkbällchen batter
- 125 grams quark
- 1 egg
- 60 grams granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 lemon zested
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 125 grams ap flour
- 1 tablespoon milk as needed
For Frying
- 1 liter vegetable oil or other neutral oil
- 100 grams cinnamon sugar
Instructions
Batter
- Heat 1"-2" of oil over medium heat to 350 F in a large dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot.
- Line a plate with two layers of paper towel.
- In a small bowl, stir the sugar and cinnamon together to make the cinnamon sugar coating.
- In a large bowl, whisk the quark, egg, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest together until combined.
- Add in the flour and baking powder and whisk to combine.
- If stiff – whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of milk. It should be thick but not stiff.
Fry
- Once the oil is hot, use a 1/4 cup scoop to scoop 3-4 portions of dough into the oil.
- Drop them in close to the surface and set a timer for 2 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon or metal spider to gently swirl them around if they are close together or seem to be stuck on the bottom.
- After 2 minutes, use the metal spoon/spider to gently flip the dough balls over.
- Set a timer for another 2 minutes.
- If they already have don't worry, just try to get both sides to be a golden brown color.
- Once fried, use the slotted spoon to remove the quarkbällchen from the oil and place on the paper towel lined plate.
- Allow the oil to reheat if necessary before adding in the next batch.
- Carefully but quickly roll the donut holes in the cinnamon sugar, one at a time.
Notes
Nutrition
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