Something sweet on Shrove Tuesday ..

My mum and my sister from Biohof Maurachgut bake their carnival doughnuts today—no matter what extra work comes up on the farm that day. It’s a tradition, and everyone in the house enjoys it! They’re simply delicious.

Today I really felt like a fresh sponge roll, filled with strawberries and whipped cream—something refreshing in this spring-like weather. If someone drops by unexpectedly, this is also a wonderful recipe because it’s very quick and still tastes good the next day. Have fun baking it yourself.

Ingredients:3 large eggs, 100–120 g granulated or icing sugar, 4 tbsp sparkling water or water, 120 g wheat flour (sifted), 1/2 packet baking powder. Bake at 200°C for approx. 12 min, depending on the oven. For the filling:strawberries, whipped cream OR a good apricot jam—ideally mixed with a dash of rum.

Separate the eggs, beat the egg whites with the sugar until stiff, then beat the yolks with sparkling water or water until frothy. Then add the sifted wheat flour spoon by spoon (mix with baking powder beforehand), and in between add a spoonful of the stiffly beaten egg whites now and then. Once the flour goes in, don’t beat on full turbo anymore. Finally, fold in the rest of the beaten egg whites and spread evenly onto a tray (lined with baking paper). Preheat the oven to 200°C beforehand. Bake the batter for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, lay another sheet of baking paper on the work surface, sprinkle a little sugar on it, and prepare a wet cloth (damp kitchen towel). When the sponge roll is done, take it out of the oven and turn it out onto the prepared baking paper.

Place the damp kitchen towel on top of the baking paper surface—this way it comes off quickly and easily and can be rolled up really well. Roll it up straight away with the kitchen towel, and once the roll has cooled, it can be filled with jam or with strawberries and whipped cream.

Good luck, and have lots of fun baking it yourself!

In the next farm stories there’ll be something animal-related from the Zittrauerhof again. Best wishes, and a pleasant Shrove Tuesday to everyone!

Your farmer Katharina