Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (2024)

Knedle ze Śliwkami

“With a soft, pillowy dough enveloping juicy plums, these Polish plum-stuffed knedle are a delightful dessert that blends sweet and tart flavours.”

How to pronounce it?
ke-NED-leh ze-shlievka me
‘Play’ to hear:

Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (1)
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In this post, you’ll find a recipe and tips for making a popular classic – knedle ze śliwkami.
They’re soft potato-based dumplings filled with juicy plums, served warm with a dollop of fresh cream and a pinch of cinnamon. Knedle will make a nice late-summer dinner (or a warm dessert). Have a go, your babcia would approve!

I won’t lie to you – it took me 3 or 4 attempts to get these plum dumplings right. I followed a traditional recipe to a tee, and yet I kept on encountering more difficulties as I went along.

Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (2)

First time round, the dough was too sticky. Adding more flour didn’t help. In fact – it made it worse.

Second time, the dumplings have disintegrated while cooking. I ended up with a few cooked plums and some floating pieces of dough. Third time was so bad on so many levels, that I won’t even list them here (too embarrassing really).

So I asked my favourite uncle for advice (you might know him, it’s uncle Google). And… the enlightenment struck. There was so much I didn’t know! I’ve implemented all the tips I read online and the results were… delicious. Surprisingly so.

So let me share with you some quick tricks on how to handle this knedle-making business. This way you’ll make it a smooth & tasty operation.

Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (3)

How to Make Perfect Plum Dumplings (and Not Go Nuts In The Process)

Scan through the tips below. They’ll help you stay out of trouble. The full recipe is at the bottom of the post.

Pick the Right Potatoes

To make the best knedle ever, opt-in for “floury”, starchy potatoes:

Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (4)
  • In Poland, we call them “type C” potatoes. The exact names are listed here (under “mączysty” at the bottom).
  • In the US: Russet, Idaho or Yukon goldpotatoes should workwell.
  • In the UK, select one of those: King Edward, Marabel, Russett, Vivaldi.
  • Australia: Coliban, King Edward, Pontiac.

Spuds listed above are prone to flake and to separate easily when boiled (which is a good thing!). With waxy potatoes, the dough is more difficult to form and you might get some unwanted lumps & bumps.

Pick the Right Plums

What we need is an extra-juicy plum in peak season, when it’s perfectly ripe.

In Poland, we use węgierka, a small type of an European common plum. You’ll recognize it by its dusky skin of mottled purple and yellow. When cut, the fruit inside has a rich golden hue.

Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (5)

But fear not – any stone fruit will do the trick, as long as it isn’t too large. I’ve seen these small plums variously referred to as: French Plums, Sugar Plums, Damsons, Blackthorns.

Get the Timing Right

For best results, cook the potatoes the day before and then pass them through a potato ricer.
Don’t use warm, freshly boiled potatoes! The dough will end up runny. Even if you manage to form knedle with it – they’ll taste weird.

Once the potato-based dough is prepared, the dumplings must be stuffed immediately. If the dough is set aside for too long, its consistency becomes thinner.

Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (6)

Cooking Time

Timing is super-duper important. Drop knedle into a pot of salted boiling water and cook for 10-25 minutes (depending on their size and filling) on a very low heat – so that they’re barely cooking at all:

  • During this time, the water mustn’t boil, otherwise, the dumplings will fall apart.
  • When the water starts bubbling, lower the temperature with a few drops of cold water.

Cool Tip: Want to make your knedle extra special? Enrich the cooking water. Add a pinch of vanilla sugar, a piece of a vanilla pod or a glass of rum.

When ready, remove the cooked dumplings with a slotted spoon and drain the excess water. Don’t wait, these plumalicious dumplings should be served immediately. If they stay in the water bath for too long, they get sad & soggy.

Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (7)

Newbie Tip: Before you’ll become a total pro in knedle-making, do a quick test before removing all the knedle from the pot. Take one dumpling out first, and check if it has cooked already:
Cut the dumpling in half. If the inside is dry and plump, that means they’re done. You can safely remove them all and serve.

Yield: 4

Knedle ze Śliwkami: Plum Potato Dumplings

Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (8)

These Potato Dumplings hold a delicious surprise inside: an extra-juicy plum. This sweet stone fruit is not to be missed. When plums are in season, plum "knedle" are a wonderful option for dinner or dessert.

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Additional Time12 hours

Total Time12 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (250g) flour
  • 3/4 cup (250g) cooked potatoes
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp (20 g) butter
  • 2.2 lb (1 kg) small plums
  • 3 tbsp (60 g) butter
  • 5 tbsp (60 g) sugar
  • 1 cup (250 ml) cream
  • a pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel the potatoes, cook them for 20 minutes until soft.
  2. Cool them completely, ideally overnight. Once cooled, force potatoes through a potato press.

    Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (9)

  3. Add butter, flour, egg, cream and salt. Knead well, adding a bit of water if necessary.

    Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (10)

  4. Form the dough into small walnut-sized pieces. Flatten each dough ball and wrap it around a pitted plum.

    Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (11)

  5. When ready, boil a large pot of water. Drop dumplings in, wait for them to float. Once they float, cook for another 5 minutes.
  6. Remove from the water. Serve with melted butter and sweetened cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Notes

References:

  • I found this recipe in "Jak gotować: praktyczny poradnik kucharski z 1930 roku" ("How to Cook: A Practical Cooking Guide from 1930") cookbook by Maria Disslowa. 1988 edition, page 338.
  • Tips: "Lane, leniwe, śląskie" book by Hanna Szymanderska, published by: Prószyński i S-ka. 2001 edition.
  • More tips (in Polish): "Knedle ze śliwkami" Dzień Dobry TVN.
Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (12)

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Recipe Information

Filed under:

Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (13)

Desserts, , Mains, Other Desserts

all-Polish (Popular Nationwide)

Autumn, Comfort Food, Kid-friendly, Summer

Alternative traditional/regional names:

Also known / Misspelt internationally as:

Tested by:

First published on:

Recipe by / Adapted from:

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Knedle: Polish Plum Dumplings [RECIPE!] | Polonist (2024)

FAQs

What is a knedle in English? ›

Knedle (plural from German Knödel, "dumplings"), is a dish of boiled ball- or oval-shaped dumplings with a filling. The dough can be potato-based or made of choux pastry; sometimes it is curd-based. It is filled with fruits (whole strawberries, prune plums, apricots, pieces of apples), mushrooms, curd cheese, meat etc.

What are plum dumplings made of? ›

These dumplings are made by small plums into a potato-based dough. Then they are simmered in water and covered in buttery breadcrumbs. These Hungarian plum dumplings look lovely when cut in half.

What is the difference between kluski and kopytka? ›

Kopytka (i.e. 'little hooves') are cousins of the Italian gnocchi. They are made with boiled mashed potatoes and a little bit of wheat flour. The dough is rolled and cut into diamond-shaped kluski, which are boiled and sometimes also fried to make the outside crispy.

Where did knedle come from? ›

Knedle (from German knödel, "dumpling"), is a dish of boiled potato-dough dumplings filled with plums or apricots, originating in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Popular in Central and Eastern European countries, the dish is eaten as dessert, a main dish, or side dish.

What is a knodel in German? ›

Knödel is the German word for dumpling, and as such there are dozens of varieties. The most popular, however, are probably semmelknödel, which are made from day-old bread rolls (semmeln) soaked in warm milk and seasoned with onion, parsley, and a pinch of nutmeg. There are two basic ways to form bread-based knödel.

What is the history of plum dumplings? ›

Plum dumplings are common throughout Central and Eastern Europe and are presumed to have originated in the times of the Austro-Hungarian empire. They are typically prepared when plums ripen, which is in late summer and early fall.

What are the 3 components of dumplings? ›

What are dumplings made of? The dumpling dough is made of three main ingredients: flour, water and salt. But which flour you use depends on which dumpling you want to make.

What is hidden in dumplings? ›

Some families hide a coin inside one or more of the jiaozi, so someone may bite into something hard and discover a gold or silver coin inside their dumpling. Whoever finds the dumpling with the coin has good luck and will be lucky in the upcoming year.

What's the difference between bao and dumplings? ›

To Summarize. In summary, bao buns are made from fermented yeast dough, while dumplings are only made from wheat flour without the yeast. Since bao dough contains yeast, it needs more time to rise and results in thinner skin than dumplings. In terms of cooking, baos are usually steamed, baked, and sometimes pan-fried.

What is Poland's most famous dumplings called? ›

This pierogi recipe for Polish dumplings has been a family favorite from generation to generation. We traditionally make these for Christmas, but they can be made for any special event. There's some work involved, but the outcome is rewarding!

What are Poland's dumplings called? ›

Pierogi are Eastern European stuffed dumplings that are usually boiled. As with many traditional foods, there are regional varieties with fillings ranging from sweet to savoury, meat to meatless. This potato and cheese-filled Pierogi recipe I'm sharing today is a meatless kind popular in Poland.

Why are dumplings popular in Poland? ›

For many Poles, the dumplings are a symbolic memory of the childhood flavours. Poles love dumplings not only because of their nostalgic features, but also because of the versatility of the dish and the original taste.

What is a Knoodle? ›

Usually made from flour, bread or potatoes, they are often served as a side dish, but can also be a dessert such as plum dumplings, or even meat balls in soup. Many varieties and variations exist. Knödel. Alternative names. See below.

What is Klazel? ›

Traditional Klazel Recipe | recipe | Dan-O's spin on this traditional klazel🙌🔥 | By Dan-O's Seasoning | Check out how we make German claisel. Exactly how my grandmother taught me how to make it. Basically, a potato dumpling, I'm going to show you how to do it. Start out by boiling your potatoes with the jackets on.

What is the history of Kartoffelklöße? ›

German Potato Dumplings, known as “Kartoffelklöße” in some parts of Germany and “Kartoffelknödel” in others, have a rich history in German cuisine. Originating from Germany's diverse culinary regions, these dumplings became a staple, especially in areas where potatoes were abundant.

What are German knodel made of? ›

Usually made from flour, bread or potatoes, they are often served as a side dish, but can also be a dessert such as plum dumplings, or even meat balls in soup. Many varieties and variations exist.

What is the name of the Austrian dumpling? ›

Germknödel ([ˈɡɛɐ̯mˌknøːdl̩] in Austrian German) is a fluffy yeast dough dumpling (knödel), filled with spiced plum jam and served with melted butter and a mix of poppy seeds and sugar on top.

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