Make Ahead

Rhubarb Strawberry Datschi

May  6, 2014
0
0 Ratings
  • Makes 1 sheet cake
Author Notes

Datschi is a type of sheet cake that is widely popular in Southern Germany. The topping alternatives for a Datschi are endless. The most known version is made with Italian Prune Plums, called Zwetschgen, although an apricot version won my heart last summer. In honor of spring I decided to make a Datschi topped with spring ambassadors: tart rhubarb and juicy, sweet strawberries.

The rhubarb and strawberries as well as the thin crust make this Datschi the more sophisticated, elegant sister of the traditional plum topped "Zwetschgendatschi". I made two slightly different versions: with and without cinnamon. It was, however, impossible to decide which one was more delicious, so I will leave it up to you. I strongly encourage you to serve it with whipped cream, although I'm sure coconut whipped cream or vanilla ice cream would be wonderful as well. On a different note, I like to make this dough by hand, but you can definitely make it in your stand mixer as well.

The dough is adapted from Nicole Stich of delicious:days (for the recipe: http://www.deliciousdays.com/archives/2009/09/03/zwetschgendatschi-wherever-you-go/). —Sini | My Blue&White Kitchen

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Ingredients
  • Dough
  • cups
    1 ½ tbsp (1 dl) lukewarm milk


  • 14 grams fresh yeast [OR 4,5 g / 1 ½ tsp (intant) active dry yeast, used according to packet instructions]
  • 55 grams granulated sugar
  • 1 pinch fine sea salt
  • 1 egg
  • 300 grams all-purpose flour
  • 55 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • Topping
  • 130 grams all-purpose flour
  • 70 grams granulated sugar
  • 1 large pinches fine sea salt
  • 70 grams unsalted butter
  • 350 grams rhubarb, sliced
  • 350 grams strawberries, hulled & sliced
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • optional: cinnamon
  • to serve: whipped cream
Directions
  1. To make the dough: In a medium-sized bowl, combine milk and crumbled yeast. [If using instant active dry yeast, skip this step. Combine yeast with some flour and add to warm, about 108°F / 42°C, milk mixture just before adding the rest of the flour.] Stir until yeast is completely dissolved. Add sugar, salt, and egg. Whisk until combined. Gradually add most of the flour and knead. Add butter and knead until well combined. Continue to knead and add flour until the dough comes clean off the sides of the bowl and doesn't stick to your hand.
  2. Shape into a ball and cover with a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it's almost double in size.
  3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  4. To make the streusel: In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and butter until you have a crumbly mixture. If not using immediately, put the bowl into the fridge.
  5. Arranging the Datschi: With a rolling pin, roll out the dough until roughly the size of the baking tray. Spread out on the baking tray and pull into shape. Spread the rhubarb and strawberries in an even layer over the dough. Sprinkle with sugar and, optionally, with some cinnamon. Sprinkle the streusel over the fruit.
  6. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are dark brown. Let cool and cut into squares and serve with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

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2 Reviews

Sini |. May 17, 2015
Oh yes, I use breadcrumbs if the plums are very juicy or if I make datschi when they aren't in season and hence have to use frozen plums (I always make sure to save a batch of zwetschgen and freeze it).

Hope you'll find the time to make this rhubarb version with an extra thin crust!
Spatzl May 16, 2015
What a great idea! My husband is from Munich so when the prune plums are in season, I always make Zwetschgendatschi. I love rhubarb so I must try this! I always put either crushed amaretti or ladyfingers to keep the crust from getting soggy. I'm sure it disappears so fast for you that you've never had to worry about soggy crust!