Hungarian Plum Dumplings

This is the traditional recipe for Hungarian plum dumplings with sweet, mashed potato dough and breadcrumbs crust.

This wonderful Hungarian plum dumplings dessert recipe was first made by my mom. They’re actually called Szilvas Gomboc, and even though this recipe has Hungarian origins, it’s very popular in Romania as well, especially in the northern part of the country.

Hungarian plum dumplings, popular also as “zwetschgenknödel” in Germany, are a traditional Hungarian dessert made with plums wrapped in a dumpling-like dough. These dumplings are then boiled in water or a sweet syrup, and served warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

The origins of Hungarian plum dumplings can be traced back to the rural regions of Hungary and the neighboring countries of Austria and the Czech Republic, where plums have been a staple fruit for centuries. This dessert has become a beloved traditional treat for families during the fall season, when plums are in abundance.

While the traditional recipe calls for plums, there are variations that use other fruits such as apricots or peaches. Some recipes even call for a sweet filling made from nuts, sugar, and spices.

Making it Gluten-Free: For those following a gluten-free diet, a gluten-free flour can be used in place of traditional flour to make the dough. I’ve tried it and it works just fine.

This is how my mom makes the plum dumplings each Fall and the way she taught me how to make them. I slightly modified the recipe, trying to make it a bit healthier by substituting some of the ingredients. For example, instead of refined sugar, I used honey and dates sugar and also I lowered the amount of oil used in the original recipe.

This is a must-try dessert! Unfortunately, it takes almost 2 hours to make about 25 plum dumplings, but it’s totally worth it! I wanted to take a “group” photo with all the lovely plum dumplings, but it was too late; these little sweet Hungarian plum dumplings disappeared as soon as they were served!

Tips for the best Hungarian plum dumplings

1. To make the dumplings extra soft and fluffy, let the dough rest for about 10 minutes before rolling and stuffing.
2. For a crispier texture, pan-fry the dumplings in butter until golden brown before boiling.
3. To make a sweet syrup, combine sugar, water, and a touch of vanilla extract and simmer until the sugar dissolves.

So there you have it, a delicious and traditional Hungarian dessert that’s perfect for the fall season! These plum dumplings are a comforting and sweet treat that can be enjoyed on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

You should definitely try these plum dumplings! Let me know if you like them as much as I do. 🙂