Schneeball (pastry) facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Schneeballen |
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| Type | Pastry |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Main ingredients | Shortcrust pastry, flour, eggs, sugar, butter, cream, plum schnaps |
A Schneeball (pronounced sh-NYE-ball), also called a Schneeballen, is a yummy pastry from Germany. Its name means "snowball" in English, which makes sense because it's round like a ball. This sweet treat is especially famous in the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Schneeballs are usually about 8 to 10 centimeters wide. They are often covered in white confectioner's sugar, making them look like they're dusted with snow. Sometimes, people also call them a Storchennest, which means "stork's nest."
The History of Schneeball Pastry
Schneeballs have been around for a very long time! People in the regions of Franconia and Hohenlohe in Germany have enjoyed this pastry for at least 400 years.
In the past, Schneeballs were special treats. They were only served on important days, like at weddings. But today, you can find them all year round!
If you visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber, you'll see Schneeballs everywhere. They are sold in bakeries, pastry shops, and cafes. Some companies in the town even focus only on making Schneeballs. They create many different kinds, not just the classic sugar-dusted ones. You might find them covered in chocolate, nuts, or even filled with marzipan. Because they are so popular, Schneeballs are a common souvenir from Rothenburg.
How Schneeballs Are Made
Making a Schneeball starts with a few simple ingredients. The main things you need are flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and cream. A little bit of plum schnaps is also added for flavor.
To get their unique round shape, the dough is rolled out flat. Then, it's cut into long, even strips. These strips are carefully woven together over a stick, like the handle of a wooden spoon.
Once the strips are woven, the stick is gently pulled out. This helps the dough strips form a loose, ball-like shape. A special round tool, called a Schneeballeneisen, is used to keep the ball's shape perfect.
The dough ball is then deep-fried in hot oil until it turns a beautiful golden brown. While it's still warm, it gets a generous dusting of white confectioner's sugar.
Schneeballs are a dry, crunchy pastry, similar to a large cookie. This means they can stay fresh for a long time, usually about eight weeks, even without needing to be kept in a fridge.
Images for kids
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Schneeballen display, with the specialized holder for deep frying
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Schneebälle in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
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Schneebälle shop in an underground shopping center in Seoul, South Korea
