Here’s a traditional Hungarian Plum Dumplings recipe 🇭🇺🍑—soft potato dough wrapped around juicy plums, rolled in buttery breadcrumbs, and lightly sweetened. In Hungary, they’re called Szilvás gombóc.
🇭🇺 Hungarian Plum Dumplings (Szilvás Gombóc)
⏱ Time
- Prep: 30 minutes
- Cook: 20 minutes
- Serves: 4–6
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 lbs (900 g) starchy potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
- Pinch of salt
Filling
- 10–12 Italian plums (or small firm plums), pitted
- 10–12 sugar cubes or 2–3 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½–1 tsp cinnamon
Coating
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp butter
To Serve
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook Potatoes
- Boil potatoes in their skins until fork-tender.
- Drain, peel while warm, and mash until smooth.
- Let cool completely (important so dough doesn’t get sticky).
2️⃣ Make the Dough
- Mix mashed potatoes with egg, melted butter, salt, and flour.
- Knead gently until a soft, non-sticky dough forms.
- Do not overwork.
3️⃣ Prepare Plums
- Place a sugar cube (or ½ tsp sugar) and a pinch of cinnamon inside each pitted plum.
4️⃣ Shape Dumplings
- Roll dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thick.
- Cut into squares.
- Place a plum in the center of each square.
- Wrap dough around plum and seal well.
5️⃣ Cook Dumplings
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil.
- Drop dumplings in carefully.
- Cook until they float, then boil 2 more minutes.
- Remove with a slotted spoon.
6️⃣ Coat in Breadcrumbs
- Melt butter in a pan.
- Add breadcrumbs and toast until golden.
- Roll cooked dumplings in breadcrumbs to coat evenly.
7️⃣ Serve
- Dust lightly with powdered sugar if desired.
- Serve warm.
🌟 Tips for Perfect Dumplings
- Use starchy potatoes for best texture.
- Dough should be soft, not elastic.
- Italian plums are traditional—they’re less watery.
- Leftovers can be pan-fried in butter the next day.
If you want, I can also share:
- A quick shortcut version
- A sweet cottage-cheese dough variation
- A savory plum dumpling twist (old countryside style)
Just tell me which one you’d like 😊
