Sisi: Empress of Exploits and Austria

This is just one of many articles featuring Empress Sisi of Austria on Etiquipedia. She was an Empress who had chafed at the Royal Court etiquette of the Austrian Imperial family ever since she married the young Emperor Franz Josef. You can read one article here ~ According to Encyclopedia.com, “Elisabeth, Empress of Austria (1837-1898), was the beloved “Sisi,” one of the most famous royal celebrities of her day. As the consort of the emperor of Austria—a land that dominated the map of Europe at the time—Elisabeth was a well-known figure whose exploits were avidly chronicled in the nineteenth-century press much in the same way that Britain's Diana (1961-1997), Princess of Wales, would be a hundred years later.”

Not as Good as Her “Ma” –

The Opinion of an Austrian Princess on a Circus Rider's Feat

Nearly everybody knows that the eccentric Empress of Austria carries her fondness for hunting to such, a pitch that up to recent years she used to brave the terrible fits of “mal de mer” that are caused by the Irish channel for the sake of enjoying the superb hunting that can still be found in the Emerald Isle– one free joy not yet a hunted out of it by the ubiquitous and iniquitous Sassenach. But it is not generally known, says the New York Journal, that the first lady of the land in Austria is also a fancy rider, used to have a private arena, and when in playful mood would give exhibitions of startling equestrian skill to a select circle of more or less discreet friends. 

One day when her little daughter, Stephanie, was on a visit at the home of a noble in another part of the Empire it occurred to her hosts that perhaps a circus that was performing in the neighborhood would afford the infant princess a novel delight. They took the child, and were astonished at the profound gravity with which her little eyes watched the performers leaping through hoops of colored paper, turning somersaults or riding two horses at once. "Well," said one at last, "what does our little Princess think of it?" "Not much," replied the child, shaking her head sagely. "My ma can do those things a heap better." Then, with an air of profound conviction: "My ma's a born circus rider." Imagine, if you can, Austria's etiquette, and then imagine the thrill of amazement and horror which the child's remark produced. – Bridgeport-Chronicle Union, 1894

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and the “Emperor’s Pancake”

It was a lot like eating with Queen Victoria… As you left her table, you were still famished –‘As Royal Court etiquette dictated that everyone stop eating as soon as the Kaiser put down his fork, the young officers at the end of the table often managed no more than a tantalizing smell of the delicious “Kaiserschmarrn.”’

A Famous German Pancake

Near the turn of the century, Austrian Emperor Franz Josef I, reportedly ate the pancake with such relish that he frequently finished eating before the rest of the Royal table had been served.

As Royal Court etiquette dictated that everyone stop eating as soon as the Kaiser put down his fork, the young officers at the end of the table often managed no more than a tantalizing smell of the delicious “Kaiserschmarrn.”

“Schmarrn” soon came to mean “nothing,” as someone is not worth a “schmarrn.” It also translates as “fluff” which accurately describes the golden, souffle-like pancake.

Kaiser’s Pancakes

Truly fit for a King, this oven baked pancake is an easy adaptation of the German-Austrian “Kaiserschmarrn” or Emperor's Pancake. 

Serve the pancake immediately, hot from the oven, dusted with powdered sugar or with a fruit sauce. Divide the pancake into servings by tearing with two forks.

For variation, fresh fruit or raisins soaked in rum may be added as the last ingredient before baking. Pour 2 cup of blueberries, apples or peaches into the center of the batter in the Dutch oven. Stir lightly. Soak raisins in rum 2 hour, drain and add to batter.

Recipe may be doubled. Add 15 minutes to the baking time.

2 tablespoons butter/mar.


garine 2 eggs, beaten


1½ cups milk 1 cup flour


1/4 teaspoon baking powder


1/4 teaspoon salt


1. Preheat oven to 325°.

2. Melt butter in a 5-quart non-stick finished Dutch Oven or a 10-inch skillet over low heat. Combine remaining ingredients and mix until nearly smooth. Pour into Dutch Oven or Skillet. Bake 45 to 50 minutes in preheated oven until golden brown. Slide pancake onto serving plate. Cut or tear into wedges. Garnish with powdered sugar. – Recipe from The Desert Sun, 1979

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia