First of all, let's clarify - Kaiserschmarrn is not the same as semolina pudding or, in other words, breadcrumbs. As the latter names suggest, they are made with semolina, while Kaiserschmarrn is made with flour, and when prepared correctly, it has a lighter, fluffier texture than its semolina-based relative. Naturally, over the centuries, many variations of these two recipes have emerged, some very similar to each other. Among the various recipes, everyone prepares it in a way that suits their taste, but one thing is for sure: the Austrian-origin Kaiserschmarrn recipe does not include semolina.
This historically significant dessert owes much of its more than a century-old fame to Emperor Franz Joseph's fondness for it. Several legends surround this, including the folk tale that the Austrian emperor wanted to make pancakes himself under the cover of night when his doctors put him on a diet, and due to his inexperience, the experiment went awry, resulting in the birth of Kaiserschmarrn. While it's undeniable that Kaiserschmarrn, when made with flour, bears a striking resemblance to pancake batter, it's highly improbable that the emperor sneaked into the kitchen in his nightshirt and nightcap to cook for himself.
A more plausible version of the story suggests that Empress Elisabeth ("Sissi"), who was obsessively watching her figure, asked the court chef to prepare a light dessert for her. The chef struggled to meet Elisabeth's discerning taste, and she even complained to her husband. However, it's more believable that before delivering judgment, the emperor tasted the dessert, which he liked so much that he added it to his list of favorite sweets, almost taking us into the realm of tales like Nasreddin Hodja and King Matthias.