Method for producing organopolysiloxanes comprising per molecule at least one structural unit of general formulae O 3-a/2 R a Si-Y- (SiR a O 3-a/2) b, and R 1 c SiO 4-c, characterized in that (a) in a first step a mixture of compounds of general formulae X 3-a R a Si-Y- (SiR a X 3-a) b and R 1 c SiX 4-c and siloxanes which comprise per molecule at least one structural unit selected from the group comprising general formulae O 3-a/2 R a Si-Y- (SiR a O 3-a/2) b and R 1 c SiO 4-c and mixtures thereof and which have a molar mass (M w weight-average) of from 100 to 950 g/mol is contacted with a catalyst, preferably a catalyst having a substantially acidic surface, and (b) in a second step the mixture obtained therefrom is reacted with water or an aqueous acid to obtain organopolysiloxanes which comprise per molecule at least one structural unit of formulae and and which have a molar mass (M w weight-average) of from 1000 to 100 000 g/mol where R may be identical or different and represents a monovalent SiC-bonded organic radical which comprises from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and which may comprise one or more nitrogen and/or oxygen atoms, R 1 may be identical or different and represents a monovalent SiC-bonded organic radical which comprises from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and which may comprise one or more nitrogen and/or oxygen atoms, Y represents a divalent to dodecavalent organic radical which comprises from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and which may comprise one or more oxygen atoms, X represents a hydrolyzable group, a is 0 or 1, b is an integer of from 1 to 11 and c is 0, 1, 2 or 3, with the proviso that the siloxanes employed which comprise per molecule at least one structural unit selected from the group comprising general formulae and and mixtures thereof are by-products which are formed in addition to the organopolysiloxanes comprising the structural units and, removed from said organopolysiloxanes comprising the structural units and, and recycled into the method. (a) in a first step a mixture of compounds of general formulae X 3-a R a Si-Y- (SiR a X 3-a) b and R 1 c SiX 4-c and siloxanes which comprise per molecule at least one structural unit selected from the group comprising general formulae O 3-a/2 R a Si-Y- (SiR a O 3-a/2) b and R 1 c SiO 4-c and mixtures thereof and which have a molar mass (M w weight-average) of from 100 to 950 g/mol is contacted with a catalyst, preferably a catalyst having a substantially acidic surface, and (b) in a second step the mixture obtained therefrom is reacted with water or an aqueous acid to obtain organopolysiloxanes which comprise per molecule at least one structural unit of formulae and and which have a molar mass (M w weight-average) of from 1000 to 100 000 g/mol where R may be identical or different and represents a monovalent SiC-bonded organic radical which comprises from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and which may comprise one or more nitrogen and/or oxygen atoms, R 1 may be identical or different and represents a monovalent SiC-bonded organic radical which comprises from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and which may comprise one or more nitrogen and/or oxygen atoms, Y represents a divalent to dodecavalent organic radical which comprises from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and which may comprise one or more oxygen atoms, X represents a hydrolyzable group, a is 0 or 1, b is an integer of from 1 to 11 and c is 0, 1, 2 or 3, R may be identical or different and represents a monovalent SiC-bonded organic radical which comprises from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and which may comprise one or more nitrogen and/or oxygen atoms, R 1 may be identical or different and represents a monovalent SiC-bonded organic radical which comprises from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and which may comprise one or more nitrogen and/or oxygen atoms, Y represents a divalent to dodecavalent organic radical which comprises from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and which may comprise one or more oxygen atoms, X represents a hydrolyzable group, a is 0 or 1, b is an integer of from 1 to 11 and c is 0, 1, 2 or 3,