Whether you refer to this as a Dutch Baby, German Pancake, Puff Pancake it doesn’t matter. They are all the same thing. A Puff Pancake is essentially a sweet Pop-Over normally served for breakfast. Derived from the German Pfannkuchen made of eggs, flour, sugar and milk. The term Dutch Pancake comes from a group of German American immigrants known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. Where Dutch is a mispronunciation of the German Deutsch. Viola! Dutch Pancake.
Basic Dutch Baby
½ cup Butter
6 eggs
1 ½ cup Milk
1 ½ cup Flour
Put the butter in the pan and set it into a preheated 425° oven middle rack. Mix batter while butter melts. Put the eggs and in a blender run on high for 30 seconds. While motor is running pour the flour through the lid and blend for another 30 seconds.
Pull out the pan and swirl the butter around, pour in the batter and put it back in the oven. Cook for 30-40 minutes. Your pancake should be puffed and browned nicely, crisp on the edges.
Warning: This pancake will rise up the sides and be gigantic, it is amazing! However, it does deflate quickly. So for the best effect have your guests at the table then bring it straight from the oven to the table. Slice like a pizza and enjoy.
Serve with powdered sugar and lemon juice (classic), or whipped cream, jam and or syrup.
Variations:
Sweet: Instead of putting the pan in the oven to melt the butter put it on the stove. Medium High heat, add sliced fruit such as nectarines, peaches, apples, pears cook in the butter. Sprinkle a little brown sugar on top to help caramelize. Once cooked, arrange in a nice spiral pattern and pour in your batter. If you are going to add berries do it after the batter has been poured in, if you cook the blueberries first it will look like you have murdered Barny the Dinosaur. Then cook as directed above.
Savory: Think Brunch or Dinner - Instead of putting the pan in the oven to melt the butter put it on the stove. Medium High heat, add sliced bacon, sausage, potatoes, onions, peppers asparagus etc. Once cooked pour in the batter and cook as directed.
Notes on a cooking vessel: We use a Paella Pan, that is literally 15” across. Can be picked up pretty cheap say around $20. Traditionally they would be cooked in a Cast Iron pan. Don’t be afraid to put them in a muffin pan or pop-over pan, remkin or whatever you want to cook it in.
Enjoy!
J.Jones
