Best Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe
This is the Best Dutch Baby Pancake recipe! Sweet, tender, perfectly puffed German Pancakes are topped with berries and whipped cream. Even the picky husband gave it rave reviews!
Also known as an Oven Pancake, Puffed Pancake, or German Pancake, this breakfast treat has the texture of a Yorkshire Pudding and is impossible to resist.
Why You Must Make
My mom discovered the Dutch Baby Pancake after I went to college. My lucky sisters were treated to this German pancake topped with powdered sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice. My mom called this puffed pancake a “Pancake Man,” though a quick Google search returned absolutely no hits. Maybe it was dubbed this by my siblings or was a regional term.
- This pancake has been around for over a century with German roots!
- It’s a super fun presentation with the pancake puffing up as it cooks, then collapsing.
- There are numerous ways to serve it. Whether you’re a butter and maple syrup lover or a fan of berries and powdered sugar, there’s a perfect topping for your taste buds.
No matter what name you use, this Dutch baby pancake recipe is delicious! The hubby loved this with powdered sugar, fresh raspberries, and some sweetened whipped cream.
How to Make
There were a few tricks I’ve learned to ensure a marvelous result.
- PRO-Tip: First of all, preheat your cast iron skillet while you heat up your oven. This will help the pancake inflate even more as the batter hits the hot pan.
- PRO-Tip: Once your batter is mixed, pop it in the refrigerator for an hour or so to let the gluten rest, so that your finished product is nice and tender.
- Place butter into the preheated pan, watching carefully so it doesn’t burn. When it’s almost melted, swirl the butter around to coat the bottom of the skillet, then pour in the batter.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until puffed and golden, then reduce the heat bake for 5 more minutes.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar to serve wedges with berries, whipped cream, maple syrup, cinnamon sugar, or any of your favorite pancake toppings.
From what I recall, the hubby wasn’t a huge puffed pancake fan the last time I made them. Maybe it was the whipped cream and berries this time or maybe it was my tweaked recipe. No matter, I’m thrilled he is a convert. Now I can serve this wonderful Dutch Baby Pancake the next time we have overnight company!
Expert Tips
- Have your milk and eggs at room temperature before making the batter.
- The batter is blended and must be chilled for at least an hour.
- PRO-Tip: Make the batter the night before and keep it covered and chilled until you’re ready to use it the next morning. Give it a quick stir if needed before using, but don’t reblend.
- The keys to success are having a hot oven and a hot pan. This enables a good rise of the pancake.
- Use a heavy, cast iron pan for the best results.
- If making for a holiday or company, offer a big assortment of toppings to make it festive!
Frequently Asked Questions
A Dutch Baby Pancake is a German pancake recipe that’s similar to a large popover or Yorkshire pudding. It puffs as it bakes, then collapses forming an eggy custardy base with crisp edges.
It’s served for breakfast or brunch. A sweet version is the most common, but there are savory recipes as well.
The whole eggs along with the gluten in the flour work together to help “puff” the pancake. The rising continues as the chilled batter hits the preheated pan, then the hot oven.
They are the same thing. As mentioned above, there are numerous names for this pancake depending on where you live.
The Dutch baby pancake does not have any ties to the Netherlands but instead is German. In the early 1900s, a Seattle restauranteur, Victor Manca, put a German pancake, Pfannkuchen, on his menu.
One of the best guesses is that the owner’s daughter, meaning say “Deutsch (German)” pancake, called it a Dutch pancake. Manca’s Cafe claimed to have trademarked the name in 1942.
Besides powdered sugar and berries or plain old maple syrup, there are many other toppings that are delicious on these pancakes.
Serve your pancake warm with your favorite toppings. Some other options are sugar and a squeeze of lemon, lemon curd, jams or preserves, or cinnamon sugar.
Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, but this pancake tastes best freshly baked. Just gently reheat in the microwave before serving.
You May Also Like
Whether for Mother’s Day, Easter, or overnight guests, everyone loves a terrific brunch recipe.
- Asparagus & Pancetta Frittata from The Chef Next Door
- Spinach Bell Pepper Frittata
- Chunky Maple Coconut Granola
- Strawberry Mascarpone Stuffed French Toast
- Cranberry Apple Bread
- Breakfast Burritos
- Breakfast Sliders
- More of my Breakfast Recipes
- More of my Brunch Recipes
Best Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe
A puffy pancake that makes a fabulous brunch entree!
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter, cut into 3-4 pieces
- Powdered sugar, raspberries, sweetened whipped cream or maple syrup to serve
Instructions
- Combine eggs, flour, milk, sugar and vanilla in your blender. Blend until smooth. Let rest in the refrigerator for one hour if you have time.
- Preheat oven to 425º. Place a 10 inch cast iron skillet into the oven.
- Place butter into the pan, watching carefully so it doesn't burn. When almost melted, swirl the butter around, then pour in the batter.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until puffed and golden. Reduce oven to 300º and bake 5 more minutes.
- Remove from oven, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cut into wedges. Sprinkle each piece with berries and a dollop of whipped cream or with maple syrup, if desired.
Notes
Total time doesn't include chilling time.
Calorie count does not include toppings.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
3Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 537Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 232mgSodium: 213mgCarbohydrates: 76gFiber: 1gSugar: 58gProtein: 10g
41 Comments on “Best Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe”
This is total comfort food for me. I’d forgotten about the glorious Dutch baby. Thank you for sharing!
This looks absolutely to die for. Don’t you add cinnamon to it, like an ordinary pancake?
I never have, Amanda, but I don’t use cinnamon in regular pancakes, either. You can sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar after it’s baked. Hope you give it a try!
Made this the past weekend and it was a huge hit with my family!
My mother loves it when I make this for her!
Delicious! Nothing better than a good dutch baby pancake! Thanks for the great recipe!
I know what I’m going to have for a breakfast. Nice
Too bad you missed out on it then….but now your culinary expertise makes every day special. 🙂
Carboholics unite this is going to be great!!!!
You know I like making Dutch Babies but, as you suggested, they are “twicky” which is humorous because those Babies seem so simple. I’ve made Melissa Clark’s version from her newest cook book. The first time, perfect and delicious; the second time, it blew up to a puff mushroom and was no good at all. Cannot figure it out. But, I appreciated your tips, especially letting it sit for 2 hours or so.
What a seriously beautiful pancake I’d love to have a slice for brunch.
I love my sweet rolls for brunch, but a good eggs Benedict is right there. Who do I like to brunch with? My little family, of course, and especially if Stephie and Alex are cooking.
I like a great frittata!!
Oh I love having brunch with our family! I love having the pancakes and french toast!
We love baked eggs for brunch or eggs benny. Any egg dish really! ha! I love to brunch with my sweetheart.
I love dutch baby pancakes~! Thank you for posting this and adding tips too~! You always share such good things.
Thanks~!
Dutch baby is a favorite
I love this Dutch baby, Liz! Such a perfect brunch idea!
Wow, your Dutch baby pancake looks so pretty and perfect! I would love to have this for a brunch.
Thanks for the recipe and tips. By the way…great sponsors for the giveaway!
Have a fantastic week Liz 🙂
My favorite brunch food is eggs benedict and my favorite people to brunch with is my family.
I like the thinness of your Dutch baby. I am going to try this, the others I have eaten are too thick.