Dutch Baby is a large, light, and fluffy pancake cooked in the oven. Topped with lemon juice and powdered sugar, this breakfast treat is delicious.
Is there anything better for a weekend breakfast than pancakes? Not much, I’d say. And the classic Dutch Baby is one of the best and easiest pancake breakfasts I can think of.
One of our favorite breakfast treats for years has been the famous Dutch Baby pancake. I was curious why this recipe is called “Dutch Baby,” so I decided to do a little online research and found the answer on Wikipedia:
Origins of the Dutch Baby
A Dutch baby pancake, sometimes called a German pancake, a Bismarck, or a Dutch puff, is an American sweet popover that is normally served for breakfast. It is derived from the German Pfannkuchen. It is baked in a cast iron or metal pan and falls soon after being removed from the oven and is generally served with fresh squeezed lemon, butter, and powdered sugar, fruit toppings or syrup.
According to Sunset magazine, Dutch babies were introduced in the first half of the 1900s at Manca’s Cafe, a family-run restaurant that was located in Seattle, Washington. While these pancakes are derived from the German pancake dish, it is said that the name Dutch baby was coined by one of Manca’s daughters, where “Dutch” perhaps was her corruption of the German deutsch.
I like making a Dutch Baby so that I don’t have to flip pancake after pancake and everyone gets to sit down to eat at the same time. You simply make your batter, pour it over some apple slices in a cast iron skillet and pop it in the oven. 35 minutes later…voila!
The pancake is a lovely golden brown around the edges and the center is almost custard-like. It’s traditional toppings of little lemon juice and confectioner’s sugar are just perfect. Simply add a side of bacon or sausage, and enjoy a delicious breakfast!
Hot to Make a Dutch Baby Pancake
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Peel, core, and thinly slice one apple and set it aside. I used a nice, sweet Fuji apple this time.
Then add the eggs, milk, flour, 4 tablespoons melted butter, sugar, and vanilla to a blender. Mix until well blended and smooth.
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You can use a regular blender, a stick blender like I’ve shown here, or a food processor. Whatever works for you. You can even whisk it vigorously by hand if you like.
Next, melt the remaining two tablespoons of butter in a heavy, cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Then add the apple slices and stir to coat them with the butter.
Next, pour the batter evenly over the butter-coated apple slices and transfer the skillet immediately to a preheated oven. Don’t stir the batter, just pour it over the apples.
Now let the pancake cook for approximately 35 minutes or until the edges have puffed up and are a beautiful golden brown. You can see above how nicely the pancake puffs while it’s in the oven even though these weren’t the best conditions for photography. Yikes!
Finally, remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the top with lemon juice. Dust lightly with confectioner’s sugar if you’d like.
Cut the pancake into wedges and serve immediately.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
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Dutch Baby
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ⅔ cup flour
- 6 tablespoons butter divided
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 apple or pear peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Add the eggs, milk, flour, 4 tablespoons melted butter, sugar, and vanilla to a blender. Blend until well mixed.
- Melt the remaining two tablespoons of butter in a heavy, cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the apple slices and stir to coat with the butter.
- Pour in the batter and transfer immediately to preheated oven.
- Cook for approximately 35 minutes or until edges have puffed up and are golden brown.
- Remove from oven. Sprinkle with lemon juice and dust with confectioner’s sugar. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
I actually normally leave them plain. I haven’t tried it with fruit just yet. I have to try it one time.
You surely made me hungry and motivated to make that for breakfast tomorrow.
I am going make this..looks like a great easy delicious alternative to pancakes. I think it would good with other fruits …strawberries blueberries peaches what ever is in season…thanks
I love this! I learned of Dutch Babies when I was a little girl and it was one on the first recipes I learned. My mother had measurements for the the different sizes you could make depending on the number you were feeding. I never baked apples into the pancake but w9ould serve them along the side. Great post and now I kind of want to make a Dutch Baby! It’s been years!
Fabulous looking. I think this would be excellent in the fall season, when apples and a touch of cinnamon remind us of times gone by.
However, you are welcome to make it for me any season of the year.
Miss P
Beautiful. And congratulations on a feature picture on Refrigerator Soup! Great photo!
this is a great morning pancake, love the idea … could almost be a dessert….
You’re right, Drick, it certainly could be dessert. Top with whipped cream instead of powdered sugar. Or eat it still hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This is so awesome looking! Beautiful!
You mean I’m supposed to share that? I can’t eat a whole one just myself? ;)
This looks so good! I have only tried to make something like this once and failed. I really think I should try again!
This recipe really never fails for me. Sometimes the center is semi-soft almost custardlike but that’s just fine with me!
You know i’ve been wanting to try and make myself a dutch baby. I recently had just gotten a small six inch cast iron skillet and I’m trying to thing of other dishes I can make aside from eggs.
Jenn – I made this in a 10″ skillet so you might want to adjust your amounts for a smaller pan.
This looks splendid, Lana, and I can’t wait to try this on my normal waffle/pancake/French toast day of Sunday. Just a wonderful looking recipe, although I do find myself wondering about the strange “Dutch Baby” name.
Anne – Yes, this would definitely also serve as dessert! I think even a little ice cream alongside would be great.
Barbara – I do hope you’ll try it and find that you like it. It seems that the name was given it by the original restaurant owner’s daughter.
I make this pancake for a fun dessert! Whatever my mood is…sometimes I’ll sprinkle a little powdered sugar over top, or add some whipped cream, even maple syrup is yummy! Will have to try it with apples next time!
Wow! That looks great! I’ve eaten these but never ever tried to make one myself! Ok, here’s my prediction..this is going to make top 10, you heard it here first.
Thanks, Kathy! I hope you’ll try making one yourself. It really couldn’t be easier.
This looks scrumptious! Making it this weekend for the little one!
Kay – He’s sure to like it! It’s not overly sweet. You can also use pears if you prefer.