Dutch Baby German Pancake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why didn t my German pancake puff up? ›

There are two main culprits to flat, sad Dutch baby pancakes: Your oven wasn't hot enough. The hotter your oven, the more puffed your Dutch baby pancake will be. Make sure to preheat the oven for at least 10 minutes before baking the batter.

How are German Pancakes different than American Pancakes? German pancakes use a whole lot more eggs and no added leavening agent. German Pancakes are also baked in the oven to a golden perfection.

What are German Pancakes? German pancakes, often called Dutch Baby pancakes are baked pancakes made from eggs, milk, flour and vanilla. The pancakes are baked in a metal or cast iron pan, puff up in the oven and then fall as they cool.

The pan doesn't have to be cast iron; you can use any oven-safe pan or baking dish of a similar size. I've even done them in a pie dish!

Making pancake and waffle batter ahead of time is a huge no-no and will lead to flat, dense results every time. Even letting your batter hang out for just a few minutes after you've mixed it before you start ladling it onto the griddle will lead to less fluffy results.

Assuring doneness will also prevent it from deflating too quickly. The longer you let it bake 20-22 minutes the puffier and more stable the Dutch baby will be.

France – Crêpes

You can't possibly make a list of the world's best pancakes and not include France. Crêpes are unavoidable throughout the country. There are two main types of French crêpes – sweet ones (crêpes sucrées) and savoury ones (crêpes salées). Savoury crêpes are commonly known as 'galettes'.

A latke (Yiddish: לאַטקע latke; sometimes romanized latka, lit. "pancake") is a type of potato pancake or fritter in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine that is traditionally prepared to celebrate Hanukkah.

Dutch pancakes are traditional and worldwide famous, and there is a reason for that. They come with a topping of your choice or just plain. And it is the topping that makes the pancakes in a pancake restaurant so special.

A Dutch baby pancake, sometimes called a German pancake, a Bismarck, a Dutch puff, Hooligan, or a Hootenanny, is a dish that is similar to a large Yorkshire pudding.

Why does a German pancake puff up? ›

Like popovers and Yorkshire pudding, the thing that gives Dutch babies their signature puff is steam. In order for that steam to work the pancake into its signature peaks and valleys, you need two things: enough air in a well-developed batter and a piping-hot pan and oven.

In Germany, Pfannkuchen are often served as a meal for breakfast or lunch and sometimes even dinner.

The high oven heat causes the batter to puff up, and it naturally deflates once removed from the heat. How do I prevent the pancake from sticking to the skillet? Make sure your skillet is well greased with butter or oil, and it's adequately heated before pouring in the batter.

The magic that makes that Dutch baby pancake rise to its signature heights is simple: Steam! The combination of air that's whipped into the eggs when you mix the batter and the super hot cast-iron skillet (and oven) create the conditions needed for the lift we love.

Though “Dutch baby” is a frequently used moniker when referring to this giant pancake, it has also been referred to as a German pancake, a puffed pancake, a baked pancake, a Bismarck and even a giant Yorkshire pudding due to its resemblance.

Overmixing the batter can cause the gluten in the flour to overdevelop, leading to a dense pancake. Batter Not At Room Temperature: Ingredients that are not at room temperature can cause the batter to be too dense. Make sure all ingredients, including the eggs and milk, are at room temperature before making the batter.

How you handle the batter makes a difference. If you beat it until it is smooth, your pancakes won't be as fluffy. Pancake batter should be mixed until it still has a few lumps in it. Then it needs to stand for about 15 minutes, to ensure that the flour is fully hydrated.

It is normal for the pancake to get really puffy while cooking, and then quickly deflate once it's removed from the oven. Don't be frustrated, this is exactly what's supposed to happen! Mix things up and try adding about a cup of fresh fruit over the top of the pancake batter, before it goes into the oven.