German pancakes are my ultimate desert island brunch. Meaning, if I were stuck on a desert island and could only have one brunch food for the rest of my life, this would be it. Actually, that sounds like a pretty awesome island, one I’d like to visit ASAP.
This is one of those recipes that came from somewhere… from a family friend or a dog-eared cookbook or a pack of sample recipes encouraging you to subscribe for more (only 12 easy payments of $42.99!) But whatever its origins, the recipe made its way onto an index card in my mom’s recipe binder and quickly became one of our most used and loved and vanilla-stained. I’ve tried other German pancake recipes over the years, and yet I keep coming back to this one, my tried and true, the recipe that’s so simple you’ll have it memorized in no time.
Of course, once you’ve memorized the classic version might I suggest expanding your horizons and trying out some tempting variations like chocolate pear, pumpkin spice, or apple (Not long ago I realized that while I’ve posted multiple variations on my favorite recipe over the years, I had never actually posted the classic. And for that oversight I am truly sorry. One bite and you’ll forgive me, I promise!)
In all the years I’ve been making this recipe, the only change I’ve made to the original is to prepare the batter in a blender, a trick I learned in my crepe-making experimentation that results in a perfectly smooth and easy-to-pour batter (and since you’re pouring the batter into a sizzling hot pan, that’s a game changer in my opinion).
The trick to more mountainous pancakes is to swirl as you pour, the places where the batter and the hot butter meet are where you’ll get those luxurious puffs. So as opposed to just pouring your batter right in the middle of the pan, pour it in a spiral or squiggle from the outside in to better let the batter intermingle with that glorious butter. Just pretend you’re making latte art or something.
If you’ve never had a German pancake (also called a Dutch baby pancake and not unlike a sweet Yorkshire pudding), think of it as falling somewhere in between a pancake and an omelet, with undertones of French toast. It’s eggier than your typical pancake, but sweeter and lighter than an omelet, with more pastry-like characteristics. The peaks turn golden and crispy, while the valleys collect streams of butter and maple syrup for a brunch-scape that’s truly perfection.
The fact that the ingredients are so simple means you’ll almost always have them on hand. Never again will brunch be ruined by a poorly-planned grocery list and sadly forgotten bacon or potatoes. All you need for this is milk, eggs, flour, and butter, with a pinch of salt and a splash of vanilla for good measure.
This recipe will yield one 13-by-9-inch baking pan full of buttery, brunchy goodness. It’s a generous 4 servings, although I’ve been known to consume almost half a pan all by myself. Or if you served it with potatoes or sausage or bacon, you could probably stretch it to 6 (though don’t be surprised when it disappears before your very eyes).
Now, about that brunch-filled island…
Yield: 4 servings
German Pancakes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 mintues
Total Time: 30 minutes
Towering mountains of buttery, eggy goodness make this easy-to-prepare brunch recipe a treat indeed.
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Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions:
- Combine milk, flour, eggs, vanilla, and salt in a blender and mix on low speed until smooth (you can also mix by hand with a whisk until mostly smooth, a few small lumps may remain but that’s ok).
- Spray a 13×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Position oven rack in bottom 1/3 of oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. When oven is almost preheated, place butter in prepared baking pan and place in oven until butter is hot and sizzling. Carefully pour the batter into the hot pan (one reason I love making the batter in the blender: easy pouring. Otherwise, it may be easier to remove the pan from the oven, pour in the batter, then put it back in the oven).
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and fluffy.
- Slice and serve hot with maple syrup and powdered sugar.
All images and text ©Lindsay Landis / Love & Olive Oil
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FAQs
Not an ingredient you usually think of when it comes to pancakes. I discovered this trick years ago while developing a healthier pancake recipe and have never gone back. An olive oil-based pancake is tender and moist. The perfect combination!
Why are my German pancakes not fluffy? ›
If the pan isn't hot enough then the liquid does not heat up and create the steam quickly enough and so the flour will cook through and set before the pancake can rise. We suggest that you give the oven and skillet plenty of time to heat up thoroughly before adding the batter.
Can you grease a pan with olive oil for pancakes? ›
Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle pan over medium heat. Be patient and let the pan come up to temperature fully. Rub a little butter or olive oil on the skillet with a paper towel if necessary (a good nonstick pan will barely need any greasing at all).
Why do you put oil in pancakes? ›
"This also allows the pancakes to get an even color and cook all the way through without burning." The key is to use an oil with a neutral flavor, like vegetable oil, and use it sparingly, so the pancakes maintain a nice texture and aren't too hard on either side.
Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil to make pancakes? ›
Olive oil is an extremely versatile type of cooking oil and can be used for anything from baking to frying to sautéing. When recipes call for the use of either butter or any other type of refined oil, such as vegetable oil, we highly recommend substituting this for olive oil instead.
Is it okay to use olive oil instead of vegetable oil for pancakes? ›
Be it a dessert or a healthy breakfast, Pancakes do have oil in them. Using a healthier oil in preparing/ cooking them can give a nutritious boost to your pancakes. Olive oil is a great alternative because it is high in healthy fats that can lower your risk of heart diseases.
What makes a German pancake rise? ›
In particular this butter is super important for cooking the center of the German or Dutch Baby Pancakes. The steam created from the butter and eggs heating up is what gives your pancake everything it needs to rise up and get all puffy.
Why is my German pancake dense? ›
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.
What happens if you add extra eggs to pancake batter? ›
Eggs also give the batter additional, richer flavor from the yolk fat. If you add too many eggs, you'll have “pancakes” that look more like custard or crepes. When you don't add enough eggs, the cakes will be drier and tougher.
Is olive oil healthier than butter? ›
Though butter does have nutritional value, olive oil might be the better choice. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, liquid fats like olive oil are rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, while butter has more saturated fats.
Usually, olive oil is best used as a substitute for butter in baking recipes that call specifically for liquid butter. In these cases, olive oil should be substituted for butter in a 3:4 ratio by volume. So if the recipe calls for one cup of butter, then you would use ¾ cup of olive oil.
How much oil for 1 cup of butter? ›
Butter to Oil Conversion
| BUTTER/MARGARINE | OLIVE OIL |
|---|
| 1/2 Cup | 1/4 Cup + 2 Tablespoons |
| 2/3 Cup | 1/2 Cup |
| 3/4 Cup | 1/2 Cup + 1 Tablespoon |
| 1 Cup | 3/4 Cup |
5 more rowsThe idea behind the first pancake rule is that it's okay if the first one doesn't turn out perfectly; it's a practice round for getting the cooking conditions just right. Once you've made the necessary adjustments, the subsequent pancakes are expected to turn out fantastic.
Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil? ›
Olive oil is ideal for most salad dressings, especially if you're using flavor-forward extra virgin olive oil. It's the best base for an easy vinaigrette because it's naturally flavorful. If your recipe calls for vegetable oil, you should be able to swap in equal parts of olive oil without any problem.
What can replace butter in pancakes? ›
WHAT ARE BUTTER ALTERNATIVES FOR BAKING?
- MARGARINE. Margarine is a fat that is made mostly from vegetable oil that's flavored to taste like butter. ...
- SHORTENING. Shortening is 100% fat, made from hydrogenated vegetable oils. ...
- OLIVE OIL & VEGETABLE OIL. ...
- COCONUT OIL. ...
- PUMPKIN PURÉE. ...
- APPLESAUCE. ...
- GREEK YOGURT. ...
- BANANAS.
In recipes calling for melted butter like muffins, quick breads, or pancakes, try substituting an equal amount of vegetable oil or melted coconut oil. Vegetable-based oils add moisture and tenderness. And coconut oil, while dairy-free, is also solid at room temperature, so it will act similarly to butter.
Can you use olive oil as a substitute for butter? ›
Usually, olive oil is best used as a substitute for butter in baking recipes that call specifically for liquid butter. In these cases, olive oil should be substituted for butter in a 3:4 ratio by volume. So if the recipe calls for one cup of butter, then you would use ¾ cup of olive oil.
