Inspiration and ideas can strike anytime. In my case, it’s mostly related to food. I was winding down one night with some random rubbish on television and all I could think of was a huge serving of Dutch apple pancake. If you have never had a Dutch baby pancake or even heard of it, you are really missing out.
It’s been a while since I used the oven. I just love our ugly, humongous, builder-grade oven! That guy has been a major driving force behind my culinary pursuits. I decided right then, I’ll start off things again by baking a Dutch baby pancake. The name is very misleading, as there is nothing baby-ish about this pancake. It is one huge pancake baked in a skillet or baking dish, cut and served as you would a pie.
I took one look at the contents of our fridge and decided to improvise slightly. The apples would have to wait. There was a tub of strawberries staring accusingly at me. One more day, and they would be mush. The best way to use them up would be to macerate them or make a syrup or caramelize them. Now, how about a plain Dutch baby pancake topped with caramelized strawberries and dusted lightly with powdered sugar? Yum!
Whenever I make regular (read American) pancakes, they always end up slightly chewy. I don’t mind that really, as I am more of a crepe person. A Dutch baby is somewhere in between. It puffs up beautifully in the oven, and deflates just as quickly once out of it. But let that not deter you one bit. That is how it works.
This is a very eggy pancake (and there really is no substitution possible). Since there are no leavening agents, the pancake rises solely because of the fat in the eggs.
I have tried different recipes that use anywhere between 2-4 eggs for a 9 inch pancake. This time I used 4. It did add some extra bulk to the middle. I would say that 3 small to medium eggs are a good bet.
Let’s get on with how-to, shall we?
CARAMELIZED STRAWBERRIES
You will need:
- Strawberries – around a pound, very ripe
- Sugar – 2-3 tbsp (depends on the sweetness of the berries)
- Water – 1 tbsp
- Lemon juice – a tiny squeeze
- Vanilla extract – 1/4 tsp
How to:
- Cut the washed and hulled strawberries into halves or quarters. Keep aside.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to a large skillet and heat on medium heat. The sugar will dissolve and start to bubble.
- Now add the strawberries, preferably in a single layer, and cook till they become soft. The berries will release some liquid too. Turn them over once, increase the heat and reduce the liquid slightly, till it becomes glossy and gooey.
Look at those gorgeous berries!
DUTCH BABY PANCAKE
You will need:
- Butter – 2 tbsp
- Eggs – 3, medium
- Milk – 2/3 cup
- Sugar – 2 tbsp
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- All purpose flour – 2/3 cup
How to:
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 deg.F.
- Place the butter in an 8 or 9 inch oven-proof skillet or baking dish and place it in the oven while you prep the batter.
- For the batter, whisk the eggs and milk till frothy. Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk well till there are no lumps. You could also use a blender to do this.
- Take out the baking dish from the oven. Swirl the melted butter to coat the dish evenly on the bottom and sides. Pour the batter in it and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- The pancake will be beautifully risen. Add the caramelized berries and dust some powdered sugar on top, and serve immediately.
Notes:
- You can bake a Dutch baby with fruit added in the pan. Just line the bottom of the pan with the chopped fruit and a little sugar, and pour the batter right on top. Think apples, peaches, pears, and all sorts of berries. Doesn’t get better than that, I tell ya!
Make this for your weekend breakfast/brunch or eat it along with your evening tea/coffee or even as dinner. Everyone loves breakfast for dinner, right?
So, tell me, have you tried Dutch baby pancakes yet? Are you a crepe or pancake person? Do share.
If you like what you see, please follow my blog via Email (button on the right), Facebook, Pinterest or Bloglovin’, or maybe even all four!!!
I am linking this up to parties at these awesome blogs.
- C.R.A.F.T
- A Blossoming Life
- Skip To My Lou
- The Dedicated House
- Between Naps on the Porch
- Better With Age
- Home Stories A To Z
- My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
- A Stroll Thru Life
- Cedar Hill Ranch
- Coastal Charm
- Elizabeth & Co
- House On The Way
- Savvy Southern Style
- The NY Melrose Family
- Living Well Spending Less
- Design Dining and Diapers
- The Shabby Nest
- French Country Cottage
- Common Ground
- My Romantic Home
- The Charm of Home
- Thirty Handmade Days
- Crafts a la Mode
- Love of Family and Home
- Tatertots and Jello
- DIY Show Off
- Nifty Thrifty Things
- By Stephanie Lynn
Love your recipes, but, how do I print them out??
Thank you, Vivian! I am sorry there is no print button currently. You can always bookmark or pin the recipes for later.
Looks sooo good, especially with those caramelized strawberries! Would make a perfect Sunday brunch!
Absolutely! Glad you visited!!
My oatmeal breakfast looks very lame already! Quick question: You used the word eggy, did you find yours eggy tasting? I made them once and I found them to be unpleasantly eggy and don’t know if I had done something wrong
They are somewhat eggy tasting, but I didn’t find it unpleasant. Maybe because we like eggs! I bake it with apples too, those turn out less “eggy”.
That looks really good!
Thank you, Sherry. Appreciate it!
It looks beautiful and delicious! Thanks for linking up with “Try a New Recipe Tuesday.” Hope you can join us again this week. http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2014/04/try-new-recipe-tuesday-april-22.html
Thanks Lisa!
We make this all the time without the strawberries. The strawberries look so good on it-we will have to try!
Oh, please do. We love strawberries!
This looks so lovely and delicious. I have yet to make a dutch baby, but it is on my extensive list of things to make for my blog. Stopping over from Pint Sized Baker link party. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for visiting. Appreciate it!
This looks delicious, and easy! I like pancakes but am picky, they have to be super soft not rubbery or chewy at all, I like when they just melt in the mouth which oddly enough is kind of a challenge when making pancakes, this looks like a great alternative. What a great spring breakfast item 🙂
I know what you mean about perfecting pancakes. This is an interesting alternative. So easy to make, yet looks like you put in a lot of work!
So pretty! I’ve never heard of these, but if it tastes half as good as it looks… yum!
Thank you. These pancakes are an absolute delight to make and eat. No more flipping! Do try it!!
Oh my goodness, this sounds delicious. I would love for you to link up to my Inspire Me party that just started. http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2014/04/211th-inspire-me-tuesday.html Hope to see you there.
Thanks for visiting, Marty. It sure was delish!
Thanks for the invite as well.
Gorgeous one this!! I will probably never be able to make this(coz of the eggs), but I enjoy your pictures immensely 🙂
Thank you, Namrata!
Yummy…this looks inviting! Lovely photos to tempt and it sounds delicious!
Thank you, Nancy. It sure was delish!
Please….
Aww…
send me some over my friend
If only you lived nearer, you could’ve popped over anytime, sweetie 🙂
Oooh that would be sooo nice x
Its the weekend and I know you love eggs. Go on and try it, Dimple!
Yes…That is true…I will get all the ingredients together!
It looks absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you, Aruna!