I love German Pancakes also known as Dutch Baby Pancakes or Dutch Babies. They are light, eggy, and oh so yummy. I love how they puff up in the oven. And they are super easy to make!
German pancakes or Dutch babies are essentially a large American popover. It is very similar to a Yorkshire pudding. Instead of being cooked on a pan like a traditional crepe or pancake, these are baked in the oven.
It also contains no baking soda or baking powder. The leavening comes from the eggs. While not truly a German pancake we still call it that here in the States! These are one of the first things I learned how to make way back in my 8th-grade cooking class.
Serve them with syrup, lemon juice, powdered sugar, or any number of other toppings. If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get baking!
Step 1: Gather the ingredients and tools
In order to make German pancakes or Dutch Babies you need just a few simple ingredients:
- Butter – This will coat the pan and cover the outside of the pancake as it puffs up.
- Eggs – The eggs are the reason these puff up. Since there is no baking soda or baking powder in the batter. Also, they are meant to have a slightly eggy taste to them.
- Milk – I generally like to use whole milk but other milk can be used as well.
- Flour – I always use all-purpose flour also known as plain flour.
- Salt – The salt will enhance the other ingredients.
- Sugar – White granulated sugar is an optional ingredient to make the German pancakes a bit sweeter.
- Vanilla Extract – The vanilla extract will add flavor and enhance the flavors of the other ingredients. It is an optional ingredient along with the sugar.
Tools
- Whisk or blender or hand mixer
- 9×13″ baking pan or cast iron skillet which is used often
- Large Bowl
Step 2: How to make German Pancakes or Dutch Babies
Begin by preheating the oven to 400 F/204 C. Add the eggs to a large bowl along with the milk, sugar, and vanilla extract if you are using those optional ingredients.
Whisk them all together until well combined. Alternatively, you could also do it in a blender, or use a hand mixer.
Then combine the salt and the flour together in a small bowl. Next add that dry ingredients to the batter. Again whisking until well combined. It will be runny and will resemble crepe batter.
Step 3: Melt that butter
Add the butter to the baking pan or cast iron skillet. Place the pan or skillet in the oven and allow the butter to melt. It will only take a minute or so. Remove the hot pan with an oven mitt. Tilt the pan to make sure the whole bottom is coated with butter. A cast iron skillet is the classic authentic pan for German pancakes or dutch babies, but I always use my 13×9 pan.
Step 4: Bake those German pancakes
Now pour all the batter in the hot pan at once. Then place it in the oven and let it bake for 20 to 22 minutes until the sides puff up and get nice and golden brown.
Allow it to cool for a few minutes. Then serve it with whatever toppings that you like. Some of my favorites are butter, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and strawberries. Super easy right? Enjoy! This makes about 4 medium servings, but I normally eat half of it myself haha.
German Pancakes (Dutch Babies)
Equipment
- Whisk or blender or hand mixer
- 9×13″ baking pan or Cast Iron Skillet
- Large bowl
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup of milk 1%, 2%, Whole (240ml)
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour 120g
- 2 Tbsp. of butter 28g
- 1/2 tsp. of salt 2g
- 1 Tbsp. of granulated sugar optional (12.5g)
- 1 tsp. of vanilla extract optional (5ml)
Instructions
- Begin by preheating the oven to 400 F/205 C. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs and the milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. You can use a blender or hand mixer too if you like.
- In a separate bowl combine the salt and flour. Then add them to the large bowl with the wet ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Add the butter to the pan or cast-iron skillet and place it in the oven on the middle rack. Allow the butter to melt, this will take 30 to 45 seconds. Then remove the hot pan with an oven mitt. Tilt the pan as needed to cover the bottom completely with melted butter.
- Pour the German pancake batter into the pan all at once. Then place it in the oven and bake it for 20 to 22 minutes until the sides creep up the edges and get nice and golden brown. Remove it from the pan and cut it how you like. Serve it warm with your favorite toppings like powdered sugar, maple syrup, fruit, etc. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Do you like this recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.
Here are a few more recipes you may like:
Hello from Idaho! Just wanted to say hello and to let all know I made this with a gluten free flour, bob’s 1 on 1, and they too came out Fab-2-the-Lous, ThanQ matt, Dez
So awesome to hear that, Dez!! 🙂 🙂 And you are very welcome!
Is the batter supposed to be so thick? I thought german pancake batter was alot thinner. I just want to make sure I m doing it right .
No, it shouldn’t be super thick. Double-check your measurements. You can also add a little bit more milk to thin the batter out a little bit.
Aaaahhhhh….there is some relief in using any kind of milk I wish to. I can actually try these.
Indeed!! 🙂
I was thinking of a different cake to try out. Today evening I’ll try it.
Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Thanks for sharing the recipe and never heard of the German Pancake before. Would love to try it in the future at home. – Knycx Journeying
You are welcome! 🙂
i LOVE a dutch baby!!!! yummmmmy. in our household we use a castiron skillet to bake it in. does using the pan make a big difference?
I don’t think it makes a huge difference. But if you have a cast-iron skillet use it! Most people don’t have one, so I didn’t use it in the video and recipe. 🙂 Plus I grew up doing it in a normal baking pan. But either way! 🙂
Never seen pancakes like those but I definitely need to try them. Great recipe for our quarantine, we’re trying to add new food to our repertoire.
Yes, definitely try them sometime! 🙂 🙂
Would love to try this out with almond flour… have you done this? What is outcome? Thx!
I haven’t tried it with almond flour. Give it a try and see! 🙂
Working from home due to COVID-19 for one week now and am trying out recipes between my work schedule. I think I will try the pancakes, looks good and attractive. Please share more recipes.
Thanks, will do! Stay healthy and safe. 🙂
As a german i have to say, this is not a german pancake. It looks really good though.
Hello, just like French Fries aren’t French, these are indeed German Pancakes. That is the name we call them here in the United States. They go by either Dutch Babies or German Pancakes. You can read all about it here if you like: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_baby_pancake These didn’t originate in Germany, they originated here in the United States, but are indeed called German Pancakes. 🙂 Remember there are many many German settlers that came to the US many years ago.
This German pancake seems like a very easy recipe to do. Will try to make it over this weekend..
Awesome, good luck! 🙂
I’ve never heard about this kind of Pancakes before. I would like to try this recipe now that we are in quarantine.
Definitely give them a try sometime! 🙂 Stay safe and healthy. 🙂
I LOVE German pancakes! I make them at least every month or so. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
So awesome, Kathy!! 🙂 🙂
German pancakes are so fun to make with kids! Perfect weekend breakfast!
Agreed! 🙂
These pancakes were really delicious! My kids loved it.
Thanks, Toni! 🙂
These were fantastic! I went with a topping of powdered sugar and fresh strawberries and it was so good!
Thank you, Stephanie!