Easy Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe- Entertaining with Beth (2024)

byBeth Le Manach

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One of my favorite breakfast recipes on a lazy weekend morning is this Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe. It’s so easy to make and chances are you probably have most of the ingredients already on hand. A Dutch baby is a puffy pancake baked up in sizzling butter in a cast-iron skillet. But you can also bake them in cake pans or a regular oven-safe skillet. Or for savory, individual portions try my Popovers Recipe!

This recipe is also great for visiting house guests because it bakes up quickly and guests are always impressed by it! Top with fresh lemon juice, powdered sugar, and a few fresh blueberries on top.

Easy Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe- Entertaining with Beth (1)

Suggested Menu Pairings

  • Kick things off with my Christmas Morning Brunch Punch or my Healthy Breakfast Smoothies
  • For a healthy bit of protein and fruit try my Puffy Egg Bake, or my Egg Souffle
  • For a sweet finish try myBlueberry Lemon Scones or my Strawberry Lemon Muffins

Ingredients:

  • Eggs You’ll need two eggs for this recipe
  • Milk I think whole milk works a bit better. It gives the Dutch baby a bit more structure and prevents it from deflating quickly
  • Flour Regular all-purpose flour is all you need
  • Butter I use Land O’ Lakes salted butter for this recipe. I think you get the best flavor that way.
  • Vanilla Extract I prefer to use vanilla extract over sugar in this recipe, because it gives sweetness and flavor.
  • Salt to heighten the flavors
  • Lemon is squeezed on the pancake after its baked
  • Powdered Sugar sweetens the lemon juice and pairs beautifully with the blueberries
  • Blueberries are wonderful served on top, but you could also use raspberries, blackberries or strawberries too.
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How do you make Dutch baby pancakes?

  • Dutch baby pancakes are easy to put together because they only take one bowl and a whisk! No blender needed!
  • You’ll pre-heat the skillet in the oven, with the butter, and then once it’s sizzling, you’ll add the batter and close the oven door and watch as this pancake will rise over the skillet’s edge and puff up to great heights.
  • But you need to work fast since they are best enjoyed straight out of the oven. So make sure everyone is seated before you present this pancake to the table since they will deflate the longer they sit.
  • But even if they do deflate they still taste delicious!

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Step#1: Whisk up the Pancake Batter

  • To make the batter you will whisk up a simple mixture of flour, milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla extract. The melted butter will be waiting for you in a pre-heated skillet.
  • I like to start by whisking the flour and with the milk first, this is the same technique I use for my Foolproof French Crepe Recipe and it helps to prevent any lumps!
  • This also alleviates the need for using a blender! No need!
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Step#2: Melt the Butter in the Cast-Iron Skillet

  • Traditionally Dutch baby pancakes are made in cast-iron because the heat is so even and it keeps the butter sizzling while you add the batter in the next stage.
  • I like to use a 9-inch red enamel cast-iron pan for this because it’s the perfect size for a high, puffy Dutch baby. The larger the skillet (10-inches+) the thinner the pancake will be and the less puffy it will be.
  • The cast-iron also helps keep the pancake hot while it’s at the table which prevents it from cooling down too quickly, and deflating.
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Can you make a Dutch baby pancake without a cast-iron skillet?

  • Yes, you can also make a Dutch baby in a metal cake pan that is 9“. Just follow the same instructions as if it were a skillet.
  • Or you can also use an oven-safe non-stick pan as well. Just be sure the handle is not plastic.
  • Your Dutch baby will be more puffy if you use a smaller pan, 9-inches, as oppose to a larger 10-inch pan.
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Step#3: Pouring in the Batter

  • If it’s easier, you may opt to transfer the batter into a Pyrex pitcher to prevent any spills.
  • Once your batter is made, you will carefully pour it into a hot skillet, sizzling with butter, and bake until cooked through and the pancake is puffed up.
  • Once the batter is in, close the oven door and don’t open it until it’s done! Otherwise, the pancake will deflate.
  • It’s best to wait until you can see it’s really puffed up and golden brown. This can take anywhere from 18-22 minutes.
  • The more well done it is, the less eggy it will be, and the more pancake-like the texture will be. It will also hold its shape longer the longer you let it bake.
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How to Know When Your Pancake is Done?

  • Make sure the edges are really golden brown and crispy before removing the pancake from the oven.
  • This will ensure that the center is cooked through and isn’t too eggy. 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.

Step#4: Prepare the Garnishes

  • While the pancake is in the oven, prepare your garnishes and set them on the table, that way you can dive in right away once it’s done!
  • I like to offer fresh lemon wedges, powdered sugar, and fresh blueberries.
  • Also be sure the coffee is poured, and everyone is seated at the table. Since this pancake waits for no-one. It needs to be enjoyed immediately right after it comes out of the oven.

Serving Ideas:

  • I love to serve these pancakes with fresh lemon juice and powdered sugar. But you could also serve them with jam, fresh berries, and whipped cream too.
  • You can omit the vanilla extract and instead add 1 teaspoon of freshly minced dill. And serve this as a savory Dutch baby with creme fraiche, smoked salmon and capers.
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More Brunch Recipes!

  • Apple Cider Pancakes
  • Banana Pancakes with Bruleed Bananas
  • Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
  • Oat flour Pancakes with Bananas and Blueberries

Please let me know if you make this recipe

by leaving a rating and review below

Easy Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe- Entertaining with Beth (9)

Dutch Baby Pancake

Yield: 6 slices

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

One of my favorite breakfast treats on a lazy weekend morning is this Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe! And I bet you already have most of the ingredients already on-hand!

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp (45g) unsalted butter
  • ½ cup (60 g) of flour
  • ¼ tsp (1.75ml) salt
  • 1 cup (240 ml) of milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp (7g) powdered sugar to garnish
  • 1 pint fresh blueberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven to 400F (200C)
  2. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and the milk until smooth, then add the eggs, salt, and vanilla. Whisk to combine and then set aside.
  3. Place butter in an oven-safe skillet, place the skillet in the preheated oven. Watch pan closely and once butter is sizzling, pour batter into pan. Shut the door (do not open it!) and allow the pancake to bake for 18-22 mins.
  4. Remove from oven, and dust with powdered sugar, a squeeze of lemon juice and top with fresh blueberries.
  5. Cut into wedges and serve. With fresh lemon wedges (or raspberry jam)

Notes

The pancake deflates quickly! So be sure everyone is at the table before you take it out and present it!

You can make the batter the night before and then all you have to do s pour into the hot skillet and bake!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 140Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 91mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 5g

Easy Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe- Entertaining with Beth (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to use a cast iron skillet for a Dutch baby? ›

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!

Why did my Dutch baby pancake not rise? ›

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.

What's the difference between a pancake and a Dutch pancake? ›

What's the difference between a Dutch pancake and an American pancake? A Dutch pancake is usually larger and much thinner than the thick and fluffy American pancakes. If you order a Dutch pancake at PANCAKES Amsterdam, you will get a delicious thin pancake with a diameter of 32 centimeters.

What is another name for a Dutch baby pancake? ›

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 my Dutch baby stick to the pan? ›

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.

Do I really need a cast iron Dutch oven? ›

A cast-iron Dutch oven will give you better results than an Instant Pot any day,” says Lance Nitahara, an assistant professor at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. In fact, this one pot can replace your slow cooker, stock pot, pasta pot, loaf pan, and deep fryer.

Why is my Dutch baby so flat? ›

If the pancake was a little flat it is most likely that either the oven or the skillet (or other pan) was not hot enough. 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.

Why does my Dutch baby taste eggy? ›

If you would like the inside of the finished dish to be a little less "egg-y" then cut the number of eggs down to 3, and many many reviewers also found that just 3 Tablespoons of butter worked better for them.

How do I stop my Dutch baby from deflating? ›

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.

What do Southerners call pancakes? ›

Pancakes are sometimes called hoecakes in the South. Most Southerners are familiar with lacy cornbread, aka hot water cornbread. A hoecake is a rustic fried version of a pancake made with ground cornmeal.

Why are Dutch pancakes so good? ›

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.

What do British call pancakes? ›

In the UK, the word pancakes refers to the same thing, but the word flapjacks refers to something entirely different: a baked good made from oats, resembling what elsewhere may be called a granola bar or oat bar. The word flapjack is traced back to the late 1500s.

Can I use a cast iron Dutch oven instead of cast iron skillet? ›

1 Answer. It depends on what you're doing with it, but for the most part, yes. Things like giving it a shake/toss to move things around will be more difficult, unless it's one with a long handle on one side, but you can just stir instead.

Is a cast iron skillet necessary? ›

That depends on your cooking habits. For most people, cast iron pans are worth it because they don't cost much and are incredibly durable. If you don't fry, braise, roast, or slow-cook often, you probably don't need a cast iron pan.

Can you use a Dutch oven as a regular pan? ›

Again, you can use a Dutch oven to make soups and stews or to braise meat. You can also use it to bake bread, prepare sauce, cook pasta, and pretty much anything you would use another pot for, in addition to its specialty uses.

Can I use a metal pan instead of a Dutch oven? ›

A metal pot, such as a stock pot or a roasting pan, can be preheated in the oven to create a similar baking environment to a Dutch oven.

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