German Pancakes Recipe (Dutch Baby Pancakes) (2024)

Light and buttery, Dutch baby German pancakes are extremely easy to make, and their cooking is hassle-free. Put them in the oven and enjoy them 15 minutes later!

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German Pancakes Recipe (Dutch Baby Pancakes) (1)

Plus, no added sugar! These oven pancakes might not contain any sugar, but they definitely are rich in flavor, thanks to the butter they are cooked in.

Whether you make them for breakfast, brunch or as a dessert they will always be a hit at your table.

In this post, you will find useful tips, FAQ’s as well as dietary information.

What is a German pancake?

Often called Dutch baby or hootenanny, this skillet pancake is oven-baked and looks like a large version of a Yorkshire pudding or American popovers.

German Pancakes Recipe (Dutch Baby Pancakes) (2)

Expert tips for making German pancakes

  • Vanilla extract or cinnamon are optional batter add-ons.
  • This pancake batter is made with no sugar for a simple reason: the added sweetness is not needed as you will more likely be serving your Dutch baby pancake with sweet toppings that will balance it off. I guarantee you won’t even notice there is no sugar at all!
  • a 10-inch/25-centimeters pan/skillet works the best for this amount of batter. If you have 2 small pans/skillets, you can divide the batter in half and cook both at the same time (on the same rack).
  • This can be turned into a pancake recipe for one: simply half the quantity and use an 8-inch (20-centimeter) skillet.
German Pancakes Recipe (Dutch Baby Pancakes) (3)

Dietary information:

What does this recipe contain?

Dairy: YES (eggs & milk)
Added sugar: NO
Gluten: YES (all-purpose flour)
Nuts: NO

German Pancakes Recipe (Dutch Baby Pancakes) (4)

German pancakes frequently asked questions:

What can I serve with German pancakes?

These are delicious with all kinds of toppings: jams, a syrup of your choice, whipped cream, berries, flavored whipped ricotta, lemon curd, melted chocolate, powdered sugar, a drizzle of lemon juice, nuts, vanilla ice cream (and serve it as a dessert), bacon,…
My favorite topping combo is lemon curd + fresh raspberries + melted chocolate.

I don’t have a cast-iron skillet. What can I use instead?

Any skillet that is also oven-proof will work (make sure the handle is also oven-proof. some are but only to a certain temperature so check this first).
A rectangular oven-dish is also a great option (I have a 6×9-inch/15×23-centimeter that works great). A square brownie pan will work too but its sides should be about high enough to hold the raising pancake.

Why did my German pancake not rise?

The pan/skillet/oven-proof dish has to be hot so the pancake can rise. Make sure to preheat it in the oven or on your stovetop.

My Dutch baby pancake deflated once out from the oven. What did I do wrong?

You did not do anything wrong. This is completely normal. The pancake will “deflate” while cooling.
Just make sure your German pancake is well risen before you take it out. Sides (or the risen parts) will turn golden brown while the rest will have a pale color.

German Pancakes Recipe (Dutch Baby Pancakes) (5)

More sweet breakfast recipes you might like to try:

  • Brioche French Toast
  • French Toast Roll Ups
  • Carrot Cake Pancakes
  • French Toast Sticks
  • Toasted Oatmeal

This is an old post that has been recently updated. The recipe was adapted from Donal Skehan’s Dutch baby Pancakes.

If you try to make this German pancake, please do let us know what you think in the comment section.

German Pancakes Recipe (Dutch Baby Pancakes) (6)

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5 from 5 votes

German Pancakes

Light and buttery, Dutch baby German pancakes are extremely easy to make, and their cooking is hassle-free. Put them in the oven and enjoy them 15 minutes later!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Servings: 2 – 4 portions

Calories: 330

Author: Julia

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs , large
  • cup milk (160 milliliters)
  • salt , a pinch
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (70 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 ounce unsalted butter , see notes (30 grams)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425° Fahrenheit (220° Celsius).

  • Meanwhile: In a medium mixing bowl, beat together eggs and milk. Add salt and flour combined with baking powder. Whisk until smooth (you can do this in a blender if you like). Set aside.

  • Option 1: Preheat your 10-inch (25-centimeter) cast iron skillet in the oven and when ready to cook the pancake, add butter, let it melt (watch it – you don’t want to burn the butter). Then pour the pancake batter in and bake.

  • Option 2: In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, melt butter over low-medium heat. Increase the heat, pour the batter in and cook for about 60 seconds. Turn off the heat and transfer the skillet into a well-preheated oven.

  • For both options: Bake for 15 minutes or until the pancake is puffed up, browned and cooked through.

  • Serve warm with anything you like!

Notes

  1. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, you can use another skillet as long as it is oven-proof (handle too!). A brownie pan or a small rectangular oven dish will also work.
  2. This recipe can serve from 2 (very generous portions) up to 4 people (as a lighter breakfast or dessert, and when served with a lot of toppings).
  3. This is a sugar-free pancake batter. The sweetness is added with toppings (more ideas in the post).
  4. 1-ounce butter is about 2 tablespoons.

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: German

Keyword: Dutch baby pancakes, German pancake recipe

Nutrition Facts

German Pancakes

Amount per Serving

Calories

330

% Daily Value*

Fat

19

g

29

%

Saturated Fat

10

g

63

%

Trans Fat

1

g

Cholesterol

202

mg

67

%

Sodium

101

mg

4

%

Potassium

407

mg

12

%

Carbohydrates

29

g

10

%

Fiber

1

g

4

%

Sugar

4

g

4

%

Protein

11

g

22

%

Vitamin A

724

IU

14

%

Calcium

211

mg

21

%

Iron

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

** As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tried this recipe?Follow @happyfoodstube and tag #happyfoodstube

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German Pancakes Recipe (Dutch Baby Pancakes) (2024)

FAQs

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 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 is the difference between German pancakes and regular pancakes? ›

What is the difference between German pancakes and regular pancakes? German pancakes have more eggs and don't use a leavening agent. The pancakes are also baked in the oven and have a light and fluffy texture. Whereas regular pancakes are made with baking soda or powder and are cooked on a skillet or griddle.

What is the origin of the Dutch baby pancake? ›

The most well-acknowledged origin story of Dutch baby pancakes was birthed in a Seattle diner called Manca's Cafe. According to the Everett Herald, It happened when Italian-American Victor Manca created them using custom-made Dutch baby pans as a quick turnover breakfast item.

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 is the German word for pancake? ›

Answer and Explanation: The German translation of "pancake" is Pfannkuchen, which is pronounced /fahn-KOO-hehn/, and it is a masculine noun.

Why are my German pancakes not fluffy? ›

Why Didn't My Dutch Baby 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.

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.

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 do Germans eat with pancakes? ›

We love to serve German pancakes with homemade pancake syrup and powdered sugar, but many people like them served with fresh squeezed lemon, butter or fruit toppings.

What country has the best pancakes? ›

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'.

Why does a German pancake puff up? ›

As it bakes the batter puffs up, in a similar way to a Yorkshire pudding or a popover. The recipe doesn't contain any chemical leavening as the milk and eggs create steam that causes the Dutch Baby to rise.

What is the German name for Dutch baby? ›

The name "Dutch Baby" actually came about by mistake. These pancakes were originally served in a diner in Seattle in the early 1900s. The owner's daughter struggled to pronounce Deutsch, (the German word for German) and instead pronounced it Dutch.

Is a Dutch baby the same as a pannenkoeken? ›

The “Dutch Baby” was developed by Seattle restaurateur Victor Manca in the early 1900's. While the dish doesn't look like a traditional Dutch pancake known as a Pannenkoeken, it was derived from a style of German pancake. Save this post!

What is a pancake in Dutch slang? ›

Pannenkoek — Among the more benign Dutch insults you could call someone to let them know that they're an idiot? A pancake.

Is a Dutch baby the same as a pannekoeken? ›

Although the name suggests otherwise, The Dutch Baby Pancake is actually an American thing. From what I've read, they were made popular by German immigrants in the US, which makes sense because they do loosely resemble traditional German Pannekoeken.

Is a Dutch baby the same as Yorkshire pudding? ›

Different cooking vessels, different accompaniments, otherwise very similar," test kitchen manager Kelsey Youngman said. "Probably the biggest difference, in my opinion, would be Yorkshire Pudding uses the beef drippings to grease the popover pan, while a Dutch Baby uses melted butter in a cast iron skillet.

What are the old pancakes called? ›

People began using the word “pancake” during the 15th century, and the word became standard in 19th century America. Previously, people referred to them as Indian cakes, hoe cakes, johnnycakes, journey cakes, buckwheat cakes, griddle cakes, and flapjacks. Early American pancakes were made with buckwheat or cornmeal.

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