It's always fun to make something different for breakfast. Pannenkoekens (Dutch pancakes), Dutch Babies (German pancakes) or Crepes (French pancakes) are so very good and once again so easy to make. The batter is pretty much the same for all of the above except the measurements for each ingredient changes a little.
When I was a child, my best friend lived across the street. We were always playing or hanging out together. Once in awhile her dad made us some really skinny pancakes and they were so good. Of course at that time I had no idea what they were, but they sure were delicious. Turns out I was eating Crepes (French pancakes). It appears that every nationality has their own version of pancakes. This post will concentrate on Dutch Baby (Deutsch German) pancakes.
My favorite meal of the day on weekends is breakfast. Usually we just have eggs and sausage, or eggs and bacon or on special weekends we have our favorite, eggs and "Spam".I know, Spam??? There's nothing better than fried spam. It's crispy and almost tastes like bacon. Yup. It's delicious. Sometimes if I'm in the mood I will make Eggs Benedict, another yummy breakfast. We also like pancakes. Usually we just have good old fashioned pancakes. But sometimes I go the extra mile and make Dutch Baby (German pancakes). They take no time all to make and both my husband and myself love them.
A Little Humor...
My granddaughter was at the lake with us and I made Spam for breakfast. She said, "grandma what kind of bacon is this?" I told her it was special bacon. Well, when she got home she couldn't wait to tell her mom that she had special bacon at grandma and grandpa's. My daughter called me right away and said, "what did you feed my daughter?" I said, you know, "Spam". She laughed and said, "well, I guess I'll have to buy some." She had forgotten how good it was. So now they have it on weekends too!
So What's the Difference Between Dutch pancakes, German pancakes and French pancakes?...
Dutch Pannenkoeken (Dutch Pancakes)
A Dutch Pannenkoeken s a pancake that comes from the Netherlands. They are typically large, whole pan size and are much thinner than a traditional pancake...but not quite as thin as a French crepe. Traditionally these Dutch pancakes, filled or not, are rolled and then eaten. Slice them, or just grab a bite if you’re eating them on the go!
Dutch Baby (German Pancakes)
A Dutch baby (German) pancake, they can also be called, a Bismarck, a Dutch puff, Hooligan, or a Hootenanny, is a dish that is similar to a large English Yorkshire pudding. Unlike most pancakes, Dutch babies are baked in the oven, rather than being fried. They will form to the pan you are using and will create a bowl that can be filled with all kinds of goodies.
While these pancakes are derived from the German pancake dish, it is said that the name Dutch baby was coined by one of Victor Manca's daughters, where "Dutch" perhaps was her corruption of the German autonym deutsch. Manca's Cafe claimed that it owned the trademark for Dutch babies in 1942.Wikipedia
A crepe (French pancake) is a very, very thin pancake. They can be served for breakfast or dessert. I love them with just butter and syrup. But you can fill the crepes with berries and whipped cream or cover them with cinnamon and sugar. No matter what you put on them or in them, they are delicious.
Let's Make Some German Pancakes...Dutch Babies...
The above picture is a Dutch Baby (German pancake). They are simple to make and require ingredients that you most likely have in your pantry.
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- flour
- whole milk
- sugar
- vanilla extract
- salt
- nutmeg (optional)
- butter
- apple pie filling (for topping)
- berries (for topping)
- bananas (for topping)
- nuts (for topping
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Mix all ingredients, except the butter. Mix until all combined and smooth. Place your cast iron skillet in the oven to heat. (I have used cast iron and pottery pie plates.) Whatever you have that is round will work.
Once you have preheated your oven. Place your container in the oven and let it heat for at least 8 minutes. Using oven mitts, remove from oven and place butter in the container. It should sizzle
Fill your Dutch Baby with apples and fruits. Top with whipping cream and serve. Yes, it's that easy and yes it's that delicious. You can use your imagination for the fillings. Any pie filling would be delicious. I have also added the Banana's Foster recipe below.
Dutch Baby (German Pancakes) Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature (I used 1/4 c. 1% milk and 1/4 c. heavy cream)
- 1 T. sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of nutmeg (opt)
- 2-3 T. butter (depending on the size of your container)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place an oven-safe skillet or oven proof pottery pie dish and let it preheat for at least 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile in the jar of a blender (I used a food processor) combine eggs, flour, milk, sugar, salt, nutmeg and vanilla and blend 30 seconds or pulse until mixture is all incorporated
- Carefully remove the pan from the oven using oven mitts. Add 3 T. butter to the hot pan and swirl to coat bottom and sides of the pan. The butter should sizzle.
- Add batter to the buttered pan then bake for 16-18 minutes or until pancake is puffed and golden brown at the edges.
- Carefully remove the pan from the oven with hot mitts and serve pancake right away.
A Little Bonus...Banana's Foster Dutch Baby...
Many years ago I was introduced to Banana's Foster at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. It was so delicious. Bananas cooked in a rum sauce and then poured over ice cream. The taste was so different and so good. The original recipe was from a restaurant In New Orleans called Brennen's. Such a simple topping with a big, big flavor.
Below is the recipe for Banana's Foster. After you have made your Dutch Baby, just pour the bananas and sauce into the pancake, add some whipping cream and devour. You can share this one...
Banana's Foster Recipe...
Ingredients:
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/2 c. maple syrup
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. rum extract
- 4 firm bananas
- 1/2 c. chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, if desired
- whipped topping
Directions:
- In a 10" nonstick skillet, mix butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup and rum extract. Cook mixture over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly with wooden spoon, until sugar dissolves and mixture is thick like gravy.
- Reduce heat to medium; add bananas, gently spooning sauce over each piece. Cook about 3 minutes or until bananas are glossy and coated with sauce.
- To serve, place Dutch Baby on individual plate; spoon sauce and bananas into Dutch Baby, top with whipped cream.
One Final Thought
It's fun to make something different for breakfast. Actually, I use this recipe for dinner Dutch Babies and sometimes dessert Dutch Babies. You can fill the pancake with just about anything. The sky is the limit. I like to also fill with sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns, peppers and onions. Definitely different and definitely delightful! I do hope you enjoyed this post and I do hope that you try them. You won't be disappointed...
Below are recipes for French Crepes and Pannenkoeken (Dutch Pancakes)
Always remember..."Life's short...eat dessert first!"...words to live by!
