Dutch Baby Pancakes taste like Crepes but in pancake form. The batter puffs up to form a billowy crust with a custard-like center. We also included instructions for making a Berry Dutch Baby and even a Double Dutch.
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A dutch baby (German pancake) is simple to make but is truly special. Watch the video tutorial and see the magic that happens in the oven. My husband and kids love this and always ask for seconds.
Dutch Baby Video Tutorial
We love special breakfasts on weekends and holidays, from Poached Eggs to Quiche and Ricotta Pancakes (a family favorite). If you love breakfast as much as we do, this Dutch Baby recipe is a must-try.
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What is a Dutch Baby Pancake?
A dutch baby pancake is sometimes referred to as a puff pancake, a dutch puff, or a German pancake. It is essentially a large popover or Yorkshire pudding with a custardy base and crisp tall edges. It is typically served for breakfast.
Ingredients for German Pancakes
- Eggs – Eggs make this rise. To quickly bring eggs to room temperature, place in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.
- Whole milk – to bring milk to room temperature, microwave for 15 seconds.
- Flour – we use all-purpose flour
- Sugar – 1 Tbsp makes this lightly sweetened
- Vanilla Extract – we love homemade vanilla
- Pinch of salt – to balance the flavor
- Pinch of nutmeg – optional but nice
- 3 Tbsp butter – softened or melted. We use unsalted.
How to Make Dutch Baby Pancakes
- Preheat Oven. Place pan into the oven to preheat at 425˚F for at least 8 minutes.
- Blend Batter. Add ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the jar to catch any stuck flour.
- Butter the Pan. Melt softened butter into the skillet and brush butter up the sides of the skillet.
- Add Batter. Pour all batter into the center of the pan.
- Bake. Immediately return to the oven and bake 16-18 minutes, until puffed and browned at the edges.
Tools you will need
- 10” oven-safe skillet – use cast-iron or seasoned stainless steel
- Hot Mitts – to transfer the preheated skillet in and out of the oven
- Blender – any type of blender will work.
- Spatula – to scrape down the sides of the bowl
Common Questions
Dutch Baby pancakes are derived from German Pancakes. The name “Dutch” was coined by Manca’s Cafe (1900-1950), a restaurant in Seattle. The owners’ daughter mispronounced the German word “Deutsch” which means German and it was originally served as 3 small (baby) pancakes, hence the name, “Dutch Baby.”
You can whisk the ingredients together in a bowl and whisk vigorously until well blended. You can also use an electric hand mixer.
It needs to be an oven-safe skillet or casserole. We use a 10″ cast iron or stainless steel pan, or even a deep pie dish for a dutch baby pancake. Use a 9×13 casserole to make a double dutch.
Dutch baby needs a generous amount of butter on the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent sticking and allow the sides to rise properly.
This is likely because your ingredients were not at room temperature. Also, a blender helps to achieve a super smooth consistency.
Serve With
Dutch baby pancakes should be served right away or they lose their dramatic puffed appearance, so have your toppings ready. We love to serve these with:
- Powdered Sugar – a.k.a. confectioners sugar
- Fresh fruit – seasonal berries or sliced stone fruit
- Strawberry Sauce – homemade and so easy
- Honey Butter – whipped with cinnamon and honey
- Raspberry Maple Syrup – blended with real raspberries
Make-Ahead
Dutch baby pancakes are best eaten fresh but you can make the batter ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to make the pancake. Give the batter quick whisking just before using it. For safety, avoid pouring cold liquid into any glass bakeware.
To Make a Berry Dutch Baby
To add berries, add batter into the skillet then scatter 1 cup of berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, or sliced strawberries) around the center of the pan. Bake the pancake as directed.
For an Apple Dutch Baby: Make an apple filling like we did for Apple Turnovers and sprinkle it over the top of the dutch baby batter before baking.
Doubling the Recipe
You can double the recipe making it a “Double Dutch.” Preheat the oven to 425˚F and preheat a 13×9 casserole dish. Remove hot casserole and add 4 Tbsp melted butter, brushing the bottom and sides with butter. Pour in batter and bake 20-23 minutes or until puffed and browned at the edges.
More Breakfast Ideas
If you love this Dutch Baby, then you won’t want to miss these breakfast favorites.
- Breakfast Burritos – make ahead and freezer friendly
- Buttermilk Pancakes – easy and so soft
- Blueberry muffins – bursting with fresh blueberries
- Pumpkin Pancakes – fluffy with great pumpkin flavor
- Banana Bread – so good with your morning coffee
- Green Smoothie Bowl – energizing to jump-start your day
Dutch Baby (German Pancakes) VIDEO
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature (put in warm water 5 minutes)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature (microwaved 15 seconds)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of nutmeg, (optional)
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425˚F. Place an oven-safe skillet such as cast iron into the oven and let it preheat for at least 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in the jar of a blender, combine eggs, flour, milk, sugar, salt, nutmeg, and vanilla, and blend 30 seconds on high speed until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender halfway through to make sure all flour is incorporated.
- Carefully remove the pan from the oven using hot mitts. Add 3 Tbsp 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.
Nutrition Per Serving
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
I didn’t have whole milk so I used Almond milk. Don’t try it. It does not come out well at all. I’ve made this quite a few times and it always came out right if you use whole milk. Love this recipe.
Just made this for my grandchildren for lunch. I wanted a recipe with protein and the strawberries that I had in the fridge. It was so simple. Dump the ingredients into the blender. One quick scrap on the sides about 10 seconds in. They felt special like I had made a very special lunch for them. This goes into the keep file. Thank you
Since stumbling across these things (the Dutch Babies, that is), it’s been a dish that seen heavy rotation in my house. Thanks for the recipie!
Great recipe, for some reason I can not get it to rise,any idea why
Hi Irina! Did you fully preheat the oven and get the pan get hot enough before adding the batter?
I haven’t tried the recipe, but all her other recipes are amazing. I just watched the video and she is a hoot! One of the coolest and most interesting chics I have ever witnessed.. Rock on Natasha, you are sooooo COOL!!! I just bought your cook book!!!
Aw, thank you, Erik!
This was one of the easiest and quickest recipes to make especially throwing ingredients into blender. Pancake turned out beautiful and delicious. I topped it with some powdered sugar and homemade jam.
Dear Natasha I have been following you for a very long time and I love all your recipes! Your the best! And your Cook Book is amazing!