A German pancake looks so inviting on the table. You'll love the healthy fats in this meal before heading off to do chores. Choose your favourite toppings and set out your Dutch baby!
Growing up, Big Dutch Babies (also called a German Pancake) were a Christmas morning treat. Sometime in my teen years, my sister figured they didn't need to be just for then, and we started having more regularly. Now, we embrace them as an almost weekly breakfast.
Even if you don't homestead, these are staple ingredients you have on hand for any baking you'd like to do, so this can be made on a whim. I like that it's ready in 30 minutes! Another fast option is making oatmeal pancake batter the night before. Baked French Toast is also assembled ahead of time but takes an hour to bake.
Why You Need This Recipe
- Uses pantry ingredients you have on hand
- Is super filling whether you make it before chores or let it bake while you're milking the cows.
- Everyone can add their favourite toppings to their plates! What a custom meal.
- It's perfect for freezing.
Key Ingredients
Eggs - yup, there's a lot. But we enjoy using eggs to add protein and fat, and they make this somewhat of a crepe texture.
Butter - homemade or store-bought, with or without salt.
Flour - regular all-purpose will do just fine. I don't normally use fresh-ground because it won't hydrate quickly enough.
Milk - again, whatever's on hand. Whole milk adds a lot of good fats for the kids, but skimmed milk after you make butter is fine!
Toppings - go simple with more butter and add maple syrup. A fun treat is adding honey to a basic syrup.
How to Make a Big Dutch Baby Pancake
***See recipe card below for precise measurements and instructions.***
Step 1: Add butter to a cast iron skillet and pop in the oven. Turn it on to preheat and melt the butter.
Step 2: Add remaining ingredients to a blender (or use a whisk) and combine well until frothy.
Step 3: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and swirl the butter to coat. Pour in the batter.
Step 4: Return to the oven and bake until golden and puffed!
Tips and Tricks
- If you don't have a large enough skillet, this fits in a 9x13 baking dish. Just be aware that often glass shouldn't go into a cold oven, but needs to go in once it's up to temp.
- Remember to be careful with the hot skillet! Some people use silicone handle huggers or just make sure you have good oven mitts so you can hold both sides of the skillet.
- This reheats as well as freezes great so make two at once!
What to Serve with German Pancakes
I go simple with butter and maple syrup, but you can totally eat a plain slice as you're walking to the barn. Add sliced fruit, yogurt, or bacon on the side for a full meal.
- applesauce
- home-canned pie filling
- caramel sauce
- a drizzle of honey
FAQs
If you read a label from a stick, you'll know that ⅓ cup is kind of tricky. It's technically 5 ⅓ tablespoons, or 16 teaspoons. If you use 6 tablespoons nothing bad will happen! So by weight it's just under 3 ounces. But honestly, just cut a slab and throw it in. No one will know!
Absolutely! If you don't yet have a large cast iron skillet, use any one that is large enough and oven-safe. Not all handles are oven-safe so keep that in mind. Put it in a cake pan or two pie pans - the key here is just a hot pan with melted butter to get the puffing action going!
photos by Kiara Colebank
More Breakfast Recipes to Enjoy
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Cast Iron Dutch Baby
Equipment
- Cast Iron Frying Pan
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup butter
- 6 eggs
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 ½ cups milk
Instructions
- Place butter in a 12" cast iron skillet and set in a cold oven.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- In the jar of a blender, add eggs, flour, and milk.
- When the oven comes up to temperature, carefully take the pan out, swirl the butter around a bit, then pour the batter in.
- Return pan to oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until nicely golden and puffed!
Notes
- Serve plain if you'd like, with your hot coffee.
- Add butter, syrup, honey, jam, whatever floats your boat!
chefkreso
Looks tasty and a lovely post!
Selicia
I made this, this morning for my family and it was a hit!
Karen
Love this for a quick and yummy breakfast. I make it gluten free with whatever GF flour blend I have on hand with great results.
Aimee
We like ours with lemon juice and powdered sugar or strawberry freezer jam
Kaci
I had never heard of this until last weekend when I saw your recipe on Instagram. I made it for breakfast last Saturday and it was such a hit that we’re having it again this morning. My kids loved it! Thanks for sharing.
kateschat
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Brittany Lint
This is a great base recipe! We added 2 tsp vanilla, 3 Tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon to the batter this time, but I like the idea of keeping it plain and trying a savory version.
My kids like to top it with jam, whip cream, lemon and powdered sugar, and just syrup is delicious too!
Celia Bond
We make these Dutch babies at least once a week. The kids love it, my husband loves it and it's super fast and easy to make up before school.
Mandi Blumanhourst
I like the concept of this, and it turned out really pretty looking, but we didn’t like how thick it is. My kids prefer regular pancakes (which are much for time consuming!)
Lesley
These turned out great. I appreciated the two size options. I added a bit of salt and some honey to the recipe.
Deena Beaudoin
First time making Dutch babies. Easy to follow recipe and it came out just like the picture! Definitely added this one to my saved pile
HealthyLivingwithChristene
I made this over the summer and I love it but my children thought it was weird and wouldn't try it until I put chocolate on it.
Gina
It’s hard to find a recipe all six of my kids will devour without complaining. However this was check the all the boxes and leave them full for a while. It’s easy to make and totally customizable to your likes and taste. Do yourself a favor and make one this weekend. I am sure you won’t be disappointed.
Caitlin Gray
One of my favorite recipes to use up a decent amount of eggs. My kids love them!
Ashley
Great recipe! My husband's new found favourite. Works well with coconut milk and spelt flour
Christina
Super easy and delicious
Kim
I had never heard of a Dutch baby before seeing your stories! Now they are requested regularly. So much easier than pancakes!!
Shannon Gardner
This is one of the most fun, easy and impressive recipes to make. I often half it in an 8x8 pan. I love it because I can mix it up in no time, stick it in the oven, go get my shower and get dressed. By the time I am done, it is done, I can pull it out and serve my kiddos a healthy, yummy, filling breakfast.
Tess Giffin
LOVE the big pan recipe.
Comes out perfect every time (which is at least once a week!).
I have put frozen berries on top before popping it in the oven. But right now, the favourite for my crew is thinly sliced ham and grated cheese throw on before baking.
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Nikki K
During egg surplus season, I make this once a week. I increase the recipe a bit
1/4 butter
1.5 c flour
1.5 c milk
This makes a 13x9 pan and feeds 5 big appetites.
We put powdered sugar or whipped cream on it, and have also put chocolate chips or blueberries in it - delicious and so easy.
Erin
My family LOVE these and often ask for seconds! Great easy breakfast, or lunch, served with fresh berries, powdered sugar, and local maple syrup. (My daughter likes to add sprinkles too, because she’s fancy...and 3 haha). They are also a great protein option!
Casey
All four of my kids request this often for breakfast. I top it with my home canned blueberry jam and dust it with a little powdered sugar and it’s a huge hit!
KATES BIG SISTER
current favorite is peach jam with maple syrup
Kayleena
I love this recipe! We call it Dutch pancake, and it is so easy. My whole family likes it, even my three picky boys. We usually top it with my parent’s homemade maple syrup, but we have also used applesauce or jelly. My husband suggested adding cinnamon and sugar, and it was great; I call it the French toast version. I would like to try making a savory version sometime.
tamie Smith
I am notoriously bad at making breakfast. My go to is fried eggs. This recipe looked simple enough so I thought I'd give it a whirl. It was so easy and turned out great! We topped it with the honey butter pancake syrup and it was magnificent
stephensonindustriesandblog
One of our favorite breakfast recipes. Love this!
Kaitlyn
This is a staple in our house. At least once a week we are making this. We never have enough either. One of my all time favorite foods!!! I also can easily make it GF by using GF 1 to 1 flour!
Katy Clark
Love this for a quick hands free supper, especially when I want a no sugar supper! My husband even likes it made with savoury toppings, one time he did a taco Dutch baby ?
Samantha Sedig
We all love this! So simple, uses easy ingredients that I always have on hand, and works great with sprouted einkorn flour!
Kacey
Simple and delicious! Will definitely make again.
Amy S
One of our go to weekend breakfast, simple and everyone loves these 🙂
jessicaksmith
a sunday morning must!
Cyndy Simpson
This is such an easy, nutrient dense, delicious breakfast! We have also had it for dinner with sausage gravy!!!! A winner in our home!
Sonya
Love it! I make 2 plus some meat (bacon, sausage, fry up some leftover roast, whatever) for my 7 kids and I. So far we've never had any leftovers.
Kendria
Our go-to quick meal and a house favorite. Thanks for sharing!