Ingredients
- Small Pancake - Makes 2 servings:
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup milk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup sifted bread flour or all-purpose flour*
- 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 7 teaspoons butter
- Freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- Powdered (confectioner's) sugar
- 10-inch cast iron skillet
- Medium Pancake - Makes 4 servings:
- 6 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup milk, room temperature
- 1 cup sifted bread flour or all-purpose flour*
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 tablespoons butter
- Freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- Powdered (confectioners') sugar
- 10-inch cast iron skillet
- Large Pancake - Makes 6 servings:
- 9 eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups milk, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sifted bread flour or all-purpose flour*
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 8 (1/2 cup) tablespoons butter
- Freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- Powdered (confectioners') sugar
- 12-inch cast iron skillet
- Note:
- Bread flour is a high-protein flour. The high protein helps the pancake rise. All-purpose flour may be substituted but the results won't be as spectacular.
- Use a shallow pan, not more than 3 inches deep (pie pans, cast iron skillets, oven-proof fry pans, baking dishes, paella pans).
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
NOTE: It is very important that you preheat your oven.
Place oven rack on the middle rack of your oven.
Place a large, heavy ovenproof frying pan or a cast iron skill, in the oven until hot and sizzling.
While pan is heating, prepare your batter.
In a large bowl or blender, beat the eggs until light and frothy; add milk, flour, vanilla extract, and cinnamon; beat for 5 minutes more.
The batter will be thin, but very smooth and creamy.
You can also use your blender or Vitamixer.
Using pot holders or oven gloves, remove the hot skillet from the oven; add the butter; tilting the pan to melt the butter and coat the skillet. Don't remove the hot skillet from the oven, just pull out the oven rack.
Pour the prepared batter into the hot skillet, all at once, and immediately return the skillet to the oven.
Bake approximately 20 to 25 minutes or until puffed and golden brown (bake until the pancake puffs up around the edges - it may puff irregularly in the center.
The timing will also depend on the size of your pan or skillet.
Carefully remove the pancake from the oven and serve immediately. Either bring the pancake to the table in its pan or slide it onto a serving plate.
Once out of the oven, the pancake will begin to deflate.
To serve, cut into serving-size wedges and transfer to individual serving plates.
Top with your favorite topping and serve immediately.
For a classic German Pancake/Dutch Baby, sprinkle with freshly squeezed lemon juice, and dust the top with powdered sugar.
Topping Ideas:
Sifted powdered (confectioners) sugar
Butter
Fresh applesauce with a dash of cinnamon
Crushed pineapple, drained
Whipped cream and sliced fresh strawberries
Syrups (maple, your favorite fruit syrup, or honey)
Canned pie filling, cold or warm