German Pancakes Recipe - Beautiful Life and Home (2024)

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Get this classic recipe for German Pancakes! Made in the oven with just a few simple ingredients, your family will love this fun breakfast! Dairy-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free recipe for German Pancakes included!

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This is my mom’s recipe for German Pancakes. She actually lived in Germany for two years, so I’m going to claim that this recipe is authentic 🙂

When I was researching German Pancakes to write this post, I came across some very interesting questions on the internet!

This one was my favorite:

“Can German Shepherds eat pancakes?” Ha ha! I’m afraid I do not know the answer to that question, but my guess would be yes.

I will attempt to answer as many other questions here as I can that I feel would be helpful for you.

If you just want to know how to make them, go ahead and scroll down to my step-by-step tutorial.

Otherwise, here are all your burning questions about German Pancakes, finally answered 🙂

Today’s Freebie!

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Where are German Pancakes from?

It turns out that German Pancakes (also known as Dutch Babies) are neither from Germany or the Netherlands. They are in fact an American invention and were invented in Seattle, Washington at a restaurant. “Dutch” may have been a mispronunciation of the word “Deutsch,” referring to “German.”

What are German Pancakes?

German Pancakes are basically a large popover made either in a large pan or a large skillet. (When in the pan, they are called German Pancakes. In the skillet, they are called Dutch Babies).

They are baked in the oven rather than cooked on a stove.

What Makes German Pancakes Rise?

German pancakes use no leavening such as baking powder or baking soda. They rise because of the large amount of eggs in them. You can actually watch them quickly rise in the oven as they bake!

A follow-up question I found was, “Why are my German Pancakes flat?” As soon as you remove them from the oven, they start to deflate. The once-puffy center sinks down completely, and only the sides and edges remain high. Although this is somewhat disappointing, there is no getting around it. The result still tastes delicious!

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Can you freeze and reheat German Pancakes?

Yes! If you want to freeze any leftovers, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap and freeze.

When you want to reheat them, unwrap and place in a foil-covered baking pan. Place in a 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes, until reheated.

If you simply want to reheat leftovers that have been stored in the fridge, you can pop them in the toaster oven or even the microwave for about 20 seconds. But if you use the microwave, be sure to eat it right away. A reheated German Pancake will become rubbery as it cools if it’s been reheated in the microwave.

What to serve with German Pancakes

Basically, if you can serve it with regular pancakes, you can serve it with German pancakes. Fruit, syrup, whipped cream–even Nutella!

Growing up, we ate it with applesauce and syrup poured over the top. Yum!

Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Sugar-free German Pancakes

Yes! Let’s do it all at the same time!

Typically, recipes for German Pancakes don’t contain any sugar to begin with. Any sweetness is obtained by the toppings you put on.

I personally add a little sugar to my recipe to give it just a hint of sweetness. If you want to do the same but don’t want to use actual sugar, you can use xylitol, stevia, monk fruit, or another type of sugar substitute. But stay away from aspartame and saccharine!

To replace the wheat flour, I use a mixture of brown rice flour and tapioca flour.

To replace the dairy, I use Earth Balance Organic Buttery spread and unsweetened almond milk.

Scroll down to get the recipe!

(If you are allergic to eggs, I am sorry. There is no egg substitute that will work for this recipe. You do need to use actual eggs).

For a great sugar-free topping, be sure to try my Sugar-free Whipped Cream!
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Ingredients for German Pancakes

  1. 6 eggs
  2. 1 cup of milk
  3. 1 cup of flour
  4. 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  5. 2 tablespoons of sugar (optional)
  6. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
  7. 1/4 cup (1/2 a cube) of butter

How to Make German Pancakes

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

Get out a blender and add the eggs, milk, flour, and salt. (If using sugar and vanilla, add those as well).

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Blend on low speed for about thirty seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender if necessary.

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Now just drop 1/4 cup of butter into a 9×13 pan and put it in the oven. Stay nearby and turn on the oven light.

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As soon as all the butter has melted (should only take about two minutes), remove the pan from the oven and carefully pour the batter from the blender into it.

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Return to the oven and bake for exactly 18 minutes, without opening the oven door.

Once the time is up, remove from the oven. It will be very puffy!

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Wait about five minutes for the German Pancake to fully deflate.

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You can either add toppings to the whole pan (if you plan on serving it all right away), or let people add their own toppings to their individual servings.

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Slice into eight squares and serve warm.

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Today’s Freebie!

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Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Classic German Pancakes (or Dutch Babies) made in your oven with just a few simple ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
  • 1/4 cup butter (half a cube)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Add all the ingredients except the butter to a blender. Blend on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop to scrape down the sides if necessary.
  3. Put 1/4 cup of butter into a 9x13 baking dish. Place in the 400-degree F. oven. Turn on the oven lights and watch the butter. When it has completely melted, remove the pan from the oven.
  4. Carefully pour the batter from the blender into the pan and put it back in the oven. Set the timer for 18 minutes. Do not open the oven to check the pancake while cooking! This will make it fall.
  5. After 18 minutes have passed, remove the pan from the oven. The pancake will be very puffy, but will deflate.
  6. Wait about five minutes for the pancake to fully deflate. Then cut into eight pieces and serve with your toppings of choice.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 190Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 181mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 7g

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Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Make this classic German Pancakes recipe without wheat, dairy, or sugar!

Ingredients

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 cup brown rice flour
  • 1/2 cup tapioca flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons xylitol or monk fruit sweetener, or three packets of Truvia/Stevia (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
  • 1/4 cup Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Add all the ingredients except the Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread to a blender. Blend on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop to scrape down the sides if necessary.
  • Put 1/4 cup of Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread into a 9x13 baking dish. Place in the 400-degree F. oven. Turn on the oven lights and watch the spread. When it has completely melted, remove the pan from the oven.
  • Carefully pour the batter from the blender into the pan and put it back in the oven. Set the timer for 18 minutes. Do not open the oven to check the pancake while cooking! This will make it fall.
  • After 18 minutes have passed, remove the pan from the oven. The pancake will be very puffy, but will deflate.
  • Wait about five minutes for the pancake to fully deflate. Then cut into eight pieces and serve with your toppings of choice.
  • Nutrition Information:

    Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 178mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 6g

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    German Pancakes Recipe - Beautiful Life and Home (2024)

    FAQs

    Why don't my German pancakes puff up? ›

    If the pan isn't hot enough then the liquid does not heat up and create the steam quickly enough and so the flour will cook through and set before the pancake can rise. We suggest that you give the oven and skillet plenty of time to heat up thoroughly before adding the batter.

    What is the difference between German and Dutch pancakes? ›

    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.

    What's the difference between German and American pancakes? ›

    The difference between German and American pancakes is that German pancakes use more eggs than American pancakes and no leavening agent. German pancakes are also baked in a shallow dish (like a roasting pan or cast-iron skillet) while American pancakes are cooked on a griddle.

    Why are German pancakes called Dutch babies? ›

    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.

    How do I keep my pancakes fluffy? ›

    5 Tips for Fluffier Pancakes
    1. Allow the Batter to Rest. A good rule of thumb when you're wondering how to make fluffy pancakes is to let the batter rest. ...
    2. Beat the Egg Whites. Separate your yolk from the egg white then beat to create a fluffy pancake. ...
    3. Don't Over Mix! ...
    4. Wait for the Bubbles. ...
    5. Follow a Good Recipe.
    Dec 1, 2019

    What makes pancakes fluffy and helps them rise? ›

    Pancakes and waffles typically both contain baking soda, which causes them to rise. As soon as the baking soda is combined with the wet ingredients (which contain an acidic ingredient, like often buttermilk), it starts producing carbon dioxide gas bubbles that cause the batter to rise.

    What country has the best pancakes? ›

    World's most delicious pancakes
    • Socca, France and Italy: Made with chickpea flour, socca, also known as farinata, is a a street food favorite in cities like Nice. ...
    • Blinis, Russia: These traditional Russian pancakes usually made from wheat or buckwheat flour are perfect for breakfast.

    What are British pancakes called? ›

    Pancakes made and eaten in England are called “pancakes”. I have never been served with something called an American pancake.

    Which US state is known for pancakes? ›

    Tastes vary from state to state. Since Hawaii is known around the world for its macadamia nut pancakes, it's no surprise that it tops the list. Additionally, Oregon and Alaska share a fondness for pancakes. With their colder climates, this could reflect their desire for warm, satiating breakfast foods.

    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 they called dollar pancakes? ›

    These bite-sized pancakes are similar to the small Scottish pancakes, sometimes known as drop scones, since the batter is dropped directly into the skillet. In the U.S., we refer to them as "silver dollar" pancakes, as they are roughly the size of the old-school coin.

    Why are my German pancakes so thin? ›

    They are puffier and thinner than American pancakes because the batter is baked until it puffs up like a popover. Their texture is more similar to a crepe—soft and thin in the middle, but with crispy, puffed edges.

    Is a German pancake the same as a Yorkshire pudding? ›

    Dutch babies, popovers, German pancakes, Yorkshire pudding are all the same thing just different names. Technically these are all baked puddings and delicious. Try serving them with my delicious strawberry syrup.

    What's the difference between poffertjes and pancakes? ›

    Poffertjes are actually a kind of Dutch mini pancakes, but they are more fluffy. Most children love them, but they are also a tasty snack for adults. The poffertjes are baked in a special poffertjes pan, here they are baked delicious brown, cooked and crispy, but they still remain soft and airy.

    Why are my pancakes flat and not fluffy? ›

    Why are my pancakes flat and not fluffy? A flat pancake is usually the result of the batter being too wet. This is because there isn't enough strength from the flour to trap the bubbles produced by the baking soda.

    Why didn't my pancakes bubble? ›

    Over-mixing the pancake batter can remove the air from the pancake which causes it to be airless. This creates a flat, sad pancake. So try sifting the flour and not stirring it too much. This adds more air to the batter.

    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.

    Why do my fluffy pancakes deflate? ›

    Some of the common causes of deflated pancakes include: Over-mixing the batter: Overmixing will 'deflate' the egg whites. Plus it can cause the gluten in the batter to develop too far, making the pancakes dense and heavy.

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