I remember my grandmother waking early in the morning to start breakfast before anyone else was awake. We’d come downstairs and she’d already be working in the kitchen.
I’d peek through the oven door as the German pancakes rose so beautifully in the oven. German pancakes are a cross between a souffle and an omelet.
These are light airy pancakes and a unique taste. Often called Dutch baby pancakes, these are a real treat and a fun morning breakfast for a lazy weekend.
Have you made these? German pancakes rise amazingly high and then fall once they are removed from the oven. As a child, it was always exciting to watch the process. I waited years to attempt making them myself.
Once I discovered just how simple they are to make, I had to restrain myself from making them far too often. We love them with powdered sugar, or maple syrup, but my grandmother’s Orange Sauce is our favorite topping of all.
The sides of the pancake will rise high over the rim of the pie plate, as pictured below. (Forgive the picture quality. The steam from the oven messed with my picture.)
For my family, I triple this recipe and we polish off all of it! Three pie plates fit on my oven rack and bake at the same time.
Ingredients
GERMAN PANCAKE INGREDIENTS
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
ORANGE SAUCE INGREDIENTS
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/3 cup boiling water
- 1/3 cup orange juice concentrate
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk together milk, flour and salt until smooth. Add slightly beaten eggs and beat well. Melt the butter in a pie plate in the hot oven. When it is bubbling hot, using hot pads, tilt to cover the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Quickly pour in egg mixture and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Bake for 15 minutes. The sides of the pancake will rise high over the rim of the pie plate, as pictured below. (Forgive the picture quality. The steam from the oven messed with my picture.) Serve hot from the oven with Orange Sauce. Enjoy!
Sauce Directions
- Whisk together sugar, cornstarch and salt and set aside. Combine water and orange juice concentrate in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add dry ingredients to the saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is clear and thickened. I am not the most patient of cooks, so I often raise the heat and just watch it closely. It turns out great every time.
- As written, the Orange Sauce recipe will make enough sauce for a tripled German Pancake recipe.
ConsciouslyFrugal says
I am putting this on the to-make list for when (if? when? please God?) our ovens are turned back on. I love the science experiement aspect of it! ha!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
What a beautiful breakfast dish – I love the picture of it in the oven! the sauce sounds wonderful – YUM this is definitely worth getting up for!Mary
Paula says
I LOVE German pancakes, and I've also recently started following your blog and am LOVING all your fresh, yummy recipes too! Thanks! Oh, and to change things up a bit we often make the pancakes in muffin tins for cute personal pancakes. The kids love it 🙂
Barefeet In The Kitchen says
Oh my goodness! That would be perfect. I never thought of baking them in muffin cups!!
Laurie says
My sister makes these, but I haven't tackled them yet. I just may give them a try soon.
Taylor says
I've never made or even eaten German pancakes…but I'm thinking it's about time I did! I love making recipes that remind me of my grandma. There's something special about carrying on a kitchen tradition 🙂
Holly says
Yum!! I've never had German pancakes but they sure sound great!
Serenity says
Sooooo not nice Mary!! Lol now I want this and it is way to hot here to even try 🙁 not to mention my dear husband would kill me for having it without him.We also do grandmothers waffle sauce with this or my blueberry syrup.
sheila @ Elements says
Yummmm! I love German pancakes, and the orange sauce on them sounds heavenly!! 🙂 Sounds like it's pretty easy to make too! 🙂
The Slow Roasted Italian says
Is this what we had for your birthday 2 years ago??? If so, these are divine. So, you made these and ate them without me??? {{{foot stomping pouting}}}
clevermuffin says
What a lovely story, and lovely recipe. reminded me of the breakfast my gran used to make for me (soft boiled eggs and toast soliders). Grandma food is such comfort food!
Lisa says
I like pancakes for breakfast or any time of the day now making German pancakes is going to be a good thing cuz the pancakes are not going to be the same ole pancakes I’ve been making and eating I believe I am going to like German pancakes they will be my new pancakes for when I want them for breakfast or when ever I want pancakes I am glad I saw this recipe I am going to make them tomorrow morning!!1