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An Apple Dutch Baby (otherwise known as a German Pancake) is a airy, light, and sweet (or savory) family-style pancake that’s easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit. This version is topped with a warm, spiced apple topping and a dollop of homemade whipped cream–making it a fantastic breakfast treat. Learn why this German apple pancake needs to be part of your recipe repertoire.
If you are looking for another Dutch baby pancake recipe, then check out my Strawberry Dutch Baby Recipe, Savory Dutch Baby (Croque Monsieur), next!
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In need of breakfast ideas? This easy apple dutch baby pancake has you covered. It calls for a light and fluffy pancake that’s topped with honeycrisp apples and warming spices to make a delicious apple topping.
If you’re a fan of breakfast food or a lover of all-things brunch, this is one of the top breakfast foods that I get asked to make. And once you make it, you’ll see why.
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy– Simply combine the ingredients in a blender, add them to a hot skillet, and bake! The sautéed cinnamon apple topping is also super easy to make.
- So Versatile– Enjoy a sweet or savory Dutch baby. This dish is easy to customize with whatever toppings you’d like!
- Great Anytime Meal– It’s a great way to start the day but also a great option for dessert.
What is a Dutch Baby Pancake?
A Dutch baby is a large, German-style pancake baked in a hot cast iron skillet. If you’ve never had the pleasure of eating one, it’s like a cross between a pancake, popover, crepe, and Yorkshire pudding. Traditionally, it is served with sweet toppings.
If you have yet to try German apple pancakes, then you are in for a treat. This version calls for add cinnamon and nutmeg to the dutch baby pancake mix, to give it a some warming flavors, then it’s
Ingredients You Will Need
This recipe calls for a lot of pantry staples. Let’s get into what you will need.
Dutch Baby
- All-purpose flour:This key ingredient makes up the basic structure of the pancakes.
- Whole milk:Ensure it is at room temperature.
- Largeeggs:This recipe calls for two. Ensure it is at room temperature.
- Seasonings and spices:I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt, cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.
- Lemon zest: So a subtle brightness.
- Unsalted butter:Used to coat the cast-iron just before pouring the batter.
Spiced Apples
- Honeycrisp apples: My preferred apple for this spiced apple topping.
- Spiced Cider: This adds a lovely warmth to the topping and a luscious glaze to accompany the apples.
- Seasonings and Spices: Kosher salt to balance the sweetness a bit, cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.
- Brown sugar: To sweeten the topping.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: To enhance all the other flavors in the recipe. I use Nielson Massey Madagascar Bourbon pure vanilla extract.
Homemade Whipped Cream
- Heavy whipping cream: Used as the base for the whipped cream.
- Sugar: To sweeten the mixture.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: 2½teaspoons are used to really bring out a vanilla flavor whipped cream with the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Kosher Salt: To balance the sweetness.
How To Make an Apple Dutch Baby
This recipe is easy but involves some multitasking. Prepare the spiced apple topping and homemade whipped cream while the Dutch baby bakes.
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Make batter.Combine flour, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest, and salt in bowl and use an immersion blender to mix until well combined.
- Bake.Heat 10″ cast iron skillet over high heat for 2 minutes. Lower heat to low and add butter. Once melted, add batter to the skillet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the pancake is golden brown and perfectly puffed.
- Make apple topping.Meanwhile melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add spiced cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Bring mixture to a simmer then add apples. Cover and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and cook until apples appear translucent. Add vanilla, add cook for 1 additional minute. Set aside.
- To Serve.Remove dutch baby from the oven. Top with apple filling then dust with powdered sugar and a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!
Homemade Whipped Cream
- Add very cold heavy whipping cream, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to a small mixing bowl. Use an immersion blender to whip it up until the mixture thickens. Cover and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Serving Suggestions
Serve as-is of pair it with:
- Breakfast potatoes or hash browns
- Bacon or sausage
- Scrambled or fried eggs
How to Reheat a Dutch Baby Pancake
Dutch baby pancakes are best served right out of the oven. But if you find yourself with leftovers, simply place in a refrigerator-safe container for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop it in the toaster oven at 300°F until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called a Dutch baby?
Ironically, a Dutch baby is not from the Netherlands but rather Germany. The name derived from an American restauranteur’s daughter mispronunciation of the term “Deutsch” (the German word for German) as “Dutch.”
What makes the Dutch baby rise?
That beautiful lift that you see happening as the pancake cooks is due to steam! The combination of the hot cast-iron and air that’s whipped into the eggs gives it the height.
Why did my Dutch baby fall?
If your Dutch baby does not rise, a few factors may be the culprit. The ingredients were too cold, the mixture wasn’t mixed well (either too much or too little), the pan wasn’t hot enough, or you needed more butter. Keep in mind that once removed from the oven, the once-puffy pancake will deflate. This is perfectly normal.
Are German pancakes and Dutch babies the same?
Yes. A Dutch baby is just another name for a German pancake.
Tips and Tricks
- It’s best to blend the Dutch baby mixture.This adds air to the eggy batter which results in a light, airy texture once it is baked.
- Use room temperature eggs and milk for the best results.If the ingredients are cold, the pancakes won’t rise.
- Remember to preheat the skillet before adding butter and the pancake mixture.This is a crucial step if you want the Dutch baby to properly puff up. A scalding hot skillet also leads to buttery, crispy edges.
- Do not open the oven while it cooks or it will deflate.
- This is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.
Looking for More Brunch Recipes?
- Strawberry Shortcake with Jasmine Whipped Cream
- How to Make Egg Bites
- Easy Salmon Gravlax Recipe
- Shirred Eggs with Chili Oil
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Apple Dutch Baby
A Dutch Baby (otherwise known as a German Pancake) is a airy, light, sweet (or savory) family-style pancake that's easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit. This version is topped with a warm, spiced apple topping and a dollop of homemade whipped cream–making it a fantastic breakfast treat. Learn why this German apple pancake needs to be part of your recipe repertoire.
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
Total Time 35 minutes minutes
Servings 3 people
Author Jeri Mobley-Arias
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Equipment
Microplane zester
saucepan
10" cast iron skillet
Immersion Blender
Ingredients
Dutch Baby
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup whole milk, room temp
- 2 large eggs, room temp
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2½ tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, I use Nielson Massesy Madagascar Bourbon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, preferably freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt,
Spiced Apples
- 1 pound honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored and cut into ¼-inch thick slices
- ⅓ cup spiced cider, can find in the juice aisle
- 2½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ packed cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, preferably freshly grated
- pinch kosher salt, Diamond Kosher
- ½ teaspooon pure vanilla extract, I use Nielson Massesy Madagascar Bourbon vanilla
Homemade Whipped Cream (optional)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, very cold
- 2½ tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, I use Nielson Massesy Madagascar Bourbon vanilla
- pinch kosher salt
Topping
- powdered sugar
Instructions
Apple Dutch Baby
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Make batter. Combine flour, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest, and salt in bowl and use an immersion blender to mix until well combined.
Bake. Heat 10" cast iron skillet over high heat for 2 minutes. Lower heat to low and add butter. Once melted, add batter to the skillet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the pancake is golden brown and perfectly puffed.
Make apple topping. Meanwhile melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add spiced cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Bring mixture to a simmer then add apples. Cover and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and cook until apples appear translucent. Add vanilla, add cook for 1 additional minute. Set aside.
To Serve. Remove dutch baby from the oven. Top with apple filling then dust with powdered sugar and a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!
Homemade Whipped Cream
Add very cold heavy whipping cream, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to a small mixing bowl. Use an immersion blender to whip it up until the mixture thickens. Cover and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.
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