How to Make a Dutch Baby Pancake

What causes more brunch drama than running out of mimosas? How about coming to the table with a super puffy, crispy, tender, melt-in-your-mouth Dutch Baby pancake — hot from the oven and Instagram-ready. Do it and watch the jaws drop every time. But for all its fabulous good looks, a Dutch Baby pancake is deceptively easy to make. Watch the video up top and get the recipe and tips below as Nicole McLaughlin, aka NicoleMcmom, takes you through the process step by simple step. Do pay attention to the tips if you want the biggest, puffiest, most awe-inspiring Dutch Baby pancake. Who wouldn't want that kind of drama?

What Is a Dutch Baby Pancake?

A Dutch Baby pancake is an oven-baked pancake that resembles an oversized popover or Yorkshire pudding. Typically baked in a skillet, a Dutch Baby pancake is also called a puff pancake, pfannkuchen (German pancake) or nöckerl (Austrian pancake). According to food lore, the name "Dutch Baby" was coined by the daughter of a Seattle restaurateur, whose now-shuttered Manca's Cafe served German (or deutsch) pancakes. "Deutsch" evolved into "Dutch," and hey, we love a good origin story.

How to Make a Dutch Baby Pancake

Try this recipe for Vanilla Dutch Baby.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 eggs
• ¾ cup milk, room temperature
• ¾ cup flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, or to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place butter in an ovenproof pan or cast iron skillet and place in the oven.
2. Meanwhile, combine eggs and milk in a bowl. Add flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt and whisk for 1 minute to remove lumps.
3. Remove hot pan from oven and swirl melted butter to coat. Pour batter into the hot pan and return it to the oven.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until the pancake is puffed in the center and golden brown on the edges, 20 to 25 minutes.
5. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve immediately.

Nicole's Top Tips

• Use room-temperature milk and eggs to ensure a fluffier, airier pancake. See How to Bring Eggs to Room Temperature Quickly and Safely.
• Mix ingredients in a food processor or blender to make the batter extra smooth.
• Allow batter to rest while you heat your pan so it's super hot. This gives the flour time to absorb the liquid.
• Toppings can be sweet or savory. Go classic with confectioners' sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice, or top with berries, fried apples, syrup, whipped cream, nuts, jam, or Nutella. Savory toppings can include crème fraîche, smoked salmon, thinly sliced ham, or herbed cheese.
• Dutch Baby pancakes start deflating as soon as you pull them from the oven, so get your photos quickly and be ready to serve hot from the skillet.

Browse our entire collection of baked pancake recipes.

You can connect with Nicole as NicoleMcmom on Allrecipes and on Instagram @nicolemcmom.

More tips, tricks, and ideas from Nicole:

• 6 Easy Summer Desserts That Won't Heat up Your Kitchen
• How to Make Classic Southern Fried Chicken
• How to Make the Two Most Popular Pasta Salads on Allrecipes
• How to Make and Use Pickled Red Onions
• How to Make the Easiest Chocolate Cake From Scratch