Dutch Babies (2024)

This impressive Dutch baby recipe is simple to make with ingredients you likely already have on hand.

What Is a Dutch Baby?

A Dutch baby is a cross between a pancake and a popover. It’s similar to a large Yorkshire pudding. Unlike other types of pancakes, Dutch babies are baked in the oven instead of fried on the stove. They also don’t contain leaving ingredients, such as baking powder or baking soda.

Despite its name, the Dutch baby is technically an American invention — though it is derived from a traditional German recipe.

Dutch Baby Ingredients

These are the basic pantry staples you’ll need to make this easy Dutch baby recipe:

  • Eggs and milk: This light and fluffy Dutch baby recipe starts with two eggs whisked with milk.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour lends structure and helps hold the batter together.
  • Seasonings: These sweet Dutch babies are flavored with nutmeg and a pinch of salt.
  • Butter: Grease the hot skillet with two tablespoons of butter.
  • Sugar: Dust the finished Dutch baby with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

How to Make a Dutch Baby

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below – but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make a Dutch baby at home:

  1. Place a skillet into the oven while it preheats.
  2. Make the batter.
  3. Pour the batter into the hot, buttered skillet.
  4. Bake until it’s lightly puffed, then dust with powdered sugar.

What to Serve With Dutch Babies

These Dutch babies are delicious when they’re served plain, simply dusted with powdered sugar. You can also consider pairing it with fresh berries, peaches, whipped cream, maple syrup, chocolate-hazelnut spread, fruit jam, or lemon curd.

How to Store Dutch Babies

Dutch babies are best when they’re freshly made. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze them for up to two months.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“I love these,” says Sunny. “I learned to make sure everything is at room temperature, to make it raise up well. Light and fluffy! Homemade simple syrup. So good!”

“This was so easy and delicious,” raves Merlene. “I added lemon zest instead of nutmeg and put all the ingredients in a blender. I used two 6.5-inch mini cast iron skillets and they puffed up so beautifully! When done I added butter, fresh squeezed lemon, and powdered sugar.”

“It was good,” according to Linda Frato Allen. “I like the crepe texture. Made cinnamon apples to put on top. Easy to make.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Dutch Babies (2024)

FAQs

Why didn't Dutch baby puff? ›

If the pancake was a little flat it is most likely that either the oven or the skillet (or other pan) was not hot enough. 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.

Why do they call it a Dutch baby? ›

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.

Why did my Dutch baby collapse? ›

Out of the oven, the Dutch baby will quickly collapse back into the pan — the steam holding it up quickly evaporates in the cooler air of your kitchen.

How do I stop my Dutch baby from deflating? ›

There are two main culprits to flat, sad Dutch baby pancakes: Your oven wasn't hot enough. The hotter your oven, the more puffed your Dutch baby pancake will be. Make sure to preheat the oven for at least 10 minutes before baking the batter.

What is the difference between Dutch baby and clafoutis? ›

While Dutch pancakes (and crêpes) are made with a similar batter of eggs, milk, flour, and sugar, their ratios and cooking methods make a significant difference in the final product. Dutch pancakes bake up crispy, while clafoutis has a tender, almost custard-like texture.

Why does my Dutch baby taste eggy? ›

If you would like the inside of the finished dish to be a little less "egg-y" then cut the number of eggs down to 3, and many many reviewers also found that just 3 Tablespoons of butter worked better for them.

What's the difference between a Dutch baby and a pannekoek? ›

Both Netherlands-style Pannenkoeken and Dutch Baby pancakes make a wonderful breakfast option as the batter can be made the night before and, in the case of the Dutch Baby, the pancake is baked in the oven, making it a relatively hands-off recipe.

Can you reheat a Dutch baby? ›

Reheating: To reheat leftovers you can cut out a piece, pop it in the microwave and boom, you have breakfast ready to go. If you aren't a fan of the microwave you can pop it back in the oven until it is heated through.

What country did pancakes originate from? ›

600 BC - The first recorded mention of pancakes dates back to ancient Greece and comes from a poet who described warm pancakes in one of his writings. 1100 AD – Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) becomes a traditional way to use up dairy products before lent – the pancake breakfast is born.

How do Dutch babies sleep? ›

Many Dutch parents emphasize rest and regularity for their infants. 8-Month-old Dutch babies slept 1.67 h more than U.S. babies. They also showed a more mature pattern of Quiet Sleep. The differences correspond to parental beliefs and practices.

What does a Dutch baby taste like? ›

Dutch Baby Pancakes taste like Crepes but in pancake form. The batter puffs up to form a billowy crust with a custard-like center. We also included instructions for making a Berry Dutch Baby and even a Double Dutch.

How to eat Dutch baby pancake? ›

It's wonderful simply with sugar, syrup or preserves, but you also can serve it with fresh berries and whipped cream, apple slices cooked in butter and sugar or banana slices lightly cooked then dusted with brown sugar.

Does a Dutch baby have to be made in a cast iron skillet? ›

A Dutch baby is a puffy pancake baked up in sizzling butter in a cast-iron skillet. But you can also bake them in cake pans or a regular oven-safe skillet. Or for savory, individual portions try my Popovers Recipe!

Why aren't my German pancakes fluffy? ›

Why Didn't My Dutch Baby Puff Up? Like popovers and Yorkshire pudding, the thing that gives Dutch babies their signature puff is steam. In order for that steam to work the pancake into its signature peaks and valleys, you need two things: enough air in a well-developed batter and a piping-hot pan and oven.

What is the history of a Dutch baby? ›

The most well-acknowledged origin story of Dutch baby pancakes was birthed in a Seattle diner called Manca's Cafe. According to the Everett Herald, It happened when Italian-American Victor Manca created them using custom-made Dutch baby pans as a quick turnover breakfast item.

What is it that makes the Dutch baby rise? ›

Like popovers and Yorkshire pudding, the thing that gives Dutch babies their signature puff is steam. In order for that steam to work the pancake into its signature peaks and valleys, you need two things: enough air in a well-developed batter and a piping-hot pan and oven.

Can you heat up a Dutch baby? ›

The microwave is the easiest way to heat these up, but can be done in the oven if you are anti-microwave. Make this weekend extra special with a dutch baby pancake fest!

What happened to Dutch father? ›

He claims that his father died in the Civil War while fighting for the Northern side. More specifically, he says that it occurred in a field within Pennsylvania. This likely means that Dutch's dad perished in the Battle Of Gettysburg. As such, Dutch would've been under ten years old when he lost his father.

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