3 eggs, room temperature 1/2 cup milk, room temperature 1/2 cup sifted bread flour or all-purpose flour* 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 7 teaspoons butter Freshly squeezed lemon juice Powdered or confectioners sugar *Bread flour is a high-protein flour. The high protein helps the pancake rise. All-purpose flour may be substituted but the results won't be as spectacular. 1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. NOTE: It is very important that you preheat your oven. Place oven rack on the middle rack of your oven. Place a large, heavy ovenproof frying pan or a cast-iron skillet (I like to use my 10-inch cast-iron skillet), in the oven until hot and sizzling. While pan is heating, prepare your batter. 2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs until light and frothy; add milk, flour, vanilla extract, and cinnamon; beat for 5 minutes more. The batter will be thin, but very smooth and creamy. Using a pot holder, remove the hot skillet from the oven; add the butter; tilting the pan to melt the butter and coat the skillet. 3.. Pour the prepared batter into the hot skillet, all at once, and immediately return the skillet to the oven. NOTE: Use a shallow pan, not more than 3 inches deep (pie pans, cast-iron skillets, oven-proof fry pans, baking dishes, paella pans). Like I said before, I prefer using a cast-iron skillet or pan because it acts as a heat reservoir, retaining the heat and distributing it evenly. 4. Bake approximately 20 to 25 minutes or until puffed and golden brown (bake until the pancake puffs up around the edges - it may puff irregularly in the center). 5. Remove from oven and serve immediately. Either bring the pancake to the table in its pan or slide it onto a serving plate. Once out of the oven, the pancake will begin to deflate. 6. To serve, cut into serving-size wedges and transfer to individual serving plates. Top with your favorite topping and serve immediately. For a classic German Pancake/Dutch Baby, sprinkle with freshly squeezed lemon juice, and dust the top with powdered sugar. Topping Ideas: Sifted powdered (confectioners) sugar Fresh applesauce with a dash of cinnamon Crushed pineapple, drained Whipped cream and sliced fresh strawberries Syrups (maple, your favorite fruit syrup, or honey) Canned pie filling, cold or warm ----------------------------- BIG DUTCH BABIES Great for Sunday Breakfast. FOR 2 TO 3 QUART PAN: 1/4 c. butter 3 eggs 3/4 c. milk 3/4 c. flour FOR 3 TO 4 QUART PAN: 1/3 c. butter 4 eggs 1 c. milk 1 c. flour FOR 4 TO 4 1/2 QUART PAN: 1/2 c. butter 5 eggs 1 1/4 c. milk 1 1/4 c. flour FOR 4 1/2 TO 5 QUART PAN: 1/2 c. butter 6 eggs 1 1/2 c. milk 1 1/2 c. flour Select the recipe proportions to fit your pan, and get out the ingredients you will need. Put the butter in the pan and set it into a 425 degree oven after first dusting the pan with nutmeg, then mix batter quickly while butter melts. Put eggs in blender container and whirl at high speed for 1 minute. With motor running, gradually pour in milk, then slowly add flour; continue whirling for 30 seconds. (With a rotary beater, beat eggs until light and lemon colored; gradually beat in milk, then flour.) Remove pan from oven with the butter melted and pour batter into the hot melted butter. Return the pan to the oven and bake until puffy and well browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve at once with any fruit topping, i.e. canned pie filling, hot fruit, fresh fruit. (Best - fresh strawberries then topped with whipped cream.) Syrups or powdered sugar is good, too. A tip: Have everyone waiting at the table when the Dutch Baby comes out of the oven, while it is puffed up. Also I use cast iron skillet for the cooking. ----------------------------------- DUTCH BABIES 6 eggs 1 1/2 c. milk 1 tbsp. vanilla 1 1/2 c. flour Dash of salt 3/4 stick melted butter When baking Dutch Babies, fluff up like a souffle! Melt butter in cake pan. In separate bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla, flour and salt. Pour in cake pan and bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes. VARIATIONS: Add cheese, cinnamon, bacon, ham, mushrooms. Top with syrup, powdered sugar, cheese, whatever you like best! ---------------------