A Dutch Baby, also known as a Bismarck, German Pancake, or David Eyre's Pancake is a lovely idea to celebrate Mardi Gras. (Eyre said he found the recipe in a 1919 cookbook and Craig Claiborne popularized it by printing it in The New York Times back in 1966.)
Many years ago, I shared my version of this classic recipe with my readers of the Coffeehouse Mysteries, a fun series of culinary mysteries, which I write with my husband. I'm happy to share it again today, with a special chocolate variation for Valentine's Day! ♡
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And speaking of Valentines...
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Here's a Fun Read for Valentine's Week...
Our bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery MURDER BY MOCHA features a puzzling murder in which the creation of a new aphrodisiac mocha drink wreaks havoc on the characters and their love lives. With a special recipe section chock full of chocolate recipes...
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Now let's start that Dutch Baby...
A Note from Cleo
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Cleo Coyle has a partner in
crime-writing—her husband.
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Because a Dutch Baby is really just a giant popover, it includes no artificial leavening (baking powder or soda). A preheated pan in a hot oven is what makes the pancake rise, via steam, which is why your pan needs to be very hot. It’s also why so many recipes tell you to use a cast iron or oven-safe skillet. But not every kitchen has those, and there are far too many pans out there that are not oven-safe (some handles, for instance, will melt in an oven). What to do?
Well, I reasoned, almost every kitchen has a cake pan, and cake pans are certainly safe to place in a hot oven. Hence I give you my "Cleo" version of this classic recipe, a "Cake Pan" Dutch Baby, along with a chocolate variation, just in time for Valentine's Day! ♡
Cleo Coyle'sWell, I reasoned, almost every kitchen has a cake pan, and cake pans are certainly safe to place in a hot oven. Hence I give you my "Cleo" version of this classic recipe, a "Cake Pan" Dutch Baby, along with a chocolate variation, just in time for Valentine's Day! ♡
Cleo Coyle's
"Cake Pan" Dutch Baby
"Cake Pan" Dutch Baby
Makes 1 giant Dutch Baby pancake for a 9-inch cake pan
Ingredients:
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk (whatever's handy, whole, lowfat, even half-and-half)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (experiment with other flavorings: cinnamon, vanilla, or almond extract; orange zest; or see my Chocolate Dutch Baby recipe below)
3 Tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted, I've used both)
Finish with...
Classic topping: Juice from fresh lemon wedges and dusting of confectioners’ sugar
Other topping ideas: Maple syrup, fruit syrup, honey, whipped cream, yogurt, fresh berries, squeeze of juice from an orange wedge, etc.
Step 1 - Screaming hot oven: First place a cake pan in your oven. Then preheat your oven to 450° Fahrenheit. (Note: If you have an older oven, you may need to preheat your oven for a good 30 minutes to get a true reading of 450°-- to read my past post on whether your oven is lying to you, click here.)
Step 2 - Whip up batter: Using a simple hand whisk, blend your eggs, milk, flour, salt, and flavoring(s). Set aside.
Step 3 - Melt the butter: When your oven is fully preheated and your cake pan hot, put on an oven mitt and remove the cake pan from the oven. Throw in your 3 Tablespoons of butter and quickly swirl the pan so the butter does not brown or burn. When most of the butter is melted (not all just most), pour in your Dutch Baby batter.
Step 4 - Bake and serve: Place the pan in the hot oven and bake for 7 or 8 minutes. You may need an extra minute or two, depending on your oven. You should see a dramatic rise in the pancake as in my photos. Remove the pancake from the pan to a serving dish and...
Finish with (depending on your flavorings...) a classic squeeze of lemon wedge and dusting of confectioners' sugar. Or try a squeeze of orange wedge and confectioners' sugar. You might drizzle a bit of maple syrup or honey. Dollop on whipped cream and berries; or try yogurt and fresh fruit.
For my chocolate and mocha
Valentine ♡ variations, scroll down...
Valentine ♡ variations, scroll down...
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A Fun Chocolate Variation
for Valentine's Day...
Chocolate Dutch Baby ♡
In Batter Ingredients -
(Replace 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg with...)
3 Tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (and a cluster of chocolate chips, if you like)
(for mocha version add) 1/8 teaspoon instant espresso powder
Finish with a dusting of...
3 Tablespoons confectioners' sugar mixed with...
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Or try topping with...
Chocolate shavings, whipped cream, even chocolate syrup
Happy Mardi Gras
&
Happy Valentine's Day!
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Happy Valentine's Day!
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Eat (and read) with joy!