Easy Homemade Dutch Baby Pancake: Sweet or Savoury

This past Sunday morning was especially wonderful and cosy in the kitchen. Breakfast turned out to be something a little different from the usual toast or eggs. We were out late the night before and everyone slept in longer than usual. I had some time to experiment with a new recipe that was on my mind.

I have actually known about the Dutch baby pancake for years, although I had never made one myself. I first discovered them at a restaurant in Gatineau, Canada, not far from an apartment I used to live in. They served a savoury version with cheese and ham, and I still remember how delicious it was. It was light, fluffy, slightly crispy around the edges, and had a wonderful combination of melted cheese and ham.

I never got around to making one at home, as I assumed it would be laborious and complicated. Then, just this week, a friend mentioned how easy they were to make. That was all the encouragement I needed! I decided to give it a try.

I started with an apple Dutch baby recipe as my inspiration, but decided to experiment with adding savoury elements as well, an extra egg for more protein, two generous hunks of sharp cheddar cheese, a fresh thyme garnish and it turned out absolutely delicious!

It was so simple to prepare, came together quickly, and felt like something a little special without requiring much effort. I already know this is going to be what I serve Christmas morning in our home this year, alongside some crispy bacon. I’m thinking one large sweet version and one large savoury.

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What Is a Dutch Baby?

If you haven’t tried a Dutch baby before, think of it as a cross between a pancake and a Yorkshire pudding. It is made with a simple batter of eggs, milk, flour and butter, then baked in a hot oven until it puffs up beautifully.

Unlike traditional pancakes, which are cooked individually on the stovetop, a Dutch baby is baked all at once in a cast iron skillet. As it cooks, the edges rise dramatically, creating a beautiful golden, puffed-up pancake with a soft centre and slightly crispy edges.

One of the things I love most about this recipe is how little hands-on preparation it requires. You simply mix the batter, pour it into your hot skillet and let the oven do the work. Make sure you use an oven mitt or this cute little contraption when removing the cast iron from oven!

Sweet or Savoury, The Choice Is Yours!

For a sweet Dutch baby:

An apple and cinnamon version is a lovely option, especially during the fall and winter months. You can sauté sliced apples in butter with a little cinnamon before adding the batter, then finish the baked Dutch baby with a drizzle of pure maple syrup.

Other sweet and delicious topping ideas include:

• Fresh berries and a little raw honey
• Sliced bananas and cinnamon
• Warm apples with maple syrup
• Homemade berry compote
• A dusting of powdered sugar with fresh fruit

For a savoury Dutch baby:

This is where things get really fun! My sharp cheddar version was delicious, but there are so many combinations worth trying.

• Sharp cheddar and crispy bacon
• Ham and Swiss cheese
• Spinach, mushrooms and feta
• Cheddar, green onions and fresh herbs
• Goat cheese and caramelized onions

You can experiment with whatever ingredients you have on hand. It is a wonderful way to use up little bits of cheese, vegetables and leftover cooked meat.

A Lovely Breakfast for Christmas Morning

If you have individual cast iron skillets, you could also make smaller Dutch babies and serve everyone their own. I think this would be especially lovely for a fancy holiday breakfast or brunch. Click the blue link to find the smaller pans online.

Otherwise, one large cast iron skillet placed right in the middle of the table makes a beautiful family-style presentation. Everyone can help themselves, and there is very little fuss when it comes to serving. I found these adorable green trivets online that would be a great size for a 12-15″ hot skillet and could be interchangeable for different seasons/occasions.

Why I Love This Simple Homemade Breakfast

I am always looking for ways to make everyday meals from scratch without making life in the kitchen unnecessarily complicated. Repeating breakfast meals over and over just because my family likes them gets so boring, so I like to switch it up sometimes.

This recipe uses simple ingredients that most of us already have in the kitchen, requires very little preparation and can be adapted to suit different tastes. It is also a nice reminder that trying something new doesn’t have to mean taking on an elaborate recipe or spending hours in the kitchen.

Sometimes all it takes is a recommendation from a friend and a quiet Sunday morning to discover something that becomes a new family favourite.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to know what combinations you tried.

Check out some of my other family-friendly wholefood recipes here