Heavenly German Apple Puff Pancake
Indulge in this delightful German Baked Apple Pancake, a perfect blend of fluffy pancake and sweet, tender apples that is baked in one glorious dish. This treat isn't just for mornings; it makes a fabulous dessert or a light supper that will satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. With an airy texture and a crispy edge, it's a delicious alternative to traditional apple pie, making it ideal for special occasions or cozy family breakfasts. Simple to prepare yet impressive to serve, this pancake is bound to become a loved recipe in your kitchen.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Large Eggs
3 (Beaten)
Milk
3/4 cup (Whole milk recommended)
All-Purpose Flour
3/4 cup (Sifted)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (Fine sea salt preferred)
Unsalted Butter
1 1/2 tablespoons (Melted for batter)
Thinly Sliced Apples
1/2 cup (Optional, add to batter)
Tart Apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Pippin)
1 lb (Peeled and thinly sliced)
Melted Butter
1/4 cup (For sautéing apples)
Sugar
1/4 cup (Granulated, adjust to taste)
Ground Cinnamon
To taste (Freshly grated preferred)
Ground Nutmeg
To taste (Freshly grated preferred)
Powdered Sugar
To taste (For dusting before serving)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, flour, and salt until completely smooth. If desired, gently fold in the very thinly sliced apples.
3
In a heavy 12-inch ovenproof skillet, melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter is hot and bubbling, pour the pancake batter into the skillet and place it immediately in the preheated oven.
4
Bake for 15 minutes at 450°F. During this time, if the pancake rises in large bubbles, carefully pierce it with a fork or skewer to allow steam to escape.
5
After 15 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the pancake is golden brown and slightly crisp on the edges.
6
While the pancake bakes, prepare the apple filling. In a separate pan, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat, add the peeled and sliced tart apples, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of sugar. Season with ground cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Sauté for 8 to 10 minutes, until the apples are just tender but still hold their shape.
7
Once the pancake is done, carefully slide it onto an oval serving platter. Pour the sautéed apple filling over one half of the pancake and gently fold the other half over the top.
8
For a finishing touch, drizzle with a little melted butter if desired and dust generously with powdered sugar. Serve warm and slice crosswise to enjoy the delicious layers.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Heavenly German Apple Puff Pancake?
This dish is a delightful German Baked Apple Pancake that blends a fluffy pancake texture with sweet, tender apples, baked together in a single dish.
What are the main ingredients for the pancake batter?
The batter consists of 3 large beaten eggs, 3/4 cup of whole milk, 3/4 cup of sifted all-purpose flour, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Can I add fruit directly into the batter?
Yes, the recipe suggests you can optionally fold 1/2 cup of very thinly sliced apples into the batter before baking.
What temperature should the oven be set to initially?
You should preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) for the first stage of baking.
What type of skillet is recommended for this recipe?
A heavy 12-inch ovenproof skillet is recommended to ensure even cooking and safety at high temperatures.
How is the batter prepared?
Beat together the eggs, milk, flour, and salt in a mixing bowl until the mixture is completely smooth.
What is the first step when starting to bake the pancake?
Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in the skillet over medium heat until it is hot and bubbling before pouring in the batter.
How long does the pancake bake at 450°F?
The pancake should bake for 15 minutes at 450°F before the temperature is reduced.
What should I do if the pancake bubbles up during baking?
If the pancake rises in large bubbles, carefully pierce it with a fork or skewer to allow the trapped steam to escape.
To what temperature should I reduce the oven after the first 15 minutes?
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) for the remainder of the baking time.
How much longer does the pancake bake after reducing the heat?
It should bake for an additional 10 minutes until it is golden brown and the edges are slightly crisp.
How many pounds of apples are needed for the filling?
You will need 1 pound of tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Pippin.
How should the apples for the filling be prepared?
The apples should be peeled and thinly sliced before sautéing.
What is the first step in making the apple filling?
Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a separate pan over medium heat.
How much sugar is added to the apple filling?
Add 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to the apples, though you can adjust this amount to your taste.
What spices are used to season the apples?
The apples are seasoned with ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg, with freshly grated varieties preferred.
How long do you sauté the apples?
Sauté the apple mixture for 8 to 10 minutes until they are just tender.
How do you know when the sautéed apples are ready?
They are ready when they are tender but still firm enough to hold their shape.
How is the pancake served once it is done baking?
Carefully slide the pancake onto an oval serving platter.
How do you assemble the filling and the pancake?
Pour the sautéed apple filling over one half of the pancake and gently fold the other half over the top.
What finishing touches are recommended?
Drizzle the pancake with a little melted butter and dust it generously with powdered sugar.
Is this pancake served warm or cold?
It should be served warm for the best flavor and texture.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 4 servings.
Can this be served as something other than breakfast?
Yes, it makes a fabulous dessert or a light supper for everyone's sweet tooth.
What is the texture of the pancake?
The pancake has an airy texture with a crispy edge.
Is this recipe difficult to make?
No, it is described as simple to prepare yet impressive to serve.
What are the suggested apple varieties for this recipe?
Tart apples like Granny Smith or Pippin are recommended for the best flavor balance.
How should the finished pancake be sliced?
It should be sliced crosswise so that you can enjoy the delicious layers of pancake and apple filling.
What kind of butter should be used for the batter skillet?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to be melted in the ovenproof skillet.
What makes this a good alternative to apple pie?
It provides a similar flavor profile with a lighter, airy texture and is much quicker to prepare than a traditional pie.