German Apple Pancake

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German Apple Pancake

I’ve mentioned before my love for all the agriculture in Virginia. During the fall, that means loads of apples. I’ve been scooping up different varieties at the farmers market the past few weeks, and we’re planning to go apple picking soon. It’s easy to get obsessed with pumpkin this time of year (says the person who was looking for pumpkin at the end of August), but apples definitely deserve a place in the fall spotlight.

This pancake is the epitome of a perfect fall breakfast. Warm apples, cooked in cinnamon and brown sugar, are enveloped in a batter that’s light and crisp at the edges and custardy in the center. The first time we made this, I was afraid the apples would turn mushy, but slicing them 1/2-inch thick prevents that from happening. You can use any variety of apples in this, but I especially like how tart apples balance out the sweetness of the pancake. It’s delicious on its own or sprinkled with a dusting of powdered sugar.

German Apple Pancake

  • COOK TIME:
  • YIELD: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

  • ½ teaspoon table salt

  • 2 large eggs

  • ⅔ cup half-and-half

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1¼ pounds Granny Smith or Braeburn apples (3-4 large apples), peeled, quartered, cored, and cut into ½-inch-thick slices

  • ¼ cup light or dark brown sugar

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • Confectioner’s sugar, for dusting

Directions
  • 1

    Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and preheat to 500º (425º if using cast iron).

    In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half and vanilla. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ones and whisk until no lumps remain, about 20 seconds. Set aside.

  • 2

    Heat butter until sizzling in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet set over medium-high heat. Add apples, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook, stirring frequently, until the apples are golden brown, about 10 minutes (about 6 minutes if using cast iron). Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.

  • 3

    Working quickly, carefully pour batter around the edge of the pan, then over the center. Place skillet in oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 425º. Bake until the edges of the pancake are golden brown and puffy and have risen above the edge of the skillet, about 18 minutes.

    Remove from oven and loosen edges with a rubber spatula. Invert onto a large plate or serving platter and dust with confectioners’ sugar. Cut into 4 wedges and serve immediately.

SOURCE: Cook's Illustrated, January/February 2003
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COMMENTS: ( 16 )

16 responses to “German Apple Pancake”

  1. Blog is the New BLack says:

    Sinful!

  2. Annie says:

    Wow, that looks amazing!

  3. Beautiful! I love how you served it on the wood cutting board. Rustic and perfect for fall.

  4. Kelsey says:

    I love this, Courtney. These pancakes are great for a small breakfast or brunch gathering, as well, since you can feed multiple people off of just a couple. No standing over the griddle while your guests eat!

  5. brandi says:

    i love making these for company – so much easier than doing regular pancakes and SO much prettier!

  6. Nikki says:

    What a wonderful pancake recipe! Like Kelsey said, it sounds great for feeding multiple people over the individual pancakes that cause you to stand over the griddle while others are sitting and eating. Beautiful photos, too!

  7. Chelsea says:

    This looks like apple pie for breakfast (which I may have happened to consume yesterday. And I bet it makes the whole house smell incredible. Win!

  8. Brianna says:

    Yum. Beautiful photo. This reminds me of something my mom used to make me when I was little. She made it in the summer as well with berries.

    • Courtney says:

      Oh yum! I never even thought about making a variation with berries but will keep that in mind for next summer.

  9. Lizzy says:

    This looks so good. I can just see dripping homemade caramel on top! Wonder if it would work with gluten free flour.

  10. Wish I could rewind or fastforward to the weekend to make this for a relaxing brunch…looks delic!

  11. kyleen says:

    Wow this looks amazing! I didn’t know that you could bake pancakes like that. Yours looks almost like a pie.

  12. Laura says:

    Loving the apples right now here on the Eastern Shore. This looks so delicious. I love the rustic look and presentation. Looking forward to trying this one!

  13. Trish says:

    Is the cast iron pan measurement inside or from rim to rim. beautiful recipe, thanks for sharing

    • Courtney says:

      This pan is 10 inches rim to rim. I never know to if I should use the cooking area or rim to rim measurement, so I stick with rim to rim to keep things uniform.

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