A hot skillet turns a simple egg batter into a puffed pancake with crisp walls and a soft center, finished with lemon and powdered sugar.
Steam does the lifting in a Dutch Baby, pushing the thin batter up the sides of a blazing-hot skillet. The middle stays tender while the rim browns, giving you several textures from one quick blend.
Use a metal skillet that can go in the oven, and have everyone ready before it comes out. The puff settles quickly, but the buttery edges keep their crisp bite.
Method
Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C) with a 10-inch ovenproof skillet inside.
Blend the eggs, milk, flour, sugar and salt until smooth. Carefully add butter to the hot skillet and swirl until melted.
Pour in the batter and bake for without opening the door, until the rim is deeply golden and the center is set.
Drizzle with lemon juice, sift powdered sugar over the top and cut into wedges immediately.
Forkue tips
- Room-temperature eggs and milk help the batter puff quickly when it hits the skillet.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftover wedges for 2 days. Warm on a sheet pan at 350°F (175°C) until the edges crisp; the original tall puff will not return.
Made it?
Tap a star to rate it. It helps the next cook decide.
Kitchen gear
Forkue may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you.Nutrition per serving, estimated
Photo: Wheeler Cowperthwaite, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped and enhanced)
Dutch Baby: FAQ
Why did my pancake stay flat?
The skillet or oven may not have been fully heated. A hot pan creates the first burst of steam that lifts the batter.
Can I use a baking dish?
A metal cake pan can work, but avoid pouring batter into preheated glass. A heavy skillet gives the most reliable browned base.
How do I store and reheat Dutch Baby?
Refrigerate leftover wedges for 2 days. Warm on a sheet pan at 350°F (175°C) until the edges crisp; the original tall puff will not return.
How long does Dutch Baby take?
About 32 min in total: 10 min prep and 22 min cooking.
What do I need to make Dutch Baby?
The key ingredients are eggs, milk, all-purpose flour, butter and lemon juice, plus pantry basics.
Any tips for Dutch Baby?
Room-temperature eggs and milk help the batter puff quickly when it hits the skillet.
