I can’t say I make a lot of breakfast foods. I usually keep breakfast pretty simple – eggs, fruit, the occasional bacon on a Sunday morning. Pancakes and waffles and french toast and all those yummy treats I usually reserve for breakfasts out as a special treat. But after making this super easy vanilla dutch baby, I might be making variations of these all the time now.
I was a baker before I could “cook” very well. I’d bake cakes and cookies and pastries and tarts and muffins almost weekly. In some ways, it might be my comfort “go to” food making method. I find the way that eggs and flour (a maybe a few other things) can transform into something fluffy, crispy, soft, dense, big or little amaze me. These base ingredients of baking fascinate me, and maybe one day I’ll learn all the fancy science behind it.
This was my first time experimenting with a dutch baby at home and I was pleasantly impressed with how easy it was! It requires such simple ingredients yet yields impressive results. Making this as a breakfast for two, or a dish to accompany a larger brunch feast will produce “oohs” and “ahhs” because it looks so fancy. But really, it’s eggs, flour and milk. I opted for a classic vanilla dutch baby this time because I was feeling like something a little bit lighter, but you can cook it with fruit, or chocolate, or other flavors should you choose.
This giant pancake is so light and fluffy, and it puffs up in a very dramatic fashion when you pull it out of the oven. It does sink a sit cools, but it doesn’t make it look any less delicious! The tall edges crisp up and the center stays warm and soft. The combination of textures makes it a true treat to eat. You can top this really easy vanilla dutch baby with just about anything – fruit, chocolate, this easy vegan Nutella, maple syrup or honey, or even some savory goodies. It is incredibly versatile, and requires such little attention. Let me know if you give it a try, and tell me what you like to put on your dutch baby!
Easy Vanilla Dutch Baby
Ingredients
- 2/3 Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2/3 Cup Milk, room temperature
- 3 Eggs
- 1 Tbsp. White Sugar
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- 1 pinch Salt
- 3 Tbsp. Butter
Instructions
- Place cast iron skillet, or other ovenproof skillet, in the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees F. Add the flour, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt to a blender. Blend until well combined, about 1 minute.
- Carefully remove preheated pan from oven. Add the butter to the pan and swirl it around until it is melted and coating the bottom and edges of the pan.
- Pour the batter directly into the pan. Carefully place in the oven and bake at 400 degrees F for about 20-22 minutes, or until the edges are a golden brown, and the center is puffed.
- Remove from oven and top with your desired toppings. Cut into slices (or halves) and serve warm.
