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    Home » Breakfasts » Caramelized Apple German Pancakes

    Caramelized Apple German Pancakes

    Published: Sep 18, 2013 · Modified: Apr 26, 2022 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Caramelized Apple German Pancake

    Light and airy Caramelized Apple German Pancakes are a delicious twist on the usual puff pancake or Dutch baby recipe!

    Caramelized apple German pancake next to apples and a plate of bacon.

    German pancakes are as fun as they are delicious! The pancakes are light, almost crepe-like pancakes that puff up while they bake. These Caramelized Apple German Pancakes are especially tasty. 

    The cinnamon-sugar apples caramelize in the pan and create a buttery, caramel-y topping that bakes right into the pancake. The pancake is especially good served warm right out of the oven - no syrup necessary.

    Ingredients for caramelized apple German pancakes in dishes.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    • Apple slices - I recommend using a baking apple that will hold its shape like a Granny Smith or a Honeycrisp.
    • Granulated sugar
    • Ground cinnamon
    • Ground ginger
    • Ground nutmeg
    • Allspice
    • Butter - I use salted butter.
    • Brown sugar - Light or dark brown sugar will work.
    • All-purpose flour
    • Salt
    • Milk - Any milk - skim milk to whole milk - will work.
    • Vanilla extract
    • Large eggs

    How to make caramelized apple German pancakes

    Apple slices coated with spices in a white mixing bowl.

    In a small bowl, toss apple slices, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice together; set aside.

    Cut the butter into four pieces, and place them in a deep cast iron skillet. I use this 10-inch cast iron skillet or an 8x8-inch baking dish. Put the skillet or baking dish in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the butter has melted.

    Apple slices in butter and brown sugar in a pan.

    Take the pan out of the oven; sprinkle brown sugar over the melted butter. Add apple slice mixture evenly over brown sugar. Put the pan back in the oven while you make the remaining batter.

    In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt. Whisk in milk, and continue whisking until no flour lumps remain.

    Egg in batter in a white mixing bowl.

    Add eggs, one at a time, and whisk until incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.

    Baked caramelized apple German pancake in a pan.

    Take the pan out of the oven, and pour the batter over the apples. Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until the center is set and sides are lightly browned.

    >>Top tip: Watch the pancake carefully toward the end of your baking time as it can go from lightly browned to dark brown quickly.

    The pancake with start to deflate once it is removed from the oven. Serve warm.

    More pancake recipes!

    • German Pancakes
    • Sour Cream Pancakes
    • Cottage Cheese Pancakes
    • Whole Wheat Pancake Recipe

    If you’ve tried this caramelized apple German pancake recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Caramelized apple German pancake next to apples and a plate of bacon.

    Caramelized Apple German Pancake

    Dutch baby puff pancake with caramelized apple topping.
    5 from 19 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 424kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup thin apple slices peeled
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar divided
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon allspice
    • ¼ cup butter
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup milk
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 5 large eggs
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Heat the oven to 350 F.
    • In a small bowl, toss apple slices, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice together; set aside.
    • Cut the butter into four pieces, and place them in a deep cast iron skillet. I use this 10-inch cast iron skillet or an 8x8-inch baking dish.
    • Put the skillet or baking dish in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the butter has melted.
    • Take the pan out of the oven; sprinkle brown sugar over the melted butter.
    • Add apple slice mixture evenly over brown sugar.
    • Put the pan back in the oven while you make the remaining batter.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt.
    • Whisk in milk, and continue whisking until no flour lumps remain.
    • Add eggs, one at a time, and whisk until incorporated.
    • Stir in the vanilla extract.
    • Take the pan out of the oven, and pour the batter over the apples.
    • Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until the center is set and sides are lightly browned.
    • The pancake with start to deflate once it is removed from the oven. Serve warm.

    Video

    Notes

    • Apple slices - I recommend using a baking apple that will hold its shape like a Granny Smith or a Honeycrisp.
    • Butter - I use salted butter.
    • Brown sugar - Light or dark brown sugar will work.
    • Milk - Any milk - skim milk to whole milk - will work.
    • Nutrition facts have been estimated.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 241mg | Sodium: 501mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 765IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 2.2mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!

    adapted from The Kitchn

    Originally published 9/18/13. Updated with additional photos and tips 12/17/21.

    « White Chicken Enchiladas
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    47.0K shares
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tracy

      January 03, 2022 at 7:18 am

      5 stars
      I have made this recipe several times now and everyone loves it. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Kate

        January 03, 2022 at 10:09 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    2. Dawn

      March 28, 2021 at 7:21 am

      5 stars
      This was absolutely delicious. I made it exactly as the recipe said to and it turned out beautiful and tasted amazingly good. I’ll definitely be making this again and again.

      Reply
      • Kate

        March 29, 2021 at 12:54 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    3. Pat Mascarello

      February 21, 2021 at 11:46 am

      I made this recipe and it tasted ok. Unfortunately the recipe didn’t have baking powder or baking soda to help it puff up.

      Reply
      • Kate

        February 22, 2021 at 12:02 pm

        This type of pancake is similar to a crepe and doesn't have leavening like baking soda or baking powder in it.

        Reply
    4. Ellie

      January 19, 2021 at 8:48 am

      The flavor of this was amazing, but we were disappointed with the texture. I questioned the ratio of flour to the eggs and milk, but followed the recipe exactly. The end result was more of a dense custard texture, definitely not a cakey pancake texture. I might make the apple mixture again and use it with a more traditional pancake batter.

      Reply
      • Kate

        January 19, 2021 at 1:50 pm

        German pancakes have a more crepe-like texture. They aren't a traditional American pancake, so it sounds like that was where the confusion came in.

        Reply
    5. Kathy

      January 10, 2021 at 9:35 am

      5 stars
      Best recipe and comes out perfect every time!

      Reply
      • Kate

        March 12, 2021 at 5:47 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    6. Ericka

      January 03, 2021 at 11:29 am

      5 stars
      I've tried a few apple pancake recipes & while they were all good, this version is by far the best ny family & I have tasted! Thank you for sharing it :)

      Reply
      • Kate

        January 05, 2021 at 2:00 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    7. Angie

      January 01, 2021 at 11:31 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and simple. Love this recipe

      Reply
      • Kate

        January 01, 2021 at 5:48 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    8. Karen

      November 01, 2020 at 8:26 am

      I have used fresh cranberry instead apples used almond extract to replace vanilla, even added toasted coconut . Came out delicious .

      Reply
      • Kate

        March 12, 2021 at 5:39 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    9. Jake

      October 26, 2020 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      Awesome recipe. Whole family loved it!! Thanks for sharing.?

      Reply
      • Kate

        October 28, 2020 at 6:42 pm

        Thanks so much! Glad you liked it! =)

        Reply
    10. Teresa

      October 21, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      I've made several versions of a German Pancake/Dutch Baby and this one turned out beautifully! A big hit at our house!

      Reply
      • Kate

        March 12, 2021 at 5:44 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    11. Brndismuke@yahoo.com

      March 09, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      I made them for the first time and everyone just loved them.

      Reply
      • Kate

        March 10, 2020 at 9:09 am

        That's great! I'm so glad that it was a hit. =) Thanks for commenting!

        Reply
    12. Mrs Zedi

      February 15, 2020 at 11:52 am

      I was REALLY looking forward to having the time to make this. Since there's diabetes in my family and I prefer things less-sweet, i used the full amount of brown sugar and skipped the 2 tablespoons of white sugar in the apple mixture. I put 2 tablespoons sugar in the batter per the recipe. It looked gorgeous when I took it out, but it is waay too sweet for a pancake! It could be a dessert, but it's verging on candy sweet. I'd suggest a recommendation of using zero-4 tablespoons of sugar. In my opinion, it would have been perfect with just the brown sugar. Then maple syrup or confectioners' sugar can be added by the sweet-tooths! I will be trying this again with the changes I just suggested.

      Reply
      • Kate

        February 16, 2020 at 8:39 pm

        Great! I'm glad that you liked it and can adjust it for your tastes. =)

        Reply
    13. Pat

      November 24, 2019 at 9:10 pm

      Can you prepare any of this ahead of time?

      Reply
      • Kate

        November 25, 2019 at 8:48 pm

        I haven't tried to make the batter or the apple mixture ahead of time to say for certain.

        Reply
    14. Amy

      November 18, 2019 at 7:29 am

      Could this be doubled and baked in a 9x12 baking dish?

      Reply
      • Kate

        November 18, 2019 at 8:58 pm

        Hi! I haven't tried it with this recipe, but I've doubled my regular German pancake and baked it in a 9x13.

        Reply
    15. Jamie

      October 27, 2019 at 6:59 pm

      Does this not require baking soda?!? I have mine in (without baking soda per the recipe) and it’s not puffing up. I’m leaving it in but a little concerned that something was missed on this recipe

      Reply
      • Kate

        October 28, 2019 at 9:11 am

        No, Dutch babies and German puff pancakes don't use a chemical leavener like baking soda or baking powder.

        Reply
      • Serena Haak

        September 08, 2020 at 4:35 pm

        I know that dutch babies puff up more if you beat the eggs quite a bit in a blender before mixing in the rest of the ingredients, maybe that step would give you a lighter and taller pancake?

        Reply
    16. Angie A

      September 25, 2019 at 6:07 am

      5 stars
      Delicious!!! Thank you for this great recipe!

      Reply
      • Kate

        September 25, 2019 at 9:52 pm

        Thank you! I'm so glad that you liked it. Thanks for commenting!

        Reply
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