Light and airy German Apple Pancake is a delicious twist on the usual puff pancake or Dutch baby recipe! This simple recipe makes a German pancake topped with caramelized apples.
German pancakes are as fun as they are delicious! This puffy pancake is different from a traditional American pancake. The pancakes are light, crepe-like pancakes that puff up while they bake.
This Caramelized Apple German Pancake is especially tasty! The cinnamon-sugar apples caramelize in the pan and create a buttery, caramelized topping that bakes right into the pancake.
The pancake is especially good served warm right out of the oven – no syrup necessary. This delicious recipe makes a perfect breakfast for special occasions like Christmas morning, but it’s easy enough to take the place of your regular pancakes on Sunday mornings.
Ingredients notes and substitutions
- Apple slices: I recommend using a baking apple that will hold its shape like a Granny Smiths, gala apples, or Honeycrisp apples.
- Spices: You can use 2 ¼ teaspoons of apple pie spice in place of the spices listed in the recipe.
- Butter: I use salted butter. If you use unsalted butter, add a couple of additional pinches of salt.
- Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar will work.
- Milk: Any milk from skim milk to whole milk will work. You can also use plant-based milk if you would like.
How to make German apple pancake
Here you’ll find the step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe with ingredients is given below.
Step 1: In a small bowl, add the apple slices and spices to a small mixing bowl. Toss apple slices in the cinnamon sugar mixture; set aside.
Step 2: 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 8×8-inch baking dish. Put the skillet or baking dish in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes to heat the butter, or until the butter has melted.
Step 3: Take the pan out of the oven; sprinkle brown sugar over the melted butter.
Step 4: Add apple slice mixture in an even layer over brown sugar. Put the pan back in the oven while you make the remaining batter.
Step 5: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt. Whisk in milk, and continue whisking until no flour lumps remain.
Step 6: Add eggs, one at a time, and whisk until incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 7: Take the cast iron pan out of the oven, and pour batter over the apples. Be sure to use oven mitts as the skillet will be hot.
Step 8: 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.
Step 9: The pancake will start to deflate once it is removed from the oven. Serve warm.
Recipe Tips!
- Baking: Watch the pancake carefully toward the end of your baking time. Since it’s so puffed up, it can go from light golden brown to dark brown quickly.
- Serving: This Dutch baby apple pancake is perfect as-is. It’s also delicious topped with maple syrup, a dusting of powered sugar, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Storage
Dutch babies are best eaten when warm. Any leftover pancake should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days when properly stored in the fridge.
More pancake recipes!
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Caramelized Apple German Pancake
Equipment
- 10-inch cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1 cup thin apple slices peeled
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar divided
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 large eggs
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 8×8-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 apples or Honeycrisps.
- Spices: You can use 2 ¼ teaspoons of apple pie spice in place of the spices listed in the recipe.
- Butter – I use salted butter. If using unsalted butter, add an extra pinch or two of salt.
- Brown sugar – Light or dark brown sugar will work.
- Milk – Any milk from skim milk to whole milk will work. You can also use plant-based milk, like almond milk, in this recipe.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
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adapted from The Kitchn. Originally published 9/18/13.
Reader Interactions
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Comments & Reviews
Crystal Dulaney says
I have a very large cast iron skillet. Huge! Could I double this and still make it successfully?
Kate says
I haven’t tried that, but if the skillet is large enough to hold a double batch, then I would guess that it would work. Good luck!
Janina says
Seriously. SO. GOOD!! My family loves it! I’ve made it several days in a row and my kids have had leftovers in their school lunch and are asking for it again for the 3rd day in a row. I’m glad I tried this recipe, thanks for sharing!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad that it’s a hit with your family. =) Thank you for taking the time to comment!
jean phillips says
Watched the kitchen make this receipe and missed the part where the chef baked the pancake separately. it came out as a huge pancake bowl and the apples were poured into it, I assume one would have to have some
type of baking unit to do this……yes?????
Kate says
No, this type of pancake is usually baked in a cast iron skillet. As it bakes, it puffs up and forms that huge pancake bowl. Right after it’s removed from the oven, it begins to deflate. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask!
Gitte says
My husband loved his Valentine’s breakfast. This will be a keeper!
Kate says
Yay!! I’m so glad! Thank you for coming back to comment! =)
Mary says
How many servings does this recipe make?
Kate says
4 servings
Bill Singer says
Awesome Dutch/German Granny Smith Apple Baked Pancakes
Kate says
Thank you so much! =)
David says
Very good, so decadent and delicious!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad that you liked it. =) Thanks for commenting!
Mary says
One of our favorites! I’ve been making this since the recipe was first published, it’s that good. Thank you!
Kate says
Yay!! I love to hear things like this! Thank you for coming back to comment. =)
Amy says
This is an amazingly good recipe! It is surprisingly easy to make, it also tastes great. Thank you!
Kate says
Thanks! I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you for commenting. =)
Sarah Brodsky says
Ok, I never ever take the time to post a comment on recipes- but wowowow! I was a bit nervous that this would come out too sweet (my German husband always complains about American recipes) but it really was perfect, and so so satisfying! I alternated out reg milk for half rice milk/half vegan creamer and it still came out delicioso! Thanks!
Kate says
I’m so glad you both liked it! Also, thank you for the notes about the milk substitutes! Those sorts of notes are always appreciated as so many people need to make those sorts of substitutions. =)
LeAnn says
I was concerned about making this. I am dairy and gluten free. I made the adjustment by using ghee, amond milk, and Bob Red mills gluten free flour. It turned out amazing!!! I had never made one before, but I know I will be making it again. Thanks for sharing.
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad it worked out for you! I appreciate you taking the time to come back and comment. I get a lot of questions about substitutions to make recipes more allergy-friendly, and it’s always so helpful to hear from people who have successfully made those adjustments.
LeAnn says
Thanks. I have made this 2 days in a row. Oh no! I love this pancake. I need to save it for special occasions.
Kate says
I’m so glad you like it! Two days in a row must mean that it was good. =)
Claudia says
Fyi…ghee is clarified butter-still dairy
Mich says
You are correct, Claudia to announce that ghee is still butter. Although I imagine that while Leann is dairy free, stating her substitute for regular butter and milk is quite helpful for people such as myself that are dairy sensitive. Plain greek yogurt, ghee, and nut milks are how we cook. Not everyone needs to attach a full disclaimer.
Ava Adams says
No it is not dairy, as when you clarify butter (ie: ghee) you remove the milk solids.
Todd says
I’ve made many apple pancakes, and this one is right up there. Thank you for sharing!
Kate says
So glad you liked it! Thank you!
Patti says
I made the pancake for breakfast this morning. VERY GOOD! I was concerned that it would be too much for my 10” skillet, so I used my 12” Lodge Pro Logic skillet instead. I also dusted it with a little powder sugar when I put it on the table. Definitely will be part of my breakfast repertoire.
Kate says
Glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
Patricia says
Surprised my hubby and son with this as they came in from work late this morning. They both really enjoyed it! As did I! Yummy! Next time I’ll make sure to have breakfast sausage on the side for a perfect brunch ???
Kate says
How fun! I’m glad that they enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment! =)
Alex says
Just made these and they were delicious :) My wife wasnt a fan of the texture, but the kids loved it. I baked it for 35min trying to reduce the butter, but there was still a lot left over in the pan when done. Is it suppose to be like that? I’ve never made these before. Thanks! :)
Kate says
Thank you! =) Yes, when making German pancakes, the butter not only coats the pan but also forms a buttery sauce for the finished pancakes.
Cynthia says
Hello kate, last night i was searching for dutch baby pancake recipe and saw your posting , got inspired and surprised my husband by asking him to take the pan out from the oven, he couldnt believe i made it myself. Thank you for the inspiration. Im sooooo happy:))
Kate says
Aww! How fun!! I love hearing things like this, so thank you for taking the time to come back and share! =D
Stephanie Delp says
We are eating your carmalized apple German Pancakes right now! WOW! These are delicious! At first I wasnt sure how it would taste! Its amazing. My 2 year old son is such a picky eater & he ate a quarter of the pan already. I followed your directions to a T. I did slice the apples thin but with a julienne slicer. It was 1 apple. It Turned out fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I was running late making breakfast. We usually have plain German pancakes once a week. I’m really glad that I tried something different because this is sooo good! We will be using this recipe all the time. It’s a perfect recipe for the fall season we are in now too.
Thanks again!
Kate says
Awww! There’s nothing better than finding a recipe that a picky eater will actually eat! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment. You made my day. =)
Muriel J Moore says
I love German pancakes and these look like they would taste good. At this time of year only sweet apples are available, could I use Apple pie filling instead? Would love to find lingonberries like IHOP serves with theirs.
Kate says
Thanks! You could top the pancake with apple pie filling after it has baked if you would like. I think Ikea is the only place that I’ve ever found lingonberries!
Terah Jenkins says
I’ve been wanting to make a German pancake with apples since my brother made one several months ago. I found your recipe and it looked amazing! IT WAS DELICIOUS!!!! Thank you so much!
Kate says
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment! =D
Jenni says
Hello! We made this a couple weeks ago and it was amazing! Do you think it would do well with the recipe doubled in a larger cast iron skillet?
Kate says
Thank you! Glad that you enjoyed it! I would guess that it would if the skillet was large enough to accommodate it, but I haven’t tried it. Good luck! =)