'Dearest Blueberry Dutch Baby Pancake, I have a question to ask of you and it is simply this: where have you been all my life?!'
There are some recipes that fall into the 'love at first sight' category and blueberry Dutch baby pancake is certainly one of those as far as I am concerned. I love just about everything that's baked with blueberries and was salivating from the moment I saw Paula Montenegro's version of this breakfast/dessert on her lovely blog, Vintage Kitchen Notes. It was the first time I had ever seen or heard of a Dutch baby (I know, go figure!), and when I asked Paula if she would mind if I'd blog my take on her recipe, her sweet response was 'Of course not, go ahead.' Thank you, Paula xo.
'I love a good Dutch baby,' said my friend, Maureen Shaw, Orgasmic Chef, when I told her I'd made one of these. Sigh. It seems everybody knows about this divine little number except me. Never mind. There's an old saying that says: 'better late than never' and let me tell you, it's true. Blueberry Dutch baby pancake with white chocolate, welcome to your new best friend. You and me are going to be BFF in the truest sense of the term.
So, what is a Dutch Baby Pancake? Research indicates that many countries make similar skillet/oven cooked pancakes and the 'Dutch' in the title may have originated from Deutsch pfannkuchen or German pan cake. The 'baby' part indicates that the pancake is sometimes cooked in a series of small pans. Having said this, I guess my Dutch baby is in reality a BIG baby. And that's just how I like it!
To my mind, the consistency of a Dutch baby pancake is not dissimilar to a sweet version of Yorkshire Pudding or Popovers, particularly given the beautiful way in which this pancake puffs up. Perfect as a breakfast treat, but equally good as a dessert, it's like a fluffed up, puffy type of clafoutis without being quite as pudding-like. It has also been appropriately described as being 'a cross between a souffle and an omelette'. And best of all, it's quick and simple to make, and completely and utterly delicious. BLUEBERRY DUTCH BABY PANCAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE 3 free-range eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla infused caster sugar 1/2 cup low fat milk 2/3 cup plain (AP) or buckwheat flour* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2/3 cup fresh blueberries 2 tablespoons slivered or flaked almonds 1 level tablespoon white chocolate, grated (optional) pure icing sugar, for dusting 1-2 level tablespoons unsalted butter Preheat your oven to 200 degrees C (fan forced) or 220 degrees C (for an older, slower oven). Whisk the eggs and sugar in a Pyrex bowl, then mix in the milk, flour and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Gently fold in the blueberries. Meanwhile, heat a 9-10 inch cast iron skillet and melt the butter quickly, allowing it to turn 'nut brown' (taking care not to burn it), then pour in the pancake batter. Grate the chocolate over the top and sprinkle over the almonds. Now, pop the skillet into the hot oven and bake the pancake for 15-20 minutes until the edges curl and it has puffed up and is golden brown (make sure you watch this happen, it's rather special!). Remove from the oven onto a trivet. Dust with icing sugar and serve. Note: the pancake will deflate quickly, so best to serve it immediately. However, it is also delicious when cool. This quantity will serve 4-6. * If you use buckwheat flour, you might like to try using soured milk or buttermilk for a lighter pancake. 
Buckwheat BIG 'baby'
The difference with the buckwheat version is that is doesn't puff up in the oven, even when you've added a little baking powder. Made with buckwheat, this pancake has a delicious, nutty flavour and is a little more chewy in texture than the wheat flour version.
Blueberry Dutch baby pancake with white chocolate
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Tell me dear readers, are you familiar with Dutch baby pancakes? Do you make them with blueberries, or with apple and spices? Or have I just introduced you to a delicious new keeper of a recipe?
60 Comments
29/10/2013 11:08:07 pm
When it comes to food it's never, ever too late Lizzy! Your dutch pancake looks ab.so.lu.tely gorgeous! Beautiful pics. I always think of it as the sweet version of yorkshire pudding too. I had originally thought of using buckwheat too, but then decided to go safe as I didn't have much time to do it again. Thanks for your sweet words!
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:52:58 pm
Paula, thank you ever so much... if you hadn't blogged this recipe on your beautiful blog, I may never have discovered it. Thanks again, and thanks for stopping by xo
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:53:18 pm
Thanks Celia... so it's not just me... xo 30/10/2013 08:28:59 am
Lizzy, oh my goodness. If I imagine my perfect treat when we have our breaks in the Cotswolds or Cornwall, then this is what I would be eating. This recipe looks outrageously good! Your pics are stunning...wonderful post xx
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:53:57 pm
Oh Deena, I wish I could offer you a bite sized piece via the inter web! Thank you for your kind words... and for visiting xo 30/10/2013 09:14:27 am
I've never made a Dutch baby either (somehow that sounds really strange, if your take each word literally!) although I have heard of it over the last few years and spied them on Pinterest: I'm sure I will have seen Paula's. This version and especially the buckwheat one sound divine. Really. And so easy. Living in the UK I am (over)familiar with Yorkshire puds, so must give this dessert/breakfast version a shot soon :D Lovely snaps, Miss Liz
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:54:47 pm
Kellie... I hope you will give this a try, even the buckwheat version. It's not overly sweet... and it has blueberries, so it MUST be good. Thanks for your very kind words xo 30/10/2013 10:45:44 am
We haven't made Dutch babies forever and a day! Been thinking it's time to again, and you've just about pushed me over the edge. Terrific job, great photos. Thanks.
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:55:14 pm
Ha, John... glad to have inspired you on the Dutch baby front. Thank you kindly for your nice words. 30/10/2013 11:21:55 am
Holy cow, you must be feeling better if you made one of these - or several of these. I'm in love. Blueberries AND white chocolate do a happy dance in my mouth. The photos are stunning!
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:56:19 pm
Ah, Maureen, your comments made me smile. Let me tell you, these babies with blueberries and white chocolate do a happy dance in my mouth too! I am slowly getting there... I would say I was better... we still need to eat you know : ) Thanks for your very kind words... and I hope you are on the mend. xo 30/10/2013 02:03:49 pm
Beautiful dutch baby, I love the blueberries & white chocolate!
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:56:32 pm
Thanks Laura... me too! 30/10/2013 02:22:47 pm
Dutch baby, Dutch babies.... I was reading through and thinking, 'Gosh, I hope she tells me what a Dutch baby is...' So no, not everyone has heard of Dutch babies. Why not I ask? WHY NOT?!! That looks delicious and, I am having a big party on Saturday night so this looks just the ticket for Sunday morning.
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:57:04 pm
Yay, Fiona, must be us Aussies then that have not heard of this one! If you do make it for Sunday brunch, please let me know if you love it! 30/10/2013 03:02:55 pm
i have this post of paula's bookmarked! i had never heard of dutch pancakes either until seeing paula's. wow, i really need to make this now!
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:57:24 pm
Yes, yes, yes, you absolutely do! : )
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:57:39 pm
Yum, Krista, and thank you! 30/10/2013 07:42:27 pm
MMmm.. love dutch baby pancakes and love it even more with your version of white chocolate.
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:58:13 pm
Kiran, thank you so much, but I cannot take credit... the white chocolate was Paula's idea. Thank you for your very kind words... and welcome to good things : ) 30/10/2013 08:14:37 pm
Hi Lizzy, these look so fluffy and delicious...yum! You have introduced me to something new once again. They might be nice with mulberries which I have plenty of at the moment.
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:58:36 pm
Excellent, Jane... I think it would be divine with mulberries! 30/10/2013 08:38:36 pm
This does look good indeed Lizzy! Blueberries are so yummy X
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:59:01 pm
They are, aren't they Bec?! I can hardly stop eating blueberries. Love them! 30/10/2013 09:12:13 pm
Magnificent recipe and so exquisitely photographed Lizzy.
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:59:15 pm
Oh Mandy, thank you very much xo
Lizzy
1/11/2013 06:59:29 pm
Rosa, thank you very much : ) I saw this on Paula's blog and swooned! I need to buy a skillet that I can put in the oven because I want to make Dutch babies too. I have wanted to try one for so long and this one is fabulous!! I also live in buckwheat flour and buckwheat crêpe territory so have buckwheat flour in the house. How about a savory Dutch Baby?
Lizzy
1/11/2013 07:00:33 pm
Oh Jamie, you must buy that skillet! Mine came from Costco and was under $20... it performs brilliantly, and I have no complaints. Savoury Dutch baby would be yummy too... I am thinking caramelised leeks...
Lizzy
1/11/2013 07:00:52 pm
Adri, thank you! So very kind : )
Lizzy
1/11/2013 07:01:19 pm
Thank you Zsuzsa... and I know you meant to type Lizzy, not 'Kathy'. xo My sincere apologies Lizzy! I guess I had a senior moment. I am so glad you are a Lizzy - I had a great aunt called Lizzi who was a great battle axe. She was a very difficult person and caused a lot of hurt in my family. So every time I heard the name it made me sad, but then I met you and you changed all that. Your sweet disposition and generous spirit worked a transformation - your name now brings on a smile. :-) Thank you.
Andrea
31/10/2013 10:11:28 am
Drooling as I read the recipe and look at the fabulous photos! Think I know what I'm going to have for breakfast on the weekend. Can hardly wait for my blueberry bush to fruit, the berries maybe small, but the flavour intense! Thank you for this fabulous recipe and post! X
Lizzy
1/11/2013 07:01:39 pm
Andrea, thank you... I hope you do make it.... and enjoy xo 31/10/2013 11:47:00 pm
Oooh this looks really yummy. I've never heard of Dutch Baby Pancakes, so a revelation for me. Can't wait to try it. GG
Lizzy
1/11/2013 07:02:04 pm
Ah, GG, another one... so glad to have introduced you to these little yummies! Thanks for stopping by.
Lizzy
1/11/2013 07:02:30 pm
The force works in mysterious ways, Janie... I think you need to make pancakes... NOW : ) 1/11/2013 08:03:01 am
Wow, a first for me Lizzy! Sounds absolutley delicious!! Love blueberries. I had some growing on my trees at home, but not sure what shape they'll be in on my return. Probably eaten by the birds ; )
Lizzy
1/11/2013 07:02:53 pm
Oh, such a shame... but then there is always next season... or from the market xo 1/11/2013 09:49:07 am
Oh my, this does look good. My blueberry loving babies are leaning over my shoulder begging me to make one! :-)
Lizzy
1/11/2013 07:03:13 pm
Aleney... I hope you do.... this is really, really yummy!
Lizzy
2/11/2013 08:27:13 am
Thanks Elizabeth... they do taste amazing : ) 2/11/2013 04:27:48 am
I've never had a dutch baby for breakfast, but they look awesome indeed! The addition of blueberries and white chocolate sounds lovely, so I think I'm going to make one of these for breakfast next weekend :)
Lizzy
2/11/2013 08:27:59 am
Hello Consuelo and welcome : ) Just a little white chocolate... these are so delicious. Have a great day too and thanks for stopping by. To copycat you, I also have to inquire: where have all these been all my life? But I also will have to further moan: when oh when will they come into my life? This looks so very beautiful and delicious, perfect for a nice brunch. I'm not big on white chocolate but in this context, I find it a perfect tough. Gorgeous and mouthwatering post!!!
Lizzy
2/11/2013 08:26:44 am
Hello Azita... on the white chocolate, to be honest, I usually grate the tiniest amount over the top, maybe just a teaspoon, perhaps less. It is a mouthwatering treat... thank you for your kind words.
Lizzy
2/11/2013 08:55:55 pm
Me too, JJ! Thanks for stopping by : )
Lizzy
3/11/2013 06:07:38 am
Zsuzsa, you are so very sweet xo
Lizzy
10/11/2013 07:30:57 am
There's just something about that, isn't there : )
Lizzy
12/11/2013 03:23:37 pm
Thank you, Moya… I love using buckwheat in pancakes, it's yummy! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Hi. I'm Liz. I'm a writer, cook and traveller based in Canberra, Australia.
I love the process of writing and the stringing together of words to form a story borne from the wisp of an idea. I also greatly enjoy cooking and travelling. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes, postcards and morsels from my adventures, conversations with cookery writers and chefs, and news on food and cooking.  Search by topicNB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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