I’ve been road tripping around Northern California all month (have you been following me on Instagram?) and as the weeks have passed, I’ve really been enjoying the change of seasons. The pine needles are dropping, the leaves are turning color, and the days are getting cooler. It’s something we don’t see much of in Southern California, especially with the Indian summers we usually have in September.
But up north, it’s undeniably fall. And one of the first telltale signs of fall is the arrival of sweet, juicy, tree-ripened apples by the bushel. These are the kinds of apples that may be full of worms or holes, or grow a little smaller or appear a little duller, but they’re above and beyond the year-round supermarket apple that looks perfect but tastes a bit like styrofoam.
Our friend in Sebastopol lives on several acres of fruit trees, and right outside his kitchen is a beautiful apple tree grafted with four different varieties of apples. I went fruit-picking on his property one afternoon and filled up my basket (a souvenir from the Sebastopol farmers’ market) with armfuls of apples and even some pears.
The apples have traveled with me from place to place, making the rounds from Sonoma to Marin to Placer Counties and now to Nevada County, where I’m spending my last week on the road. In every house we’ve stayed, I’ve whipped up some version of this puffed apple pancake for brunch (and sometimes with a pear or two thrown in for good measure).
Also called a German pancake, Dutch puff, or Dutch baby, it’s a cross between a souffle and an omelette. The eggs make it puffy and you’ll see the pancake rise to great heights while it’s baking, but it deflates soon after it comes out of the oven. Because of this, it’s best served right away and right on the table in the pan it’s cooked in.
It’s a simple and satisfying meal to make for breakfast or brunch, but it’s also a delicious dessert (especially with ice cream on the side). It’s not as heavy as a regular pancake — more fruity than it is doughy. Two hungry people can easily share this apple pancake, but four can make it a full meal with a side of bacon and potatoes.
Happy first day of fall, friends!
Puffed Apple Pancake
Makes 2 to 4 servings
Ingredients
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/4 cup butter
3 medium apples, cored and cut into 1/4-inch slices
3 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Powdered sugar for dusting
Making Your Puffed Apple Pancake
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Combine the brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
In a deep, ovenproof 10-inch pan (or a shallow, ovenproof 12-inch pan) over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the apples and stir to coat. The apples should just fill the pan to the top. Sprinkle half the brown sugar over the apples and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile in a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and milk until well combined. Whisk in the flour and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon until smooth.
Pour the batter evenly over the apples and sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top.
Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the pancake is puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve the pancake in the pan with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Puffed Apple Pancake
It’s a simple and satisfying meal to make for breakfast or brunch, but it’s also a delicious dessert (especially with ice cream on the side).
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 medium apples, cored and cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Combine the brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a deep, ovenproof 10-inch pan (or a shallow, ovenproof 12-inch pan) over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the apples and stir to coat. The apples should just fill the pan to the top.
- Sprinkle half the brown sugar over the apples and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile in a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and milk until well combined. Whisk in the flour and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon until smooth.
- Pour the batter evenly over the apples and sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top.
- Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the pancake is puffed and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve the pancake in the pan with a dusting of powdered sugar.
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Here’s an apple twist to your pancakes. Good for putting some warmth in the belly once the weather takes a colder… http://t.co/CIp06AA1qS
Blogged on Garden Betty: Puffed Apple Pancake http://t.co/w3e1scyTHk < TY for RT! @ExtravagantG
Ohh im definitely going to try out this recipe! I just went apple picking a few days ago, so this is perfect.
Ahh, I wish I could go apple picking again! There’s nothing quite like plucking one right off the tree.
YUMMY! Wow does that look great!
I’ve made it half a dozen times already this month. Highly recommended!
Since you made it so many times … you should really share 🙂
As apples abound this fall, put them to use in the kitchen with this simple #recipe: Puffed Apple Pancake http://t.co/P5wxyhujEI
Make for breakfast, brunch or dessert! It’s an easy #recipe that’s not too heavy on the belly. Puffed Apple Pancake http://t.co/gRhltjhyxI
Also called a German pancake, Dutch puff or Dutch baby, this pancake doesn’t disappoint. Puffed Apple Pancake http://t.co/ShImfLDCPa #recipe
RT @theGardenBetty: It’s officially apple season! Here’s a sweet brunch #recipe for your fall bounty: Puffed Apple Pancake http://t.co/kndm…
It’s officially apple season! Here’s a sweet brunch #recipe for your fall bounty: Puffed Apple Pancake http://t.co/kndmAOQ1w9
Celebrate the first day of fall with this simple and satisfying meal: Puffed Apple Pancake http://t.co/EPuPULsry5 #autumn #recipe
RT @theGardenBetty: Blogged on Garden Betty: Puffed Apple Pancake http://t.co/w3e1scyTHk
Blogged on Garden Betty: Puffed Apple Pancake http://t.co/w3e1scyTHk