Sunday Morning Tradition - German Oven Pancakes
I am pure Chinese, born in Hong Kong, and my husband is German-Scottish born in Buffalo, NY. Our household is full of cultural traditions from both sides of the family — from Chinese New Year red envelopes and cooking noodles for birthdays (signifies long life) to pumpkin-shaped Halloween cookies tied with an orange yarn, knitted Christmas stockings, and shortbread on Christmas morning.
It’s so wonderful to have certain family rituals made special, passed on from generation to generation. There is something very comforting about celebrating your family legacy.
My toddlers don’t fully understand the word “tradition” quite yet, but they know to expect to make German Oven Pancakes on Sunday mornings. It’s an incredibly easy recipe that even the youngest can help out with. The pancake batter bakes in a skillet in the oven. You never know what comes out…sometimes the pancake is flat with a high curved edge like the photo, sometimes it has puffs, valleys and crevices perfect for hiding chocolate chips. It’s fun to gather in front of the oven window and watch the pancake rise and form. The edges are light and crisp, perfectly browned. We usually top it with strawberries and cream and eat it right out of the skillet, tearing pieces with our hands. Sometimes we just rip pancake pieces and dip in maple syrup. It’s our Sunday morning family tradition.
What are some of your traditions in your family?
German Oven Pancakes
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, sifted
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon of salt
2 tablespoons melted butter
Preheat oven to 450F
1. Lightly beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in the milk, melted butter, salt and sugar. Gradually add flour to egg mixture, a spoonful at a time. You can use an electric mixer or have your child help you by spooning the flour in while you whisk. Make sure the flour is well incorporated in the batter with no lumps. Let batter sit for 10 minutes.
2. Pour batter in a greased 9-11″ oven safe skillet. Bake 18-20 minutes. It’s fun to turn on the oven light and watch the pancake form!
Top with berries and whipped cream. You can also mix chocolate chips in the batter.
Thanks so much for this recipe. My family is german and my aunt used to make these pancakes for us when I was little.
I’ve tried a few recipes, but this is the closest to her version. She always served them with hot apple slices cooked in butter, sugar and cinnamon.