These homemade dutch babies are a delicious cross between a baked pancake and a buttery souffle. This easy recipe is a brunch favorite!
Oh, Dutch Babies….how do I love thee? All that buttery goodness, clumps of powdered sugar, crispy crust and light-but-dense center, drizzled with real maple syrup and oozing with down-home goodness. Honestly, although my family likes a lot of different things, there is truly only one dish that can make all four of us downright giddy in anticipation. It is the one dish that we always make for special occasions, for guests, birthdays, & holidays. It is hands down my family’s favorite breakfast.
So what are they? I’m not really sure how to even describe it–a cross between a baked pancake and a soufflé, I suppose, but with none of the stress. I don’t think they are even really Dutch, because although my heritage is 100% Dutch, I tried them for the first time courtesy of my very NON Dutch sister-in-law, Jackie. If anyone knows their origin, please feel free to leave a comment below!
No two Dutch Babies are ever quite the same, but barring some unforeseen disaster, they are all delicious (as those of you who have tried them probably already know.) The best part? You are almost guaranteed to have the ingredients on hand! We have yet to find someone who didn’t love them, but I guess you just never know! If you do try it, please let me know what you think!
Homemade Dutch Babies
Here is what you need:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
6 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla (optional)
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
powdered sugar (optional)
maple syrup
Step 1: Remove one rack from your oven or set racks so that there is a lot of space between them. Preheat oven to 425 degrees; Cut the butter into chunks and place butter in 9×13 casserole dish, then place in oven for butter to melt.
Step 2: While the butter is melting, mix eggs with mixer or blender for one minute. Add milk and vanilla while motor is still running, then add flour and cinnamon until well mixed, about 30 seconds more, but do not over mix.
Step 3: Remove dish from oven and pour in egg mixture over hot melted butter; bake until puffy and browned, about 14-20 minutes. (Be sure to watch closely the first time!)
Step 4: Remove from oven and sprinkle with generous dusting of powdered sugar. Serve with a side of maple syrup. It is also delicious with sliced strawberries.

Dutch Babies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 6 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon optional
- powdered sugar optional
- maple syrup
Instructions
Remove one rack from your oven or set racks so there is a lot of space between them. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Cut the butter into chunks and place butter in 9x13 casserole dish, then place in oven for butter to melt.
- While the butter is melting, mix eggs with mixer or blender for one minute. Add milk and vanilla while motor is still running, then add flour and cinnamon until well mixed, about 30 seconds more, but do not over mix.
- Remove dish from oven and pour in egg mixture over hot melted butter; bake until puffy and browned, about 14-20 minutes. (Be sure to watch closely the first time!)
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with generous dusting of powdered sugar. Serve with a side of maple syrup. It is also delicious with sliced strawberries.
Other breakfast recipes you’ll love:
- Overnight Croissant Breakfast Casserole with Easy Sausage Gravy
- Lemon Zucchini Pancakes
- Easy Cinnamon Roll Waffles
PIN FOR LATER:
TAKE BACK CONTROL OF YOUR HOME LIFE
Ever feel like you just can't keep up? Our Living Well Starter Guide will show you how to start streamlining your life in just 3 simple steps. It's a game changer--get it free for a limited time!
If you love this resource, be sure to check out our digital library of helpful tools and resources for cleaning faster, taking control of your budget, organizing your schedule, and getting food on the table easier than ever before.
Ha! Love it!
Your very NON Dutch sister n law
Looks so yummy!
Apple Dutch Babies are yummy too! Fry the apple slices in brown sugar and butter, then top with batter and pop into the oven! Yum Yum
My first experience with Dutch Babies was in a The Original Pancake House in Michigan. They had the plain with powdered sugar and lemon and the apple. Both were wonderful!
Wow that sounds delish! I haven’t tried any of these, but apple anything is my go to eats!
Hi,
I make these with pureed cottage cheese, a bit of lemon juice, then topped with raspberry jam after baking. We call them cheesecake babies. Yummy!
Your cheesecake babies sound wonderful — would you share your recipe with me?
Thanks.
GINNY
Ginny, May I please have the recipe for Cheesecake Babies, it sounded delicious.
Thanks, Raymona
First time I ever had these was at The Original Pancake House. It was served with fresh lemons, powdered sugar and syrup. I only used the lemons and powdered sugar. Delicious. I’ve only made it once myself. When I try to describe it I also have a hard time lol! Thanks for the recipe.
I love Dutch Babies! It is a family tradition of mine as well. Although I’ve never had them with powdered sugar, I am now! I’ve never known anyone to call them Dutch Babies besides my family, everyone else I know calls them German pancakes. But from growing up with my childhood, my kids and I will still call them Dutch Babies!!!
Pennsylvania Dutch is German
Dutch isn’t German. German is from Germany and Dutch is the language we speak in the Netherlands.
I personally have never heard of Dutch Babies but I can’t wait to make those ☺️
Jennifer I overlooked ‘Pennsylvania’ . I’ve searched for Pennsylvania Dutch and you are right! So that explains it . I’ve learned something new ☺️
First, I have to say, I’ve never baked them and I’m a beginner in the kitchen.
My Question is (if you are talking about the Original House Of Pancakes)….
Didn’t they also add quite a bit of lingonberries in the center with the lemon?
I haven’t had it for 30 years but my mouth waters just thinking about that dish !
Do they use lemon in the batter too?
If someone has a copy-cat recipes I will think I died and went to heaven!
Please share 🙂
Dutch isn’t German, but Deutsch is, which has been shortened to Dutch (regarding Pennsylvania Dutch). Those who don’t speak Deutsch in that area of the US found it easier to pronounce as Dutch, so it has been corrupted. Just one of those funny regionalisms.
Dutch is an Americanization of the word Deutsch, which means German.
This was my family’s favorite breakfast at The Original Pancake House when we lived in FL. When we moved I had to go a quest to find a similiar recipe so we could still have them! I have tried many recipes and yours is very close to the one I believe tastes the most like The OPH one. There is a bit of lemon zest in it instead of cinn. I went out an bought 2 cast iron skillets we use to only make these!
We ate them the same way at the Pancake House in Indiana!
Love them!
My husband’s family – from Minnesota- calls these Pannekeoken. They even had a restaurant called The Pannekeoken House near twin Cities. Unfortunately it closed after they moved to FL so I never got the experience the server running to the table with the fresh Pannekeoken before it falls. My entire family enjoys and we always love introducing friends to the tradition. We use an aluminum lasagne pan to make ours. So quick and easy to make. I have found the more I mix the airier and fluffier it is.
Yes, the Original Pancake House in Yorba Linda! I still eat it with lemons and powdered sugar. It is great to have a recipe that tastes as good!