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
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Story has it that the name “Dutch Baby” was coined in a family-run restaurant in Seattle called Manca’s Cafe, owned by a gentleman named Victor Manca from about 1900 to the 1950s. A Manca descendant wrote that the name was coined because Victor’s daughter could not pronounce ‘Deutsch,’ the German word for German; and out of her mouth came Dutch and the deed was done. Originally served as three small German pancakes with powdered sugar and fresh squeezed lemon juice; the’ Dutch Baby’ moniker was born. Eventually a regular size serving, labeled the “Big Dutch Baby” gained popularity and is what is so often referred to today.
I’m sure it has something to do with being American and we slanged the word Deutsch and turned it into Dutch so really, German baby.
Made for the first time… I felt that the mixture was not quite right and it did not poof up… It tastes ok, but the potential is there for it to be amazing. I would love to see you post a video for this recipe so we can see the texture… I think this is a recipe that you have to do just right which is hard to do when you have never seen it done.
I am trying with gluten free flour, wish me luck!
As many people were commenting on the Dutch Babies originating in Germany, I thought I’d comment.
The Wikipedia article says they are derived from the German “pfannkuchen”. Pfannkuchen literally translates to pancake and ours are merely a bit thinner than the regular American ones (yet thicker than the French crêpes). Regionally, pfannkuchen may also instead of a pancake refer to a jelly-filled donut.
However, the Dutch babies have been invented in the U.S. as the Wikipedia article explains and such a food in Germany would always qualify as dessert and not as breakfast 😉