Sweet treats in February’s kitchen

Why not have something a bit different for Pancake Day this year – try this German inspired recipe called Apfelpfannkuchen. It’s a creamy oven baked dish made with a batter and apples which I’ve caramelized in the oven first.

Apple pancake

We’ve still got a few apples left in store from the winter and I’m using a cooker in this recipe as they are tasting a lot sweeter now they’re a bit older.

German Caramelized Apple Pancakes

Takes about 45 minutes. Serves 4-6

50g butter

2 large apples or 1 large cooker

2 tblspns granulated sugar

1tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground ginger and mixed spice

3 tblspns brown sugar (for the apples)

75g plain flour

35g brown sugar (for the batter)

3 large eggs

140ml milk

½ tsp vanilla essence

3 tsp caster sugar & 1 tsp cinnamon (optional extra for cinnamon sugar!!)

  • Cut the butter up into small pieces and put in the bottom of an ovenproof shallow dish – approx 23cm across and 4cm deep. Use a skillet, ovenproof frying pan, cake tin or baking dish. Pop in a preheated oven 220C (fan200) gas 7 for 3 or 4 minutes to melt the butter.
  • Put the granulated sugar in a bowl and mix in the spices. Peel, core and cut the apple into thick slices and toss in the spiced sugar.
  • Apple pancake - cook apples
  • When the butter is melted sprinkle over the brown sugar then layer the apple slices evenly in the dish. Pop back in the oven for about 10 minutes whilst you make the batter.
  • Sieve the flour and salt into a bowl then mix in the sugar. Make a well in the centre and add the eggs. Use a fork to break up the eggs and slowly draw in the flour. Start to add the milk gradually, switching to a balloon whisk to finish mixing together.
  • Apple pancakes add batter
  • When the apples are softened take out of the oven and pour the batter all over the apples. Pop straight back in the oven and leave to cook for about 15 minutes until the batter is puffed up round the edges and golden brown
  • Sprinkle with some cinnamon sugar if you want to and eat straight away.

This baked pancake does need eating straight away so tuck in with some ice cream and maybe a bit of golden syrup!