German Pancake Recipe: Lori's gefüllte Flinsen (Crepes) (2024)

FAQs

Are crepes and pancake batter the same? ›

The main difference is that pancake batter has a raising agent in it, such as baking powder or baking soda, and crepe batter does not. This means that pancakes are thicker and fluffy while crêpes are thin and flat.

While these pancakes are derived from the German pancake dish, it is said that the name Dutch baby was coined by one of Victor Manca's daughters, where "Dutch" perhaps was her corruption of the German autonym deutsch. Manca's Cafe claimed that it owned the trademark for Dutch babies in 1942.

How are German Pancakes different than American Pancakes? German pancakes use a whole lot more eggs and no added leavening agent. German Pancakes are also baked in the oven to a golden perfection.

The German pancake, sometimes called a Dutch baby, is a study in contrasts: The edge of the skillet-size breakfast specialty puffs dramatically to form a tall, crispy rim with a texture similar to that of a popover while the base remains flat, custardy, and tender, like a thick crêpe.

Whole Milk & Water: Crepe batter needs liquid. Using all water created a limp and lacking crepe, while using all milk created a heavy crepe. For the best texture, use a mix of both. Eggs: As they do in pancake batter, eggs provide structure and bind all the ingredients together.

According to the traditional recipe of crepes, buckwheat flour, which is healthy and gluten-free, is used to make them. Because they are thin, they have fewer calories, fat, and sugar. If you are looking for protein-rich food, fill them with Greek yogurt or nut butter.

What's the difference between a Dutch pancake and an American pancake? A Dutch pancake is usually larger and much thinner than the thick and fluffy American pancakes. If you order a Dutch pancake at PANCAKES Amsterdam, you will get a delicious thin pancake with a diameter of 32 centimeters.

I was still curious about the origins of what I called a “Dutch Baby Pancake.” A bit of sleuthing revealed that the dish is actually of German origin. Sometimes referred to as a Bismark, these pancakes were first served in the States in the early 1900s at Manca's, a diner in Seattle that eventually closed in the 1950s.

France – Crêpes

You can't possibly make a list of the world's best pancakes and not include France. Crêpes are unavoidable throughout the country. There are two main types of French crêpes – sweet ones (crêpes sucrées) and savoury ones (crêpes salées). Savoury crêpes are commonly known as 'galettes'.

In the U.S., we refer to them as "silver dollar" pancakes, as they are roughly the size of the old-school coin. While the batter is very similar to traditional griddled pancakes, silver dollar pancakes are usually served beyond the breakfast table.

Why are my German pancakes not fluffy? ›

If the pan isn't hot enough then the liquid does not heat up and create the steam quickly enough and so the flour will cook through and set before the pancake can rise. We suggest that you give the oven and skillet plenty of time to heat up thoroughly before adding the batter.

Pancakes are sometimes called hoecakes in the South. Most Southerners are familiar with lacy cornbread, aka hot water cornbread. A hoecake is a rustic fried version of a pancake made with ground cornmeal.

In the West, blini traditionally refers to small savory pancakes made with leavened batter. In modern Russian, the term most often refers to pan-sized leavened thin pancakes, although smaller leavened pancakes are also called blini.

The common word is “crêpe”. But if you refer to American or English ones, people use the English one. Otherwise, if you make pancakes with buckwheat only or a mix of wheat and buckwheat, you'll say “galettes” or “ crêpes salées”.

Unlike pancakes, crêpes are much thinner because they aren't made with baking powder, as are pancakes. Since they are thinner, they tend to be a tad crispier as well. This makes the crêpe an excellent vehicle for practically any filling or topping you like, sweet or savory.

Just as it does with crepes, a crepe pan is ideal for turning out stacks of perfect, plump pancakes! As you would expect, a crepe pan is a fast and practical tool with which you can cook and flip your pancakes due to its lowered lid and smaller mass.

And here is where the crepe maker earns its keep. Because it is essentially a round, electric, nonstick griddle, which as it turns out, is a pretty awesome thing to have on hand. From eggs and bacon to quesadillas and grilled cheese, from pancakes to omelets, this thing is wildly versatile and super easy to use.