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The Controversial German Apple Pancake (Apfelpfannkuchen)

Is it truly German? That’s up for debate—but this apfelpfannkuchen is quick, easy, and undeniably delicious. Oma’s version might just win you over!

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
  
• 1½ cups (360 milliliters) milk or buttermilk
  
• 1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour
  
• 3 tablespoons (39 grams) granulated sugar
  
• ½ teaspoon (3 grams) salt
  
• ½ cup (114 grams) butter
  
• 2 large apples, peeled and sliced
  
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) brown sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
2. Add eggs, milk, flour, sugar, and salt into a large mixing bowl and use a whisk or hand mixer till smooth. 
3. Place butter in 10x13-inch baking dish (see video above for more ideas) and place dish in the hot oven to melt butter.
4. Add apple slices to baking dish and leave in oven until the melted butter sizzles. This can take about 5 minutes. Do not let the apples brown.
5. Remove baking dish from oven and pour batter on top of the apples. Sprinkle with brown sugar (if using). Return to the oven and bake 20 minutes or until golden brown and nicely puffed. Depending on the dish size (see video above), this can take an extra 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Serve immediately.

Notes/Hints:

• Best apples for this recipe? Whatever you happen to have handy in your crisper!
• Sprinkle with ½ cup (50 grams) of sliced almonds after the batter has been poured over the apples.
• Add 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) almond or vanilla extract to pancake batter.
• Add ¼ teaspoon (0.75 gram) ground cinnamon to batter, or top baked pancake with cinnamon sugar (mix ¼ cup (50 grams) sugar with 1 teaspoon (3 grams) ground cinnamon).
• Add some raisins to the apples.
• Try it with pears instead of apples.
• Wanting to make an exceptional German pancake? Try Kaiserschmarrn!

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Recipe updated on May 4, 2025