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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. In a large mixing bowl, mix the eggs and milk together. Whisk in the flour, sugar and salt until well mixed.
3. Put the butter in a 10x13-inch baking dish and place the dish in the hot oven to melt the butter, which will take a few minutes. Do not let the butter brown.
4. Add the apple slices to the baking dish and leave in the oven until the melted butter sizzles. This can take about 5 minutes. Do not let the apples brown.
5. Remove the baking dish from the oven and pour the batter on top of the apples. Sprinkle with brown sugar, if using. Return the dish to the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and nicely puffed.
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

Updated: February 15, 2026