Dutch Baby

This giant pancake appeared on the cover of Sunset magazine early in 1971 and quickly became a Prince Family favorite. It comes from the oven looking like a fragrant range of mountains and must be eaten immediately, as it begins to deflate quickly.

Ingredients:

Serves 2 to 3

• 1 c. milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 c. flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. butter
• To garnish, use any or all of these - powdered sugar, syrup, lemon wedges, fresh fruit, preserves, creme fraiche, sour cream, whipped cream, etc., etc.

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Cut butter into chunks and place in 10-in. iron skillet or 9" by 13" pan; put in oven to melt butter.
• Milk and eggs should be at room temperature.
• Put milk in blender; add eggs one by one and blend thoroughly.
• Add salt and flour, slowly, until mixture is thick and smooth.
• When oven is heated and butter in pan is fully melted, swirl pan to be sure all sides and bottom of pan are coated and pour batter into pan.
• Bake for 15 - 25 min., until mountainous and golden brown. Check often near end of baking time.

You can dress up this pancake by adding sliced apples or pears to the pan as the butter is melting, sauteing them slightly before adding the batter. Firm fruits work best; save the juicy ones to put on top when the pancake's done.

I've also found the batter freezes well, so it's good for making ahead. I make a couple of batches & take them to our cabin at Echo Lake, where we don't have a blender.