German Pancakes.

So a Christmas morning tradition in our house growing up was revived this year. Well, I had good intentions anyway. German Pancakes. These are more souffle than pancake, but packed with egg protein mom wants and the sweet treat that everyone expects on Christmas morning. Now that I think about it, from a spiritual perspective, I should move this tradition to Spring Equinox, otherwise known as Ostara, or Easter to the Christians in the reading bunch. I digress. I didn't make them Christmas morning. Some Christmas Miracle occurred and the kids didn't wake us until 10:30. So, it was lunchtime before we got around to eating and I put the pancake fixins aside. Voila, dinner tonight. German pancakes go a little something like this:

8 eggs
1C half and half
1/2C milk
2C flour
1/4C powdered sugar
1/2t salt

(This batch will make 4 pancakes, which is exactly how many pie pans I have. Since they are to be eaten fresh I don't usually double the recipe, choosing instead to make just 4 at a time so they can be eaten hot.)

topping possibilities: lemon juice, butter, powdered sugar, fruit compote, fresh fruit, whipped cream

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Whip main ingredients until smooth. Batter will resemble a thin pancake batter but without the bubbles and quite yellow from the egg yolks. Pour immediately into round pie plates that have been sprayed with cooking spray or well greased, 1 cup at a time. For small 7 inch pie pans use 1/2 cup for each pancake. Place into oven and try to resist opening the oven door. Bake until golden and fluffy (maybe 15 minutes). Pancakes puff up then curl around the edges. Remove from pans and serve immediately with toppings. My favorite topping is apple pie filling topped with shredded cheese. The kids prefer them dusted with powdered sugar. The traditional recipe calls for butter and lemon juice topping. I'm not sure how that would work but if anyone tries it, let me know. You could go crazy with different types of syrups for these as well. The possibilities are endless.

These warm the kitchen nicely and smell great baking. I love these for cold days for this reason and they are not any more time-consuming than normal pancakes are. They are also fairly low in sugar, not heavy in your stomach and pack a good 2-egg protein punch without picky eaters even knowing what hit them. I want to try mini's some day but would need a dozen mini pie plates. They'd be so cute though! Enjoy!