German Apple Pancake Recipe- Apfelpfannekuchen

My mother made Eierkuchen for us quite often when we were children. Usually we had them with Jam or Nutella. AND on SPECIAL days she would make this extra delicious Apfelpfannekuchen or German Apple Pancake Recipe .

Swoon

Ok, basically, it’s the same recipe as Eierkuchen (German Pancakes) BUT there are slices of apple cooked into the pancake. So good. Top with a bit of sugar, or cinnamon sugar, and it’s a magical breakfast (or dinner) for kids of all ages. It does take an extra step, but it’s not complicated or difficult. Just peel and slice a few apples while the batter is resting. The rest falls into place very easily.

German Apple Pancake Recipe- Apfelpfannekuchen

Keep in mind, I only use an 8 inch pan. My  mom uses a bigger one… but she has the flip down to a science! Topping the pancake with a plate while it’s in the pan, and using the plate as an assist helps. It also helps the pancake set a bit… but it does get HOT if you leave it to long. A lid might be more practical.

(The Very Observant among you will notice that this is just my recipe for Iierkuchen Goldgelb (German Pancakes) with the addition of apples. You can find that recipe here–> Authentic German Pancake Recipe)

German Apple Pancake Recipe

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Cuisine German

Ingredients

  

• 1 3/4 cup 250g Flour
• 4 Eggs
• 2 cups 1/2 liter Milk
• 1 tbl Sugar
• 2 Apples pick your favorite
• Cinnamon Sugar optional
• butter for frying

Instructions

 

• In a blender (or food processor), combine flour, eggs, milk, and a spoonful of sugar. Blend until fully combined.
• Let sit for 5 minutes.
• While it's resting, peel, core, and slice the apples. (I use one of the ring corer/slicers, then slice the wedges a bit thinner)
• Heat a tablespoon of butter in small nonstick frying pan.
• (I use an 8 inch pan, because I'm horrible at flipping... but you can go bigger if you are confident.)
• Put a layer of apple slices into the pan. You can sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar for extra sweetness.
• After a minute or two, flip the apples over.
• Now-
• Pour about a half a cup, or more, of batter into the hot pan over the apples. Start with less and add... you don't want the batter too thick. Fill the bottom of the pan... should go about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick (don't get your rulers out.. eyeball it)... and should mostly cover the apples.
• Because you are cooking with butter, you want the heat to be more low and slow. If you hurry and go hot, the butter will burn, and it will look dark, and the kids will complain.
• I find that a lid on the pan (keep checking) helps move things along.
• When bubbles start forming, peek under a corner (I know, I know, there are no corners on a round pancake! that was just a test) Peek underneath. If it's starting to get golden, flip it.
• (If you put a plate over the pancake, flip it out onto the plate, then slide it back in the pan, you might have better success... or it might make a mess... it's really a matter of practice)
• Let other side cook a few minutes. When golden, put it on a plate in front of a hungry child... or put it on a plate in a warm oven
• Repeat until batter all gone.

Like this Recipe? Check out my Easy German Cookbook!

The Easy German Cookbook: 80 Classic Recipes made Simple is full of delicious recipes from across Germany that you remember from your mom’s or Oma’s kitchen. Find your favorite every day recipes as well as special occasion recipes for holidays and birthdays. All of the recipes are set up for the American kitchen, with ingredients you can find at most grocery stores.

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Mistakes Happen..

Mistakes were made… (and the cook got to have an extra pancake)

Now the trick with Apfelpfannekuchen is the added degree of difficulty with the flip. I have lost a few along the way. And frankly, the world doesn’t end… you just keep the broken one on a plate in the kitchen to nibble on (all in the interest of quality control).

Like with regular German Pancakes, the first one is often lost. Don’t get frustrated. The next one will be fine. And even broken pancakes taste delicious.

Serving German Apple Pancakes

Serve German Apple Pancakes with sugar or cinnamon sugar… or whatever topping you like-
Whipped cream
Applesauce
Jam
Nutella might be interesting….

Step by Step instructions for the German Apple Pancake Recipe

Peel the apples… core and slice… then slice even thinner for better cooking. (You CAN leave them thick, it just takes longer to cook, and makes the pancake lumpier)

Melt butter into the pan… arrange apples in the pan. (They won’t stay neat, but you can try)

Sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar if you like

Flip the apples over and let cook until a bit soft… just a few minutes

Pour 1/2 cup batter over the apples. More if you have a bigger pan. Don’t worry if apple sticks out

If you put a plate over the pancake, it might be easier to get the flip right.
It might not though….

Sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar and enjoy HOT!