YaYa’s Apple Puff Up Pancake
This Apple Puff-Up Pancake is a warm and comforting breakfast dish that rises beautifully in the oven, creating a soft, custard-like center with golden, puffy edges. Fresh Granny Smith apples are sautéed with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon before being baked with a light batter. Finished with lemon juice and a dusting of powdered sugar, it’s a show-stopping dish perfect for a weekend breakfast or a special brunch with family.
Ingredients
- 1 large Granny Smith apple
- 3 eggs room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Lemon juice to taste
- Powdered sugar for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F and place the rack in the center.
- Peel, core, and slice the apple.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, and vanilla until smooth.
- Melt butter in a 10-inch cast iron or ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Spread apples evenly in the pan and cook for 4 minutes.
- Turn apples and continue cooking for 3 minutes more. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, then cook another minute until sugar melts.
- Remove from heat, stir apples lightly to coat, and pour the egg mixture over apples.
- Place skillet in oven and bake 15 minutes, or until puffed and golden around the edges.
- Remove from oven, cut into wedges, sprinkle with lemon juice, and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Yaya’s Tips for Success
The key to a light and fluffy puff pancake is making sure your eggs are at room temperature before whisking. Using a cast iron skillet gives the pancake the best rise and a beautiful golden crust. Be sure not to overmix the batter, as this keeps it tender.
- Whisk until smooth but not foamy.
- Always preheat the skillet before adding the batter.
- Serve immediately, as the pancake will begin to deflate once out of the oven.
Yaya’s Customization Ideas
This recipe works well with many fruits.
- Try pears or peaches in place of apples for a different seasonal twist.
- A sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts can add a lovely crunch.
- For a more indulgent version, drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.
If you enjoyed this, you might also like my Pumpkin Bread or Hashbrown Casserole, which are equally satisfying at brunch.
Yaya’s Original Recipe Card
