The Best Pancakes You've Never Had

Inspired by Rebecca Lindamood, from FoodiewithFamily, the Finnish Oven Pancake, or Pannukakku, is one of the most delicious breakfast secrets I've ever found online. The pannukakku is like a Dutch baby, but... well, it's Finnish. 

I first tried out this recipe when it was snowing like crazy, so now on tradition I refuse to make it unless it's snowing. Good thing, too, or I'd probably best dishing this stuff up every morning...

 

 Pannukakku

Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

• 3 tbs. butter, quartered
• 4 eggs
• 1 c. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 tbs. white sugar
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 c. white flour  

• Optional Toppings:
• lemon zest & powdered sugar
• fresh berries & whipped cream
• diced apples & cinnamon
• honey, maple, or ginger syrup

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Distribute butter cubes evenly across an 8-9 inch cake pan or oven-safe skillet. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, vanilla, and sugar. Whisk until creamy. Whisk the hell out of it -- you want this to puff its stuff!
4. Place pan with butter into the middle rack of the preheating oven. Check often to make sure it melts, but does not brown.
5. Using a small sieve or hand sifter, sprinkle flour and salt evenly over the egg mixture, then stir until combined. The mixture should be smooth and should pour easily.
6. Carefully pull out the middle rack of the oven. The butter should have fully melted in the pan by this point. (Kindly don't salivate into the mix.) Pour the entire batter over the butter, then gently push rack back into oven.
7. This is the good part: about 20 minutes into cooking, the batter will puff up like a giant parachute. Don't forget to check on it, or you'll miss all the fun! But REFRAIN from opening the oven door, or the rush of cold air will collapse the pancake. Instead, turn on an oven light and check through the door every 5-10 minutes. When the top is a deep golden brown, it's time to take it out (usually 25-30 minutes total cook time.) 
   

   

   This is just after being taken out of the oven. Honestly, if you've whipped the eggs right, it will get HUGE under heat.

8. The pannukakku should be cut into wedges and served immediately. It will deflate slightly after removal, but you'll get over that minor tragedy as soon as you eat this stuff. I promise.

Tip: If you're impatient, toss all ingredients in a high-speed food processor or blender for a minute or so. Bam.