German Pfannkuchen

German Pfannkuchen are German pancakes and a staple in German households that can vary from region to region. The name can vary from Pfannkuchen, to Eierkuchen or even Schmarrn, which are Pfannkuchen that are ripped or torn apart. The way they are served can vary as well. In some regions they are served sweet, others savory, and many have adapted and serve both ways. Try them out and find your preference!

Gather the following ingredients:

2 cups and 2 tbsp of flour

3 eggs

2 cups of milk

1/4 cup of sugar

pinch of salt

vegetable oil to fry

Sieve 2 cups and 2 tablespoons of flour into a big bowl. Then add 1/4 of a cup sugar. Tip: add half of the listed sugar and taste. Adjust according to taste and desired sweetness.

Next, add 3 eggs and whisk the dry ingredients and eggs together. Afterwards, add 2 cups of milk while whisking continuously until all milk is added and the batter has a smooth texture. Lastly, add a pinch of salt. Don't fret if the batter has small clumps, these will disappear once cooked. Tip: to adjust the texture of the batter, add some more milk for a thinner batter and more flour for a thicker batter.

Now it is time to fry your Pfannkuchen. A tablespoon of vegetable oil will typically coat the bottom of the pan, but the amount just depends on the size of the pan. Next, heat the pan. Start with medium heat until the pan is hot and turn it down right before pouring the batter into the pan. Then pour two ladle fillings of batter into the pan per Pfannkuchen, but again this depends on the size of the pan and how thick or thin you prefer them. Once the Pfannkuchen reached the desired color, flip it over to brown the other side. If filling them with ham and cheese, it is recommended to fill and fold them in the pan so the cheese can melt, while the Pfannkuchen finishes the frying process. All other fillings can be added after frying.

German Pfannkuchen are served and eaten in many ways. It is very common to eat them sweet with strawberry jelly, plum jam, Nutella, or just sugar. However, some like them savory and fill them with ham and cheese, creamed spinach, mushroom medley or ground beef and gravy. These are just some of the most common ideas, there are endless other possibilities to serve this wonderful diverse dish. Enjoy!