Dutch Baby with Caramelized Bananas

Have you ever heard of a Dutch Baby?  The first time I'd ever seen this odd sounding name on a menu was at The Original Pancake House here in Vegas.  And I never ordered it.  But it always sounded good so when I stumbled upon a recipe for one in Food and Wine magazine this month I ripped it out to try.

A Dutch Baby is like a pancake, except it is large enough to feed 2-4 people and baked in a skillet in the oven (Like Yorkshire  pudding if you've ever heard of that).  It is a little more egg-y in my opinion (like a crepe) and it is super simple to make.  It goes great with any kind of fruit topping but you could just eat it with syrup too.  I am a huge fan now because it means that instead of flipping pancakes and either warming them in the oven or feeding everyone else first, I can just pop this in the oven, make a quick topping while it bakes....and then chow down with my family.  A fun, interesting, and delicious family breakfast done in 30 minutes start to finish.

Dutch Baby with Caramelized Bananas, adapted from Food and Wine Magazine, February 2012
3 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
for banana topping:
2 bananas, sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar

To begin, put a large oven-proof skillet into the oven and then turn it on to preheat to 475 F.

Next put the eggs, flour, milk and vanilla into your blender and blitz for about 30 seconds, until it is frothy.

When the oven is preheated (or almost) put the butter into the pan and put the pan back in the oven for about 2 to 3 minutes.  It should be melted and golden brown.  Take the pan out of the oven and pour in the contents of your blender.

Now return the pan to the oven and let it bake for 17-19 minutes.  When it is done it will be golden brown and puffed up the sides of the pan.

For the bananas: when the dutch baby has a minute or two left, melt the butter in another saute pan over medium heat.  Sprinkle over the sugar and give it just a little stir to dissolve it into the butter.  Once melted together put in the sliced bananas.  Let them sit in the butter and sugar for about a minute then toss them to coat and turn off the heat.

Now you can serve!  Turn the dutch baby out onto a cutting board.  (It will just slide right out) Slice it for each plate and then top with the bananas.  Feel free to add some homemade whipped cream and/or powdered sugar, or a little bit of maple syrup.  Enjoy!