We’re in the middle of winter and I’ve just reached the point in the season at which I find myself really craving warm weather. In full disclosure, I am not a winter person. But I am the kind of person that believes there is always, always something to be grateful for. And at this moment, when all that my body is craving is sunshine, I look to nature’s remedy for this dreary season. Citrus, specifically, blood oranges! Beneath their peel, lies a vibrant ruby flesh, that has the bright flavor of a classic orange with lovely notes of raspberry. No matter how cold, wet or dark winter can be, blood oranges have a special way of giving me joy. Brightening my day with their beautiful splendor! Which is why I chose them as the inspiration for my latest recipe: a blood orange buttermilk dutch baby.
puffy pancake a.k.a. dutch baby origins:
This dutch baby recipe features another one of my favorite ingredients: buttermilk. I could wax on about my deep love for buttermilk, the way it lends its tangy flavor to all manner of carbohydrates ie; cakes, cornbread, pie crust, and of course, pancakes! In this case, we are making a big puffy oven pancake, lovingly referred to as a Dutch baby. The origin of this puffy oven pancake is actually German. “Derived from a German pancake dish, it is said that the name Dutch baby was coined by one of Victor Manca’s daughters. Where “Dutch” perhaps was her corruption of the German autonym deutsch” – thank you Wikipedia ;) Now that we’ve clarified why this puffy pancake is called a dutch baby, let’s talk about why you need to make one! This buttermilk one specifically ;)
I’m actually surprised that I have never shared a dutch baby recipe here on the blog before now. They are probably the easiest breakfast treat there is! With only about 2 minutes of active time to put the batter together and then the oven does the rest of the work. No standing over a griddle flipping pancake after pancake. Just a quick whiz in the blender, 20 minutes in the oven and you have a glorious puffy pancake that you can top with whatever your heart desires. My typical dutch baby topping formula is as follows: a dusting of powdered sugar, a seasonal fruit, something creamy & a sweet drizzle.
blood oranges, creme fraîche, & honey – oh my!
Blood oranges, creme fraîche, and honey are the ultimate trio for a dutch baby. Like I should probably trademark this combination, lol! But in all seriousness, a buttermilk dutch baby topped off with rich creme fraîche, refreshing blood oranges and a generous drizzle sweet local honey. It’s a food experience that is so simple, yet so divine.
By now, you should be pretty convinced that you need to make this blood orange buttermilk dutch baby. Especially because with as long as winter may seem to drag on, but before we know it, spring will be here. The cold days of winter will fade and along with them, blood oranges will all be just a memory with another year of waiting before their return.
BLOOD ORANGE BUTTERMILK DUTCH BABY
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2–4 servings 1x
Ingredients
FOR THE DUTCH BABY:
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 2/3 cup buttermilk, room temperature (or add 2 tsp vinegar or lemon juice to 2/3 cup milk)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp fine salt
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
FOR THE TOPPING:
- 1 tbsp icing sugar for dusting
- 3 blood oranges, peeled & sliced into 1/4” thick rounds, seeds removed
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup creme fraîche
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions
FOR THE DUTCH BABY:
- Place an 8-inch (20cm) heavy skillet in the oven and preheat the oven to 425°F
- In a blender, pulse the eggs until frothy. Add in the buttermilk, flour, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Blend until smooth & let the mixture rest while the oven heats, for at least 15 minutes.
- Once the oven is heated, remove the skillet and add the butter, swirling the melting butter to coat the pan, especially the edges.
- Immediately pour the batter into the buttered pan. Bake for 20 minutes, until the dough puffs and is nice and golden. Do not open the oven while the dutch baby bakes or it will not properly rise.
- Remove the dutch baby from the oven, dust with icing sugar, and top with creme fraîche, blood oranges slices & a generous drizzle of honey :)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slices
Ah, I am going to try to make this over the weekend :D So captivating– I can taste it. Amazing job Bella!!!
Oh yay! That makes me so happy! Thank you Ash!
What a treat Bella, to wake up this morning to this fabulous photography and a recipe that sounds absolutely delicious – a must try!
Awwww! Thank you Marilena! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
This is so beautiful Bella! I love the flavors here! I agree, too, that buttermilk is such a special ingredient. I’m going to have to give this one a try!
Thank you Anita! I am so excited for you to try it! <3
Hi, thanks for the beautiful food picture! I’ve tried to do nice pictures like yours to no avail. Keep it going!
Awwww! Thank you SO much Dave! It’s so nice to hear from you! We need to catch up sometime soon!
This looks fantastic and I was excited to see it in my email. I happen to have all the ingredients in house so this definitely needs to be breakfast. Happy weekend Bella. 😘
What perfect timing Lori! I cannot wait for you to make it :)
1st off this was BOMB as F#@%!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
haha! Thanks!
2nd off, when my spouse said that she was gonna make this recipe i was like “NO WAY. i aint a dutch baby with blood oranges”
right!?! I would have probably had the same reaction! But once you try it you are immediately won over!
3rd off, boy was i wrong!!! it was super refreshing and i ate mine with scrambled free range pasture raised eggs and shredded cheddar mixed in, it was the PERFECT compliment to your recipe!!!
that sounds SO good! Perfectly balanced breakfast!
the creme fraiche with honey and cinnamon and the icing for dusting were freakin spot on to top off the dutch baby with the blood oranges, all the flavor profiles played off each other perfectly!!
I totally agree with you! The flavor combinations in this recipe are so perfect! <3
the entire recipe from top to bottom literally came together like a harmonious symphony!!! that is probably the single greatest thing that my family just LOVES about all your recipes Bella, you have an incredible gift to bring unique flavors together to make an incredible harmony take place, all the while proving doubters like me wrong, KUDOS to you, and a thousand thank you’s for all your dedication and efforts!!
a thousand thank you’s to you for all of your support! So so grateful that you take the time to comment :)
Love your blog and so enjoy your beautiful photos as well. I have Celiac and I’m wondering if you think a 1:1 flour substitute might work well or if perhaps this recipe is just not easily convertible. I hesitate to waste ingredients testing without your thoughts first.
Gratefully,
Hello Diane! Thank you so much!
A 1:1 gluten-free substitute will absolutely work here! I will update the recipe to reflect that! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
If you love Blood oranges like I do.. you will love this buttermilk batter Dutch Baby! It’s sweet and tangy.. and simply delicious
So so happy that you made my recipe and loved it! Thank you for taking the time to share what you thought! <3
My gosh, this dutch baby is perfect. And the light in these shots is just so dreamy! I’m thinking this would be perfect tomorrow with strawberries or blueberries!!
Thank you Ash…I adored the light in these images as well…and yes, strawberries and blueberries would be great accompaniments!
I just adore dutch babies! I have a few citrus stragglers in my crisper. making for the kids (ya, the kids;)) tomorrow morning! The color of that citrus makes me so happy!
XO,
Carolyn
oh yay! I am SO excited for you guys! Dutch babies are a big hit in our house…I substitute seasonal fruit all year long!
I honestly don’t know why, but for some reason Dutch Babies intimidate me. Then again, pretty much anything that’s not a cookie or simple cake intimidates me lol. Still, I’m definitely gonna have to try this one day, because it looks phenomenal 😍
It is funny because while dutch babies may seem intimidating, they are literally the easiest, yet most impressive breakfast/brunch dish! You must try, you will be pleasantly surprised!
Just made it this morning for breakfast and it turned out beautifully! I topped mine with blood orange and maple syrup and it was absolutely delicious!
YAY! So so happy you enjoyed it!
Soooo good! I just used the dutch baby recipe without the toppings and made lemon curd. It was insanely good. Thank you :)
Perfection! Dutch babies are SO versatile! You can top them with whatever is in season! SO happy you enjoyed my recipe!