I’m pretty much obsessed with German Pancakes these days. (And for those of you grammar snobs, I know you think I shouldn’t capitalize Pancakes, but I’m going to. If I had no self-restraint at all, I would call them GERMAN PANCAKES or maybe GERMAN PANCAKES!!!!, or even GERRRRMAN PANCAKESOFHAPPINESS!!!!, so be grateful for what you’ve got.)
I’d like to take a moment to thank my older sister’s junior high Home Economics teacher for giving this recipe to her class. It changed my life. I don’t know how anybody could be critical of public education when teachers are clearly responsible for the increase in German Pancake production over the past twenty years. And I have a sneaking suspicion that if you look closely at schools that are struggling with behavior problems and violence, you’ll find a lack of German Pancakes.
Lately, I’ve been using them as incentive for Christian to get up a little earlier, shower and get ready in time for school. I nudge his sleeping shoulder and whisper, “If you get up now and shower, there’s enough time for a German Pancake.” His eyes pop open, a smile spreads across his lips and he hops out of bed. It works like a charm. You see, he appreciates them as much as I do, and as he falls further and further in love with sports (a world I rarely visit or understand), I am comforted in the idea that we will always share a common foundation—the love of our preferred breakfast food. I’m looking forward to the day I hand over the egg carton and beaters and teach him to make his own.
So, without further ado, I am announcing May 30 through June 6 as National German Pancake Awareness and Appreciation Week! (Don’t worry, I approved it with Oprah first.) This is the week to make, bake, and take GPs to the next level. Have them for breakfast. Have them for lunch. Have them for dinner and a midnight snack. Have them when you’re happy, and especially when you’re sad. Cut one in half and share it with someone you love. Make the world a better place with your eggs, flour, milk, salt, and butter.
If you have never experienced one of these fluffy wonders, let no more time pass. You probably have all the ingredients in your cupboard right now. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 450 degrees. I’ll wait. You can jot down the recipe when you get back. And just in case you’re hesitating, I’ll provide you with a warm, buttery preview:
Convinced, yes? I thought you’d see it my way.
Now write this on something sturdy that can withstand years and years of use. Lamination is a good idea.
GERRRRMAN PANCAKESOFHAPPINESS!!!!
(a recipe from the Home Economics department at Union Middle School)
3 eggs
3 T butter
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. flour
1/4 t. salt
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Whip eggs in a bowl until they are a light, lemony color. Cut butter into three slices and place them in a 9×9 baking dish. Place the dish in the oven for a few minutes to allow the butter to melt. (Keep a close watch!) Add milk, flour, and salt to the eggs and beat until smooth and creamy. When the butter has melted, remove the dish from the oven and pour the egg mixture into the warm dish. Put the dish in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Serve with maple syrup. Or, if you like adventure, slather the pancake with butter, sprinkle it generously with powdered sugar and squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon all over it.
I hope you enjoy NGPAAW as much as I plan to. Please send in your experiences with German Pancakes (and pictures too). It’s time to start making a difference, one gigantic breakfast food at a time!
