Dutch Pancakes (Poffertjes)

How frustrated it would be if you like eating something delicious and you have the exact recipe you want! A case in point, the Egg Waffle (雞蛋仔) is my most favourite street snack enjoyed from my childhood in Hong Kong. Although I’ve got the wonderful recipe, I can’t try it out simply because I don’t have the mould. Having said that, I can’t blame anything as life treats me good enough. On the boxing day, I came across this electric Dutch pancake pan offered at Kmart at a crazy price, 12 dollars for each. What a bargain! My hubby talked me into it and finally we grabbed one back home. How wonderful it was when tasting the first batch of homemade puffy Poffertjes (Dutch pancakes) coming out straight from the hot pan. If you don’t have the pan, don’t be frustrated. Unlike the Hong Kong egg waffles, you still can taste the goodies, by using the recipe to pan fry some if you’re craving. Make the pancakes as small as you can, the taste is still delicious.

Dutch Pancakes (Poffertjes) (Printable recipe)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain flour, sifted
• 1¼ tsp baking powder
• 1 Tbsp caster sugar
• salt, to taste
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup water
• 2 eggs, whisked
• A few drops of vanilla extract, optional
• oil, for brushing the pan

Method:

1. Combine flour and baking powder. Mix in sugar and salt.
2. Pour in milk, water. Combine with a balloon whisk. Add the eggs. Don’t over stir anyway, and avoid from producing gluten inside the batter, just combine all ingredients. Rest for 10 minutes.
3. Turn on the electric pancake pan according to the manufactory’s instructions. Brush a bit of oil on the pan. Pour in about one tablespoon of batter into each hole. When bubbles appear, bottoms turn lightly brown, use a skew or needle to flip over and cook the other side. They should be cooked until both sides are golden brown. Transfer onto a serving plate, served with maple syrup or honey, sprinkle icing sugar on top.

Notes:

• When mixing the batter, just combine all ingredients, don’t over stir it.
• The batter should be runny. The fried pancakes won't be soft otherwise. Add water if the batter is too thick.
• You might like to add some fillings between two pieces of pancakes, like jam or fruits.
• I tried to go with vanilla ice cream. It’s incredibly tasty.