Poffertjes, poffert...pfft...
I seriously cannot pronounce these little Dutch pancakes in their native tongue! No matter how many times I ask when buying these as a snack at fetes, fairs and special events, I just cannot catch the finer points of their pronounciation.
Never mind how to say it, the universal adoration of these delicious little pancakes is easy to understand.
They taste amazing!
Little Dutch pancakes are so easy to prepare and all you do need to authentically create these at home, is a proper poffertjes skittle pan. You can buy these quite easily and cheaply in most major department stores for around $20 - $30 for a stovetop version and I would recommend searching for a good non-stick surface when making your choice. Cast iron poffertjes pans look so rustic and appealing and make a good-looking addition to your kitchen.
I purchased my Poffertjes Maker at Target some time ago for only $19 on sale, (normally around $30) and it's a complete unit so you can use it anywhere. This one is by Mistral and I have great success with it. It's easy to cook these when the temperature of the unit has been pre-set for you. ;D
Little Dutch Pancakes - A Poffertjes Recipe:
3 cups of plain flour,
Half a teaspoon of salt,
2 tablespoons of caster sugar,
700ml milk,
Two teaspoons of baker's yeast,
1 egg,
Margarine or butter to grease the pancake pan,
Icing sugar and lemon to serve.
Sift flour into a large mixing bowl then stir in salt and sugar.
In a microwave, heat the milk until it's lukewarm.
Reserve around 100 ml of the milk and to this add the yeast and allow it to stand aside for around 10 minutes until small frothy bubbles appear.
Make a well in the centre of the flour and add the milk, yeast mixture and egg and whisk until a smooth batter results.
Cover this bowl with a damp cloth and place in a warm spot for an hour or so. A sunny spot on your bench top is perfect. The batter will rise slightly during this period as the yeast does its work.
Preheat your Dutch pancake pan for a few minutes and dot each 'cup' with a small quantity of butter. The skillet should be sizzle hot but not so hot that it smokes. Work quickly to spoon or pour batter into each area around half to two thirds full. The batter will rise a little in the cooking process so allow room for expansion. Each side takes only around 1.5 minutes to cook so again, work quickly with a small heat-resistant spatula to turn each puff as soon as you see bubbles form and slightly solidify. A quick tap will flip each pancake and a batch takes only around 3 minutes maximum to fully prepare.
I place each batch onto one large platter and continue to add to it until all the poffertjes are cooked. This keeps the entire batch piping hot and quickens the whole cooking process. When done, sprinkle the lot with melted butter (if desired) and a generous squeeze of lemon juice then dust with lots of icing sugar straight from a sieve.
This recipe makes a large batch suitable for around 6 hungry kids who don't hold back. You can halve the suggested quantities to make fewer but ask yourself - do you really want to do that when the end result looks this good?!
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Wow - these look amazing. I've just discovered your blog through FYBF and I have to say it looks terrific. Great ideas and lovely design. Can't wait to try these Danish delights - thanks for sharing the recipe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments Tonia - means muchly! :D
DeleteI can not believe you can by one of these at Target...gone are the days of the simple sandwich maker!!
ReplyDeleteLydia, my cupboards are overflowing with every appliance known to man - except a Thermomix which I am not allowed to buy!
DeleteWow, these look amazing! I think I'm going to have to find one of these!
ReplyDeleteI bought it a while ago Lauren but they should still be around. It was a great price.
DeleteIsn't that a takoyaki machine? I've one of those too! Now I know I can use it to make these babies too.. thanks for the recipe! I tried it at Carrara Markets and it was so yummy we had 2 plates haha
ReplyDeleteAi @ Sakura Haruka
Takoyaki? Hmmm, I will have to Google this? I am always hovering around the Dutch pancake stalls at markets, I just love them!
DeleteI'm not allowed any more appliances but they do look so tempting.
ReplyDeleteMe too Trish, me too...(heavy, rounded shoulders and mopey expression...)
DeleteOh my.I love Poffertje. And Takoyaki. And this little gadget is perfect for both. I better get me to Target! :-)
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing not to like is there. Another mention of this Takoyaki - I am so curious - what is it / they?!
DeleteI see these at the markets all the time, but i'm yet to try them. Think I may have to now :)
ReplyDeleteYou are seriously missing out Lisa! Next time okay? Or make these.
DeleteOh I absolutely love these pancakes... I always head straight to them at any market... I'll have to give this a try... could be dangerous though x
ReplyDeleteMake sure you are surrounded by many mouths to help 'unburden' you when you do. (I can loan you some mouths?)
DeleteThey look so good in that picture! This is bringing back wonderful memories, I really should get a new poffertjes maker - mine got adopted by my mum when I moved out of home. Haha!
ReplyDeleteEither visit your Mum more often or reclaim what's rightfully yours! These are too good to forget. :D
DeleteOh my! I can't say their name either but I reckon I'd love eating a few!
ReplyDeleteI love Poffertjes!! They are just so scrumptious. I'll have to keep my eye out for a Poffertjes maker now.
ReplyDeleteIf you get one make sure you blog it so I can see it!
DeleteThese are so easy and are delish! The kids love helping me make them too! Another mum gave me a tip to flip them using wooden skewers - they work a treat! Helen Pescos.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've seen them do that with the skewers too. I will have to invest in a packet next time I am at the supermarket.
DeleteI LOVE THESE THINGS! We have them every Sunday and we flip them with a skewer...after I watched the men at the markets doing this!!!
ReplyDeleteI love these!! I remember eating them curb side in Amsterdam yummo!!
ReplyDeleteGeez I wish I had that memory too - 'twas the school fair for me!
DeleteWow - I have never seen these before. They look amazing! Pinning :)
ReplyDeleteYum! I'll have to keep an eye out for these pans. xS
ReplyDeleteI love my Poffertjes! My mums family is dutch and these are one of the delights we grew up on. Oh how I'd love to own one of these. Oh and if you want to be able to say the word next time it pronounced a bit like this in aussie - poff-et-ches.
ReplyDeleteOhh thank you for the phonetic heads-up! The skittles are easy to find around in the department stores or go the cheats way and buy the electric unit like me!
DeleteWhat a neat gadget to have. I have never even heard of these pancakes, they look delish! :)
ReplyDeletewhat an awesome after school treat. I dont think I have ever had these before and I am thinking I would probably make myself sick on them they look that good! x
ReplyDeleteOh my M-I-L raves about the Dutch pancakes she always ends up buying at the Sunday markets. I shall defiantly look for one of these gadgets...could be the perfect Xmas present! x
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these things, I can't believe you can make your own. That might be dangerous for me... x
ReplyDeleteOoh they look amazing!!
ReplyDelete