Aaaand Pancake Fridays are back with a very special edition!
This Grapefruit Dutch baby is up on I Heart Daily as part of a spring-into-summer recipe series I’m doing with them. You can find my first post on stenciled birthday pizookies here; this latest post is all about what you should be doing for Mother’s Day (hint: showering moms with love and her breakfast with powdered sugar).
A little background on this lovely feature: from third grade until high school, my singular goal in life was to be a published author (that, and to land the hunk of my dreams…okay, that was just high school). I did a lot more creative writing back then and by some complete stroke of luck, an essay of mine was published in a book, compiled and edited by seriously one of the most wonderful (generous! encouraging! kind!) people I know, Amy Goldwasser. It’s thanks to a partnership between Amy’s book and I Heart Daily that this recipe series came about.
But since this recipe is for Mother’s Day, let me take a moment to focus on another generous, encouraging, and kind woman I know: my mom. Our mother-daughter relationship, like many, was strewn with rocky patches throughout my adolescence thanks to one Extremely Moody Daughter. Thankfully, that is over. And I am who I am because of her.
I am published because she has always supported my dreams, given me time to think and write and brood. During the college decision process, I chose the better college because she helped me see the big life picture while I was just contemplating weather patterns. Though I’d also chosen the more expensive college, I graduated debt-free because she and my dad worked hard, took the time to become savvy about savings and investments, and invested in our future. I have a well-paying job because she nudged me to look beyond the limited field of writing jobs I thought I wanted. I’d choose bibimbap over Big Macs any day because she’s sliced hundreds of apples, cooked thousands of stir-fries and casseroles and rice dishes, and taken me and my siblings to countless farmers’ markets to teach us the importance of nutrition, cooking and local food. I can spot a sub-par head of broccoli a mile away.
I have a stubborn habit of sticking with things until they’re finished because she’s taught me the importance of commitment and follow-through. I always make the extra effort to hold onto empty water bottles if there are no recycling bins around because she’s told me over and over the importance of sustaining our planet. I know how to work hard because she is my epitome of hard work–many nights I have driven home to see the light glowing in her upstairs office at 10, 11, midnight. I entertain dreams about starting my own business because after putting herself through law school, that’s exactly what she did. I support myself because she has ingrained in me the importance of never relying on a man. I am in a fulfilling relationship because she taught me self-respect. I get to think seriously about what I want to be when I grow up because I know she is always there to encourage, commiserate, and think things through.
But because she is hundreds of miles away in California, I can only offer this blog post in lieu of making her the actual breakfast in bed she so thoroughly deserves. While the larger version of this—more suitable for a family—is up on I Heart Daily, I’ve been getting quite a bit of mileage out of my 6-inch cast-iron skillet with a smaller version, so I thought I’d post it below. It’s perfectly suited for just two people and although my mom is the time-crunched, efficient type who almost always springs for a larger version + leftovers, I’m sure she would appreciate the well-portioned size of this smaller creation.
You can sub nearly any spring fruit for this caramelized-fruit-studded, soufflé-like pancake, which is really quite light for a decadent-looking breakfast. I had grapefruit on hand, which resulted in pockets of tangy-sweet fruit with a slightly bitter edge where it met the pancake, greatly enhanced by a swoop of powdered sugar. I can’t even imagine the deliciousness this might be with perfectly ripe strawberries instead.
To all the moms out there: Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you know how loved and appreciated you are, even when your kids don’t acknowledge this universal truth regularly, the way we should. I don’t know where I would be without mine.
Caramelized Grapefruit Dutch Baby for two
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter divided
- 1/2 grapefruit peeled and segmented (or about 1 cup your fruit of choice)
- 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- scant 3 tablespoons milk
- scant ½ teaspoon vanilla
- scant 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- dash of cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Farenheit (you will be reducing the heat later! A brief, initial blast of high heat helps give the Dutch baby extra volume).
- Place a 6-inch oven-proof skillet on the stove and melt ½ tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
- Toss grapefruit in 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and add to the pan; cook for 2-3 minutes on one side, until tender and caramelized. Sprinkle grapefruit with additional sugar if you like, flip, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla very vigorously—this is where you are incorporating air into the eggs to help the pancake rise.
- Add the flour, salt and cinnamon and mix until just combined—don’t overmix or your pancake will be tough. Melt the other ½ tablespoon of butter and gently whisk into the batter.
- Pour batter into the skillet over the grapefruit and immediately move the entire skillet to the oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 350 and cook for another 5-10 minutes until puffed and brown. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and dust with powdered sugar. Slice and serve immediately!
Natasha @ The Cake Merchant
What a beautiful tribute to your mom, Erika! I’m sure she is really proud of you. Also, yay for pancake fridays, and I love the addition of grapefruit!
Choc Chip Uru
Just resubscribing, don’t mind me 😛
susan @ the wimpy vegetarian
Oh Erika, what a beautiful post this is. There is no greater gift any mother can ever receive than to know her daughter (or son) feels this way about all her efforts, sacrifices, and love. I’ve read it twice now, and want to read it again. And many, many congratulations on being published!!!! I’m going over there now to find out more. You have so much creative talent in you! And pinning this little dutch baby. My favorite photos are the second and third ones. And genius to use crumpled paper for the background!!! It adds so much to the relaxed Sunday morning feel. Like rumpled sheets. Love!
Kim @ AdventuresInANewishCity
What a sweet post Erika! And this looks absolutely amazing! You may convert me to grapefruit yet…. 🙂
Samina | The Cupcake Confession
Ahhhh!!!!!! I can almost taste the caramelized grapefruit!!!!! This sounds and looks incredible DELISH!!!!!!!! <3
erika
Haha–again, you are the SWEETEST!! Thanks so much samina!!
laurasmess
I love this Erika. Everything about it, from the gorgeous sentiment to the photos and the recipe. Time with our mums is indeed precious; I went through a similarly moody stage when I was about thirteen and I regret it infinitely! So silly. But small things (like staying out late with friends or wearing a skirt that was waaaay too short!) seemed so large and important at the time. It’s funny how getting older changes our perspective! Your mum sounds like a beautiful, strong and amazing woman.
Btw I checked out the I Heart Daily link and I had no idea that you were an author of RED! I want to read it now!! xxx
erika
Yessss! EXACTLY! You get me, Laura. Thank goodness for perspective is all I can say!
Thank you SO much for all your kind words; you are a total and utter gem!! <3333333
Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com
This looks delicious–I’ll bet the caramelized grapefruit adds an amazing flavor! And what a sweet tribute to your mom, she sounds like a wonderful woman!
Choc Chip Uru
Grapefruits on a dutch baby? That is so much more innovative than the usual apples I am used to! Great idea, I want to devour this right now 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Ala
Love love love it, Erika! I hope your mom is reading your post right now and super duper proud of you for all of your amazing accomplishments (and exciting adventures to come!).
erika
Aww thanks Ala! Same to you <3
Julia @Vikalinka
Oh goodness, congratulations on being published, Erika! What an amazing thing to celebrate!!!! Also, what a beautiful tribute to your mom, I hope I see something like this written by my kids. 🙂 Lovely pancake, you truly live up to your name, Pancake Princess!
The Vegan 8
Such a beautiful tribute to your mom Erika! She sounds so wonderful and of course she raised a spectacular and talented daughter, YOU! The recipe looks scrumptious and congrats on the essay feature… Super cool! P.s. Sorry I’m late on commenting…been crazy past week!! Great post girl 🙂
Katie (The Muffin Myth)
What lovely words about your mom, Erika. She sounds like an awesome lady. Congrats on the feature and the publication. This dutch baby looks delish, and my mom loves grapefruit. Would that I could make it for her this Mother’s Day. Also, I am so in love with your food styling these days. Nice work!
Lilly Sue
Beautiful post. It sounds like you have a wonderful mom 🙂 the whole recycling comment made me think of my mom- she will collect others recycling and compost to take home
Pang
What a wonderful WONDERFUL post, Erika!!!! I am so moved by your love to your mom; you are such a wonderful person/daughter. This post of yours makes me want to see her picture 🙂
Anyway, congratulations on your collaboration as well. I need to check out I Heart Daily like right now 🙂
Happy Mother’s day to the most wonderful daughter 🙂
Amy Jean Tappenden
Omg, such a lovely post! Your Mum sounds amazing! I love the “extremely moody daughter” line. LOL! I was exactly the same lol.. This recipe seems so easy to whip up too. Can’t wait to try more of your pancake recipes once I’m back home and have more equipment (like an oven..lol!). Lovely post Erika.
erika
Thank you Amy!!! As always, you are the absolute sweetest 🙂 I really hope you get back to an oven soon because I think you will LOVE dutch babies!! I bet you could take down a full-sized one by your lonesome 😉
Rosie @The Porridge Pot
This is such a beautiful message to your mom, and the pancake looks equally stunning.
erika
Thanks so much Rosie! <3
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
This is a lovely, wonderful, eloquent, thoughtful post, Erika, and a wonderful tribute to your hard working, kick ass momma. I have no doubt she shaped you into the lovely, wonderful, eloquent, thoughtful, hardworking, kick ass woman you are today. You’re one of my favourite bloggers and all around people. That’s so cool about your essay being included in the book. I just popped over to Amazon and the reviews for it are very complimentary. Congrats on your partnership with I Heart Daily! This dutch baby looks incredible, as do your fabulous photos Happy Friday, lady!
erika
Oh my gosh, so many compliments! Haha Nancy, you are THE BEST. You are seriously one of my favorite bloggers too–how do you have time to leave such awesome comments on everyone’s blog? I mean, every time you comment I just feel like the most special snowflake 🙂
Thank you, thank you, thank you! AND ALSO! Your pb chocolate buttercream? SO SO AMAZING. I’m gonna go back and comment on it now so everyone knows!!
Sockmonkeys Kitchen
oh MY – I love everything about this post! Love your writing, and am salivating over the gorgeous grapefruity pics!
erika
Haha love it! Going to start calling things grapefruity from now on. Thanks so much! <3
cynthia
What a beautiful post in both words and photos, Erika! This Dutch baby is STUNNING and your words about your mother are so touching. Love love love this so very much — I’m sure she’s so proud to have you as a daughter! <3 (And YAY, congrats on the I Heart Daily collab!!!! Running to check it out right now!)
erika
Oh you, you always know just what to say 😉 Thanks so much Cynthia! As I said to someone else, I should prooobably add in the post that IHD is def targeted towards teenage girls…but I still subscribe because they share some cool stuff! Hope you like! x
Michelle @ Hummingbird High
Aww, Erika, this is such a sweet post! Your mom sounds great, and likewise, she is incredibly lucky to have an incredibly wonderful and talented daughter like yourself. Love the recipe, and your pictures are so beautiful!
erika
Awww thanks so much Michelle–you are the sweetest!! And thanks for the tweet earlier today! <3 <3
Nora (A Clean Bake)
This looks so fantastic! I have never made a dutch baby pancake before, but they always look so darn good (why can’t I ever remember that when it’s time to cook breakfast though? Grr). Grapefruit is a BRILLIANT addition. I never would have thought to do that, but it’s such a bright flavor that sort of shocks you awake (in a good way), so it’s perfect for breakfast. Note to self: get on this dutch baby thing, immediately.
PS: As always, beautiful photos!!
erika
Ahhh Nora! You need to get on the dutch baby train now!! Although it is kind of a pain to throw together in the morning…not exactly impulse breakfast food haha. I’m glad you’re into the grapefruit idea! I wasn’t sure and after the first bite, I was like “Erik this is horrible.” But then the second bite was heavenly! I think it’s intial awfulness was just a matter of how much pith is left on the grapefruit…but anyway, THANKS! <3
Shikha @ Shikha la mode
Love this post so much – your mom and your whole family is amazing, and I’m sure she’s so proud of all the work you do! And I’m with ya on that one – powdered sugar is totally an acceptable way to shower someone in love. Can’t wait to see more on the I Heart Daily series – I just signed up so I could read your stuff!
erika
Thank youuu lady!!! So much love <33 Prob should've mentioned that I Heart Daily is targeted towards teenage girls but...it's still cool stuff! I've found a lot of things (music/sites/clothes/orgs) through them!
tahnycooks
I truly don’t know what I would do without my cast iron skillet! It is in my top 5 kitchen essentials! Thank yo for giving me another fantastic recipe to try in it! This is lovely!