As a general rule, when I go to a new restaurant I like to try their signature dish. This past weekend we were in Chicago, and across the street from our hotel was The Original Pancake House (or so the sign said). Their signature dish was an apple pancake, so I ordered it.
The Rest of the Story
It was humongous. It was gigantic. It was the biggest apple pancake I had ever seen. It was coated in a thick, gooey chewy caramel, and I could see why it was their signature dish. Even though it was delicious, I couldn’t finish it.
It turns out that their apple pancake is a dish best shared by two.
I also later learned that the Original Pancake House in Chicago isn’t actually the original. According to their website, the original was founded in Portland, Oregon. It may not be the original, but they still serve one tasty apple pancake.
The Moral of the Story
It doesn’t have to be the original to be good.
About the Recipe
Now we are home, and I am craving an apple pancake. I am making Ken’s Grandma Shirley’s apple pancake recipe. Her pancake is much lighter than the Pancake House’s version, and it is delicious drizzled in warm maple syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
The Cast of Characters
Pick your favorite apple for making these apple pancakes. Any baking apple will do.
The Play-by-Play
In a cast iron skillet, heat a tablespoon of shortening in the oven.
While the shortening is melting, whisk together eggs and salt.
Set aside the batter, while you peel and slice a couple of apples.
Remove the skillet from the oven, and pour the batter into it.
Place the sliced apples on top of the batter.
Remove the pancake from the oven when it is brown around the edges.
Transfer the pancake to a plate and serve.
Recipe: Grandma Shirley’s Apple Pancake
Summary: An old-fashioned apple pancake baked in a cast iron skillet
Ingredients
1 tablespoon shortening
3 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/3 cup flour
½ cup milk
1-2 apples, pared and sliced thinly
Instructions
- Put 1 tablespoon of shortening in an iron skillet, and place the skillet in a 450-degree oven while mixing the rest of the ingredients.
- Beat the eggs and salt until light. Blend the sugar and flour together, then add them to the egg mixture. Beat the batter until it is smooth. Add milk, beating more until blended.
- Remove the skillet from the oven, and pour the batter into the hot skillet. Place the apple slices on top to cover the batter. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve with sprinkled powdered sugar or warm syrup.
Number of servings (yield): 4
Meal type: breakfast
My rating:
The Footnotes
- Selecting the apples: Any good baking apple will work. I have even used regular eating apples. For this demonstration, I used one Red Delicious and one Granny Smith for a nice mix of sweet and tart flavor.
- Slicing the apples: Slice the apples as thinly as possible to help them cook through. I slice mine about ¼ an inch thick.
4 replies on “An Apple Pancake Original”
Mmmm, that looks really good. I love using my cast iron skillet. I have a recipe similar to this. The kids love it! This is my ultimate breakfast for dinner 😀
Breakfast for dinner is the best!
This looks amazing. I am in the apple mood lately. I bought a bunch at the grocery store over the weekend and have been munching on them like crazy.
Thanks! I still have some apples left in the fridge too. I’m thinking of making apple crisp soon too.