How to Make Dutch Cannababies

These delectable treats may not be diet friendly, but they are delicious and can be made with either cannabutter or normal butter.

As some Gentle Readers are already aware, I am fond of recipes on the verge of being lost, and these tasty treats are too good to let slip into obscurity. 'Dutch babies' are traditional breakfast concoctions from the 1940s that are also good as a late-night dessert.

Dutch babies are typically made in a medium-sized cast iron skillet, but a souffle pan or a few ramekins can be substituted. The little pancakes can be mixed by hand, but a blender takes much of the work out of the process. An easy dish for beginner-level cooks, these are well suited for mellowed munching.

Ingredients:

¾ cup (170 grams) butter
4 eggs
1 cup (125 grams) flour
1 cup (240 mL) milk

Preheat the oven to 425° F (220° C). When the oven is almost ready, put the butter into the pan and then place the pan inside the oven to melt the butter. Cannabutter (Cannabis-infused butter) can be used, but make sure it is a nice-tasting butter since any strong or unpleasant flavor will not be hidden well.

Blend the four eggs in the blender for about a minute - or whip by hand for several minutes - until they turn a light yellow color.

Next, slowly incorporate first the milk, then the flour. Measurements should be close, but the recipe is very forgiving of slight inaccuracies. Mix the batter for a minute or so, once all the milk and flour has been added.

Pour the batter into the pan of melted butter, and put into the center rack of the oven. Cook for twenty to twenty-five minutes. As the Dutch baby cooks, the sides will rise before the center, creating a bowl shape that is interesting to watch develop (through an oven window).

They will fall within minutes of being removed from the oven, but this is part of what gives them their unusual texture.

Try them with a little powdered sugar sprinkled on top; a little fruit puree, such as mango, or jelly are other popular toppings.

Gentle Readers, on a personal note: Dutch babies are special to me, since they remind me of a lesson I have learned along my path. I had an acquaintance who, in all honesty, was never very nice to me. In fact, he was downright rude to me on more than one occasion. He fell gravely ill, and was not expected to live for long. He reminisced about having Dutch Babies as a child, and asked me to find a recipe and make them for him - it should come as no surprise that, in person, I am known for being pretty crafty when it comes to such things. I had never heard of them before, but deathbed requests are a bit hard to refuse, even from those whom have been less than kind. So I found a few recipes, and learned how to make them for him.

He was appreciative, enjoyed them, and then passed on a few days afterward. Later, it would occur to me that not only did I really like Dutch babies, but I likely would not have had the joy of experiencing them if I had turned my back on his request, and that I had him to thank for introducing me to this delightful, if simple, dish. I may not be sure exactly what I learned from that, but I am certain I learned something.