Ghee Dutch Baby with Cinnamon Pears & Acacia Honey

At the Lello table

A Dutch baby does not demand a long list of ingredients. Its pleasure is in the contrast between its crisp, rising edges and custardy center. A light coating of ghee cooking spray prepares the pan, while pears are warmed just until tender and cinnamon-scented. Acacia honey, delicate rather than insistent, belongs over the finished pancake.

Method

1. While the skillet is still cold, spray its interior with a thin, even coating of Mantova Ghee Oil Spray, following the can's safety instructions. Put the coated skillet on the center oven rack and heat the oven to 425°F / 220°C. Leave the skillet inside for 10 minutes after the oven reaches temperature.
2. Blend the eggs, flour, milk, sugar and salt until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. Rest the batter for 5 minutes while you prepare the pears.
3. Melt the butter in a separate sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pear slices and cinnamon and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning once or twice, until the slices soften and turn lightly golden but hold their shape. Stir in the lemon juice. Remove from the heat.
4. Using an oven mitt, carefully remove the very hot skillet and set it on a heatproof surface. Immediately pour in the batter, return the skillet to the oven, and bake undisturbed for 18 to 22 minutes until dramatically puffed and well browned at the edges.
5. Remove the Dutch baby from the oven. Its center will settle naturally. Spoon the warm pears over the center, leaving the crisp rim visible.
6. Drizzle with acacia honey, add chopped toasted nuts if using, and serve at once, directly from the skillet.

Lello Note

• Do not open the oven door during baking; the first burst of oven heat is what lifts the pancake.
• Acacia honey has a clean, mild sweetness, so it accents the pears without dominating them. The Lello jar is 8.8 oz / 250 g.
• Scatter nuts at the very end to preserve their crunch. The pears should be glossy, not swimming in sauce.

Substitutions

• Apples can replace pears; slice them thinly and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer if needed.
• Use whole-milk dairy-free alternatives only if necessary; rise and browning may differ.
• If ghee spray is unavailable, brush the cold skillet with a thin film of melted ghee or butter before preheating, taking care not to use aerosols on hot cookware.
• Skip the nuts for a nut-free version, subject to checking all package allergen labels.

To serve

Set the skillet on a folded linen at the center of the brunch table. Serve with good coffee and plain cultured yogurt or crème fraîche alongside, rather than piling more toppings onto the pancake.

Storage & make-ahead

The Dutch baby is best the moment it leaves the oven. Refrigerate any leftovers promptly for up to 2 days and warm briefly in a low oven; it will not regain its original height. Refrigerate cooked pears separately.