Souffle Pancakes

Souffle Pancakes


2 egg yolks
1/2 cup half and half
1/3 cup flour
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 egg whites
chopped fresh fruit
Powdered sugar for garnish (optional)

Preheat the broiler in your oven.  Alternately, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Beat the egg yolks and half and half in a large bowl until well mixed.  Slowly whisk in the flour, stirring just until combined, then whisk in the butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla.  Set aside

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric beater until they form soft peaks.  Gently fold the whites into the batter, folding just until the whites disappear.  You don't want to flatten your egg whites, lest you compromise the fluffiness of your lovely souffle

Lightly grease a 10-inch nonstick ovenproof pan and set it over medium-high heat for one minute.  Pour the batter into the hot pan and reduce heat to medium.  Cook the pancake for 5 minutes, until the batter begins to firm up a bit.  Drop chunks of chopped fruit onto the surface of the pancake.

Place the pan 5 inches below the hot broiler, or if you don't have a broiler, slide the pan into the preheated oven.  Bake for 2-3 minutes, or until the pancake is puffed up and center is set but still soft.  Watch carefully to make sure the top doesn't burn.  These things tend to head south pretty quickly, so don't walk away from your oven while the souffle pancake is baking.

Slide the pancake onto a plate using a spatula.  Dust with powdered sugar and more fruit, if you like.  Eat immediately.