This delicious Pannukakku Finnish Pancake with Wild Blueberries is also quick and easy! Flavoured with lemon zest and topped with wild blueberries, it's also served with a delicious maple syrup and wild blueberry sauce.
It's not too late to plan a special Valentine's Day breakfast! This Finnish pancake, known as a Pannukakku, is quick, easy and delicious! Not to mention, special - for a special day. The basic egg/flour/milk batter mixes up in 5 minutes, then it goes into a hot oven for 20-25 minutes. Then it's ready to enjoy.
I spied this recipe in the latest edition of Food & Drink magazine, published here in Ontario by the LCBO. I have to confess, I'd never heard of a Pannukakku and immediately thought it was very much akin to a Dutch baby pancake. I love to try new things though, so I cooked one up to discover the wonders of this Finnish version. I was not disappointed. It was delicious. It was all at once fruity and custardy, with a touch of lemon and sweetness and then that delicious maple/blueberry sauce. I can tell you that it's more dense than a Dutch baby (at least the Dutch baby recipe I use) - like a set custard. It's every bit as special though and definitely worth trying.
Cook's Notes
The original recipe featured Birch syrup instead of maple syrup. While Birch syrup is delicious, it is hard to find and VERY expensive ($25 for 1/2 a cup expensive). The maple syrup was perfect with the blueberries and the pancakes instead, though I do recommend real maple syrup if at all possible.
As noted above, adjust this recipe down to make a smaller dish or to serve fewer people. The recipe is conveniently easy to calculate down by quarters. I used 3/4 of the recipe for my 8x10-inch pan shown here. Halve the recipe for an 8x8-inch pan. My 8x10 pan made 4 generous size squares.
I would use a fuller fat milk if you can. Whole (3.5%) would be best, but I used 2% and it was fine.
Look for wild frozen blueberries in with the frozen fruit at your grocer. President's choice has them here in Canada. Wild blueberries are smaller and pack much more blueberry flavour, which is always a good thing.
I didn't warm my blueberry maple sauce (and yes, it was fully thawed by the time my dish was cooked and pretty much at room temperature). If you are using larger blueberries though, it may be quite cold or slightly frozen still. If so, pop into the microwave for a few seconds (or set out a little earlier to thaw). You could warm the sauce to serve in the microwave or a small saucepan, if you like.
Pannukakku Finnish Pancake with Wild Blueberries
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup frozen wild blueberries, DIVIDED
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup milk, (recommend 2-3.5%)
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- Icing sugar for dusting
- Additional lemon zest for garnish
Instructions
- Take 1/2 cup of the frozen wild blueberries and place in a small bowl with the 1/4 cup of maple syrup. Stir to combine, then set aside. Measure out 1/4 more of wild blueberries and set aside to sprinkle on the batter before baking.
- Place your oven-safe baking dish onto the middle rack of your oven and preheat the oven to 425° F.
- While oven is preheating, mix your batter in a medium bowl by combining the milk, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, flour, salt and sugar. Whisk very well until no lumps remain. Set aside. Melt the butter and have ready.
- When the oven is preheated, remove the pan from the oven and immediately pour in the melted butter. Quickly brush up the sides of the pans, then pour in the prepared batter. Top with reserved 1/4 of blueberries.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until set, very puffy and deep golden brown on the top edges. *Note to check it at about 15 minutes. Mine was very brown on top, so I place a sheet of foil loosely overtop to prevent further browning and then let it cook a few more minutes, until set.
- Remove from oven. Pancake will deflate. Once deflated and while still warm, cut into squares and remove to serving plates. Garnish with icing sugar and additional lemon zest. Pass the blueberry maple syrup sauce for spooning on top.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!
Kristine Simmons says
Made it for brunch, and am making it now at the end of the very same day as a completion to a long week as a reward. Delicious.... and turns out exactly as posted. Not too sweet and amazingly beautiful.
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it, Kristine! Thanks so much :)
Hedda says
Turned out perfect! The lemon is something I had never tried before in Finnish Pancakes. A great addition to the blueberries. I usually add cinnamon and almond extract to the blueberry sauce.
Thank you,
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it, Hedda? Thanks so much :)
Cheryl says
I grew up with Finnish American grandmothers making this, but never with lemons and blueberries. We always did strawberries and raspberries. Great new spin for a favorite.
Jennifer says
Thanks Cheryl! Lemon and blueberry is such a great flavour combination. I think you'll enjoy it :)
Angela says
I too grew up with a Finnish mother who made this. I lost my recipe and found this to be exactly what mine was. I tried another recipe and it was terrible. I definitely will keep this one and make it whenever. I use a cast Iron frypan and melt the butter in it on the stove then pour the batter in and bake it. Always use real maple syrup. No fruit though. Like it just like it is with the syrup. Thanks for posting this recipe.
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Angela! I must try it in my cast iron skillet, as I love to use it whenever I can :) Thanks so much!
B says
Loved it. Easy, delicious and a nice show. Everyone seemed to enjoy. Only needed to cook 15 minutes. Tented with foil after 10 so it would not get too brown. Definitely a keeper.
Jennifer says
So glad to hear! Thanks :)
Elizabeth says
Thoroughly enjoyed! It reminded me of a dessert yorkershire pudding. We enjoy all your lemon blueberry recipes. Thanks.
Jennifer says
So glad to hear! Thanks :)
Lori says
I've made this several times. I'll change the fruit up (sometimes add chocolate chips), but otherwise remain true to the recipe! Truly easy and delicious! I do use a copper pan instead of pyrex. Creates a beautiful golden exterior!
Jennifer says
Sounds lovely, Lori! So glad you are enjoying it :) Thanks!
Irene says
Another hit! Follow directions for a no-fail receipe.
We were missing one or two ingredients for supper receipes set aside but not for this one. Made it in a 9 x 13 pan and watched it rise ... and rise ... and rise! It made four generous portions and was delicious!
Would have liked it to maintain its height so I could have taken a photo to send to my sister. She bragged about the Dutch baby receipes she made. Don't think hers would have been as yummy looking!
Jennifer says
So glad! Mine rose quite impressively, too and we all watched it deflate. I really enjoyed this. A nice change from a Dutch baby.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What a dreamy breakfast, the blueberry topping is so pretty!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Laura :)
Joe says
This looks perfect from my better half's birthday this Saturday. Great way to start the day. I make my own maple syrup so, yes I'll be using that.
Jennifer says
It would be perfect, Joe! And even better with your own maple syrup :) Enjoy!
Jennifer Farley says
What a cozy breakfast!
Jennifer says
Thanks Jennifer :)
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I've never heard of or had pannukakku, but holy moly it looks DELISH! Obviously I missed this before Valentine's Day, but that's not going to stop me from making this beauty! This is perfect for any Sunday brunch... or mid week because I'm totally already craving this for dinner! Loving the custard and blueberries up in here. Drool-fest! Pinned! Cheers, Jennifer!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Cheyanne :)
Rebeccah says
This looks fantastic, and really so incredibly easy. If only I'd seen it yesterday when we had an impromptu breakfast at home! Oh well, there's always next weekend :)
Jennifer says
Thanks Rebeccah and absolutely. Perfect for any weekend :)
Linda | The Baker Who Kerns says
I love the name of this recipe! And it looks so delicious! And I always like the simple flour/egg/milk recipe for pancakes which how we used to make pancakes growing up in Germany.
Jennifer says
Thanks Linda :) We really enjoyed it!
ice pandora says
I've been into Scandinavian food and cooking lately, thanks for the share of this
yummy looking recipe!
Jennifer says
Thanks! I love trying different foods too, and this one didn't disappoint :)
Marie @ Not Enough Cinnamon.com says
I had never heard of pannukakku before but it sure looks delicious and your pictures are beautiful! Love the combo blueberry/lemon :)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Marie. I had never heard of it either, but will definitely be making it again! :)
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Lemon and blueberry are perfect together but made into this gorgeous pancake is nothing short of breakfast perfection! Sharing and loving on this recipe!
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia. Loved this one!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Sounds wonderful Jennifer! I have always loved a blueberry/lemon combo. Perfect warm breakfast for any day!
Jennifer says
Thanks Mary Ann :)
[email protected] says
Wonderful, this is definitely I will have to make. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer says
Thanks Amy :)
Katrina says
So easy! And it looks so warming for this freezing cold weekend. Definitely trying!
Jennifer says
Thanks Katrina and it is so easy. Great for any weekend breakfast!
[email protected] says
This gorgeous pancake looks perfect for the V Day!! I love lemon and blueberry combination, throw in some maple syrup and it's a definite winner. I miss LCBO magazines, I always grab a copy whenever we visit my in-laws in Ontario! ;-)
Jennifer says
Thanks Julia and yes, the LCBO magazines continue to be great!
Huli/Meanwhile in Longfield.. says
Greetings from Finland! Pannukakku is very good and super easy to make. Have a lovely Valentine's Day (in Finnish: Hyvää ystävänpäivää)!
Jennifer says
It was delicious Huli! We will definitely make it again. P.S. I love your dog - from photos you share on instagram :)