COCOA DUTCH BABY PANCAKE WITH CHERRIES

Also known as a Bismarck pancake, this recipe is less hands-on than standing over a pan flipping pancakes; something that seems like a good idea from lifestyle photos, but in reality rarely leads to a calm breakfast or brunch. This cocoa-powered version is filled with cooling yoghurt and warmed cherries (a fruit so fine during British summertime that they are incomparable to those sold out of season) – look out for them on Paul Crane’s stall. If sugar overload is not a concern, you could serve the pancake instead with drizzles of runny honey or maple syrup, or a spoonful of dulce de leche. Swap the yoghurt for ice cream and suddenly this morphs into a dessert.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Find a skillet or ovenproof frying pan with a 20–23cm diameter base. You could also divide the pancake mix between two 10–12cm ovenproof pans – just cook in the oven for 2–3 minutes less.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 220C fan/240C/460F/gas mark 9 and place the pan inside to get very hot.

Step 3

When the oven and pan are up to temperature, put the eggs, sugar, salt, f l our, cocoa powder and milk in a blender and blitz for 30 seconds (you could do this by hand in a bowl with a balloon whisk, but the air the blender generates is helpful).

Step 4

Remove the pan from the oven (remembering the handle is hot) and place it over a high heat. Add the butter, let it melt and foam, then swirl it around the pan. Pour the pancake batter into the pan and return the pan to the oven immediately. Cook for 15 minutes, avoiding the temptation to open the oven door.

Step 5

To make the sauce, combine the sugar with 100ml water in a small saucepan.

Step 6

Place over a medium heat and bring to a simmer. Mix the cornf l our with 1 tablespoon tepid water and stir it into the syrup. Add the cherries, cook gently for a minute then remove from the heat and leave to cool and so?en in the residual heat of the pan.

Step 7

?e pancake will be slightly crisp at the edges and billowing when you fi rst take it out, though will inevitably def l ate as it cools. Don’t feel let down by that – fi ll with cherry sauce and yoghurt, then eat straight away (from the pan).