Author Notes
This is a traditional oven-baked pancake from Sweden (okay, it's more like an enriched rice pudding than pancake, but given the name I'd say it qualifies). Usually it's made with whole or chopped almonds, but I love the smoothness of ground. Saffron + sweetness + cream + blueberry jam? Best pancakes ever. —deensiebat
Test Kitchen Notes
Deensiebat’s Saffranspannkaka is a rich amalgam of familiar comfort fare. Not quite a pancake, it satisfies all the requisite sensory associations: best enjoyed warm (in this case from the oven), each custardy bite is deliciously hearty without being heavy. The rice and almond meal provide substance and texture, and a good base to contrast the lightness of freshly whipped cream and sweet blueberry jam. While I can imagine this makes a wonderful breakfast, we enjoyed it for dessert. Even the most loyal pancake lovers should try this for a change of pace – all the pancake enthusiasts at my table exclaimed, “Mmmm…I love saffranspannkaka!” —gingerroot
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Ingredients
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1 1/2 cups
water
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2 cups
milk
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1 pinch
salt
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1 tablespoon
butter
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3/4 cup
short-grain rice, such as sushi rice
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2 cups
whipping cream, divided
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1 pinch
saffron threads, crumbled
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1/3 cup
sugar, plus additional for sweetening cream if desired
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1/4 cup
ground almond meal
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4
eggs
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blueberry jam, for serving
Directions
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In a large saucepan, bring the water, milk, salt, butter and rice to a boil, then reduce the heat until it's just high enough to maintain a simmer. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is totally tender and the liquid has absorbed and thickened to form a thick porridge.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and butter a 9- by13-inch casserole dish.
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Stir 1 cup of the cream, the crumbled saffron, the sugar and the almond meal into the cooked rice porridge, and simmer for a few minutes until the yellow saffron color permeates the mixture, then turn off the heat. When the mixture has cooled to room temperature, stir in the eggs, and mix until well-combined
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Pour the mixture into your prepared casserole dish, and bake until the mixture is set but not too dry, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, approximately 30 minutes.
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Whip the remaining cup of cream, and sweeten it with sugar to taste (the pancake itself is fairly lightly sweetened). Serve the warm pancake topped with whipped cream and blueberry jam.
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