German Pear Pancake

Ingredients

• 2 large firm pears , cored and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
• 0.5 cups white sugar , divided
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1.5 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 0.25 cups unsalted butter , sliced
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 0.5 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar , or to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Toss pear slices with 1/4 cup white sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest to coat.

2. 2

   Place butter in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet; place skillet on center rack of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Remove skillet from oven once butter just melted, 3 to 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Beat eggs in a large bowl until frothy; stir in milk, remaining 1/4 cup white sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until just combined. Sift flour into egg mixture; stir until batter is just mixed.

4. 4

   Stir pear slices into melted butter; spread into a single layer. Pour batter over pears.

5. 5

   Bake in the preheated oven until pancake is set in the middle, the sides have risen, and the bottom is browned, 28 to 30 minutes. Top pancake with confectioners' sugar.