William Tell Pancakes

Ingredients:

Pancake batter

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1.5 cups of flour
• 4 tbsp (60 g) butter, melted

Apple filling

• 4 tbsp (60 g) butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 6 green Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Juice of half a lemon

Caramel sauce

• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/2 vanilla pod
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Special equipment: Electric crepe maker or crepe pan.

Preparation:

1. For the pancake batter: In a stand mixer, combine the eggs, milk, salt, and 1 cup of water until foamy. Add the flour and beat until smooth and lump-free. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the melted butter. Beat for 30 seconds. Let sit for 12 hours or overnight to allow the gluten to "weaken" the dough.
2. For the apple filling: Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar and butter until melted. Once melted, add the chopped apples and cook until softened (7 to 9 minutes). Stir in the cinnamon, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Let the filling cool.
3. For the caramel sauce: Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the sugar and half of the vanilla bean. Heat, stirring constantly. Continue until the sugar turns into a liquid, reddish-brown caramel. Add the butter and stir for 2 minutes, until completely dissolved. Slowly pour in the cream and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and season with salt. Set the sauce aside to cool and thicken before using.
4. Making pancakes: Preheat the crepe maker to 95°C (205°F) or set the pan over low heat. Spread 1/2 cup of batter over the surface. Cook for 1 minute, then flip the crepe. Spread 3/4 cup of the apple filling over it. Cook for 2 minutes, then fold the crepe in half. After another 2 minutes of cooking, fold the right and left thirds of the crescent toward the center. Drizzle the crepe with a little caramel sauce and serve. Repeat with the remaining batter.
5. Note: If desired, you can sprinkle the finished pancakes with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream or ice cream.