Perfect Pancakes for Pancake Day

Pancake Day or more traditionally known as Shrove Tuesday is one of my favourite times of the year. Of course it is, I hear my friends say – it’s food related!

This year Pancake Day falls on Tuesday 9th February 2016. It’s a day where in my opinion you can stuff yourself silly with the delicious delights of batter mixture with the pure heaven of lemon and sugar – mmmmmmm!

I’m not a massive sweet tooth, but I do love pancakes – crepes version, none of this American style stodgy business – that’s not a proper pancake in my opinion. The thinner the better.

The great thing about pancakes is that they are dead easy to make – although not the most healthiest of meals if you plan on coating them with lemon and sugar in my case, or Nutella! However they are super tasty and a great treat now and again!

Pancake TossingLemon and Sugar Pancake

 

All you need is plain flour, eggs and milk, as well as your favourite toppings, a decent non-stick frying pan and butter.

Here is my pancake recipe to success:

Apparently this makes 12 pancakes – but it actually makes 6-7 in my large frying pan. My top tip – double the pancake mixture if you are feeling hungry or feeding an army!

Ingredients

  • 100g plain flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 300ml milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • Butter
  • Lemons
  • Caster Sugar

Method

  1. Put the flour, eggs, milk and a pinch of salt in a bowl and mix until you get a smooth batter.
  2. Set aside in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  3. Put a frying pan over a medium heat and when hot add a piece of butter and swirl around to cover the edges.
  4. Add a ladle full of batter to cover the whole pan – don’t add too much batter though you just need a thin coating.
  5. After about a minute flip over onto the other side for another minute until golden brown on both sides.
  6. Transfer onto a plate and add your favourite toppings – lemon and sugar!
  7. Repeat until you run out of mixture or you cannot stomach any more pancakes!

Top tips for pancake success

  1. Make sure when you whisk the batter you get a lot of air into it
  2. Leave the pancake mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cooking for the best results
  3. Use a non-stick frying pan to ensure your pancake doesn’t stick at that crucial moment
  4. Ensure the pan is really hot before adding lard or butter
  5. Don’t touch the pancake – let it cook before tossing or flipping to avoid the pancake breaking
  6. If planning on tossing your pancake, ensure you toss confidently in one movement to avoid your pancake landing on the floor!

Perfect Pancake for Pancake Day

 

Pancake Topping Ideas

Personally, in my opinion you cannot beat lemon and sugar! However other great toppings include:

  • Nutella and strawberries
  • Maple syrup or honey
  • Freshly squeezed oranges with sugar
  • Bananas, cinnamon and honey
  • Lemon, sugar and maple syrup

For those who love savoury pancakes then bacon and maple syrup is great and so is cheese and ham.

I wouldn’t recommend marmite and cheese though! However why not experiment with your pancake toppings the next time you make them! I’d love to hear what your favourite creative or most unusual pancake toppings are.