Perfect French Crepe Recipe

How to make French pancakes at home, this really is the perfect French crêpe recipe…

Pancakes are not a new invention. Historians think they were being made at least as far back as 7000 BC in a similar form to how we make them today. They can be eaten hot or cold, sweet or savoury, as a main course, dessert or as a snack. Crêperies specialising in the making of pancakes can be found throughout France.

French style crêpes are made very thin (not like the fluffy American style pancakes) and filled or smothered with something delicious. They’re very easy to make at home and take just a few minutes to prepare. In the north of France it’s traditional to use beer in the mix whilst in Normandy and Brittany people often add a glug of Calvados, apple brandy. Although eaten all year round, it’s traditional in France to cook them on 2nd February for La Chandeleur, “Pancake Day”.

Ingredients for 6-8 pancakes

125g (3/4 cup) plain flour
pinch of salt
1 medium egg
300ml (10.14 oz) milk
25g (2 tablespoons) melted butter

Directions

Mix the flour and salt in a bowl, make a hollow in the centre and drop in the beaten egg. Stir the mix with a fork (to break up any lumps), and add the milk gradually, until all the flour is worked in.

Add the melted butter and beat until them mixture is smooth and creamy.

Heat a small knob of butter in a frying pan and add some batter (give it a stir first) when the butter is hot. As these are thin pancakes you only need around 4 tablespooons worth (quarter of a cup US). When golden brown underneath which takes a short time so keep an eye on them. Then flip them and cook other side. It’s traditional in France on La Chandeleur, pancake day to hold a gold coin in one hand and toss the pancake pan with the other – for good luck!

Serve with whatever you like – honey, fruit, jam, lemon juice and sugar, Chantilly cream and chocolate chips…

Sweet French toppings that turn your pancakes scrumptious!
Crepes Suzette – posh pancakes you won’t be able to resist…