Searching for an easy pancake recipe for Shove Tuesday? Then look no further.
In the UK, pancakes are traditionally served on Shrove Tuesday, originally as a way to use up foods such as eggs and milk before Lent – the 40 days of fasting that run up to Easter. Yet pancakes are so quick and easy to make – and so versatile with either sweet or savoury fillings – that they make the perfect dessert or snack at any time of year.
A classic way to serve pancakes is to fold them into quarters, with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of caster sugar. Of course any number of fillings and toppings are possible – from chocolate and banana or strawberries and cream to cheese and ham or smoked fish.
Try our easy pancake recipe.
Easy British pancakes
Equipment
- Bowl
- Large frying pan or crêpe pan
Ingredients
- 120 g plain flour
- 300 ml milk
- 1 large egg
- Pinch of salt
- Butter for frying
Method
- Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl, then make a well in the centre. Break the egg into the well and begin to mix it with the flour using a whisk or a wooden spoon. Slowly add the milk in a steady stream while continuing to whisk the mixture. Whisk until all the flour is incorporated and the resulting batter is smooth with the consistency of single cream.
- Let the pancake batter rest for 30 minutes. If it thickens while resting, add a little more milk to return it to the right consistency otherwise you may find it difficult to evenly coat the frying pan when cooking.
- Lightly grease a large frying pan or crêpe pan with melted butter and place it over a medium heat until it is shimmering with heat.
- Pour a ladleful of pancake batter into the pan, tipping the pan quickly so the mixture runs across the bottom to form a thin even layer.
- Cook the pancake for around 40 seconds – the edges should start to curl upwards. Using a palette knife or spatula, lift the edge of the pancake up carefully to check if the underside is light brown.
- Flip the pancake onto the other side. If you want to try the traditional pancake toss, lift the pan from the heat and holding the pan handle in both hands, quickly flip the pancake up into the air to turn it over, then return the pan to the heat.
- Cook for another 30-40 seconds until the pancake moves freely around the pan. Then transfer it to a serving plate.
Notes
Nutrition
Must-have tools for pancake lovers
Mixing bowl
Set of Five Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls, Amazon
Whisk
OXO Good Grips Balloon Whisk, Amazon
Pancake pan
Colourworks Non-Stick Pancake Pan, Amazon
Ladle
Joseph Joseph Nylon Ladle, Amazon
Spatula
Brabantia Large Spatula, Amazon
Sugar shaker
Flyglobal sugar shaker, Amazon
Electric pancake maker
Quest 34400 2-in-1 Popcorn & French Crêpe Pancake Maker, Amazon
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