Happy Pancake Day! As this Muse edition is published on one of the best days of the year it’s only right that this Food and Drink piece is centred around the delicacy that is pancakes. Also known as ‘Shrove Tuesday’, Pancake Day is based on the traditional feast that takes place just before Lent; to use up ingredients such as eggs, flour and sugar before the 40-day fasting period, early Christians made pancakes. Over the years, the tradition has spread and is now enjoyed by many from different communities and faiths.
Below are some of my favourite pancake recipes that I have tried and tested over the years, including some gluten free and vegan options. Also, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best places in the city to buy pancakes. Enjoy!
Recipes
The classic crêpe
This classic pancake recipe is super easy and takes very little time. It is one of my go-to recipes for when I’m craving some crêpe style pancakes. BBC Good Food have nailed this simple, delicious pancake.
Makes: 12
Ingredients:
- 100g Plain flour
- 2 eggs
- 300ml milk
- 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, plus a little extra for frying
- Pinch of salt
- Chosen toppings
Method:
- Add the flour, eggs, milk and 1 tbsp oil to a bowl and whisk until the batter is a smooth consistency.
- Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and carefully wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper.
- Once hot, add your mixture and cook for about 1 minute on each side, until it is golden.
- Finish by serving up with some delicious toppings, such as lemon and sugar, Nutella and fruit or yoghurt and fruit.
Oat Pancakes
This gluten-free pancake recipe is a perfect way to incorporate slow energy-releasing oats into your diet if you don’t like porridge.
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 30g quick oats
- 1 banana
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Cooking spray or butter
Method:
- Mash your banana in a bowl and then stir in your oats and a beaten egg.
- Add your baking powder and vanilla extract.
- If you have access to a blender, you can blend the mixture however as the oats are quick oats blending is not necessary.
- Spray your pan with oil or butter and cook on medium heat. Give each side about 2 minutes.
- Serve up with some delicious toppings and enjoy.
Zoe Sugg’s, American style Pancakes
Makes: 10
Ingredients:
- 200g plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 250ml milk
- 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter, for frying
Method:
- Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate jug whisk the milk and eggs. Once combined, gradually pour the wet mixture into the centre of the dry ingredients whilst stirring until the consistency is smooth.
- Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and carefully wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper
- Add your mixture to the pan and cook for 2-4 minutes on each side. Once you see little bubbles appear on the pancake that is a sign it's ready to flip over.
- Serve with chosen toppings and enjoy
The Buddhist Chef’s Vegan pancakes
This pancake recipe comes highly recommended by my vegan friend. Definitely worth a try!
Makes: 10
Ingredients:
- 450g plain flour
- 30g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 60ml vegetable oil
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 750ml non-dairy milk
- 2 tbsp oil for frying
Method:
- Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and carefully wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper.
- Add your mixture to the pan and cook for 2 minutes on each side, to ensure the pancake is lightly golden.
- Serve with chosen toppings and enjoy.
Freezer pancakes
This simple trick is great for storing pancake batter. It is an easy, tasty breakfast that gives you perfect pancakes in a matter of minutes! Great for busy mornings.
Method
- Pour your favourite pancake mix into an ice cube tray and freeze for up to 2 months (depending on the recipe).
- Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and carefully wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper.
- Pop the frozen pancake cube on the pan, place a lid over the pan and cook for about 4 minutes on each side.
- Serve with toppings and enjoy.
The best places to get Pancakes in town:
The Double Dutch Pancake House
Nestled right in the centre of the city is the amazing Double Dutch Pancake House. Offering every type of pancake you can imagine from savoury to sweet, gluten free to vegan, this pancake house has something for everyone. The pancakes range in price from about £5.45 for their sweet ‘Lemon squeezy’ pancake to £11.25 for their ‘Full Dutch meat and cheese’ savoury pancake, but with a valid student card you get a 10 percent discount! Each sweet pancake is served with icing sugar and ice cream or whipped cream. They offer an ‘Afternoon special’ Monday to Friday from 2pm to closing which includes a pancake and a choice of hot or cold drink for £7. They also offer waffles, sundaes, sandwiches and toast if pancakes aren’t really your thing. It is a walk-in restaurant only however so if you are planning on going any time around Pancake Tuesday I recommend going early or being prepared to wait in a queue.
Drift In
One of my absolute favourite food spots for lunch and brunch, Drift In, does incredible crepes. Also offering gluten free and vegan options, Drift In, has a wide range of sweet and savoury pancakes for everyone. It also offers a 10 percent discount for students and NHS workers with valid ID! Similarly, to Double Dutch Pancake House, you can’t book Drift In but the queue moves generally quickly.
Krep
Serving up heavenly sourdough savoury and sweet crêpes, Krep is a pancake lover's dream. According to their website Krep was “Established by two friends: a French crêpe master and a creative chef” and is a result of “their faith in a street food concept of classic cuisine that can be exciting and unpredictable.” Krep is certainly unpredictable and in the best way. The creators constantly change their menu items keeping their flavours and concepts fresh and unique. Last year for Pancake Day they donated a generous proportion of their profits to the Ukraine Appeal and this year they continue this incredible work by donating to Mind Charity and to DEC (Disaster Emergency Committee). Head to Krep this Pancake Day to support two vital organisations and a fantastic local business.
Bill’s Bottomless Pancakes Brunch £7.50 special
Feeling super confident about your pancake-eating abilities? Well, why not head to Bill’s and take on their ‘Pancake Day challenge’. This year Bill’s challenges you to eat the most amount of pancakes in 90 minutes to win a year’s supply of free pancakes! For the entire day Bill’s will be offering their ‘Bottomless Pancakes’ brunch, which normally is served between 3-5pm. If taking part, you will be given a score sheet to keep a tally of how many pancakes you have eaten and then you post it on Instagram and tag ‘Bill's Restaurants’. You can even add unlimited hot drinks for an extra £3.50 or unlimited prosecco from £18.50. They serve buttermilk pancakes with fresh strawberries, cream, caramelised hazelnuts, & pancake syrup. I recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
