Crepes

Crepes refers to a type of very thin pancakes, often associated with French cuisine. Crepes are made with a mixture of flour, eggs, milk, and butter. The batter is poured onto a hot, flat skillet or crepe pan and spread thinly to create a delicate, lacy texture.

Crepes can be filled with both sweet and savoury ingredients. Common sweet fillings include nutella, whipped cream, fruits, or chocolate, while popular savoury fillings include cheese, ham, mushroom or eggs. Refer to notes for more filling suggestions. They can be served as a dessert, breakfast, or a light meal, depending on the filling and accompaniments.

The art of making crepes involves a bit of skill in spreading the batter thinly and flipping the delicate pancakes without tearing them. The temperature of the pan is another crucial factor when making crepes. Ensure that the pan is well-heated before you start making crepes. A moderately hot pan is generally ideal. Allow the pan to heat evenly, and you can test its readiness by sprinkling a few drops of water on the surface. If the water droplets sizzle and evaporate quickly, the pan is ready.

Maintain a consistent temperature throughout the crepe-making process. Fluctuating temperatures can lead to uneven cooking and texture issues. You may need to adjust the heat during the cooking process. If the crepes are cooking too quickly or browning too much, lower the heat. Conversely, if they are taking too long to cook, slightly increase the heat. Depending on your stove and pan, it might take a bit of experimentation to find the optimal temperature for your crepes. Pay attention to the first crepe and adjust the heat accordingly.

Crepes

Print Recipe

Crepes are thin, delicate pancakes made with a simple batter of flour, eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt, cooked on a flat griddle or skillet. This can be filled with a variety of sweet or savoury ingredients such as fresh fruits, chocolate, cheese, ham, or vegetables.

Course Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine French

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Resting time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings 3 people

Author sumisculinarynotes

Ingredients

1 cup = 250ml

• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp melted unsalted/salted butter
• 2 room temperature eggs
• 1 ¼ cup or 300ml room temperature milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract optional
• Additional butter or oil for greasing the pan

Instructions

• In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients, flour, salt, and sugar. If you are using salted butter omit the salt in the flour or reduce it to a pinch.
• In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, melted butter and whisk well. Add the vanilla essence and milk and whisk.
• Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients, gradually pour the wet ingredients and mix well until the batter is smooth and without any lumps. The batter should be smooth, thin, and pourable. Strain if necessary to remove any lumps.
• Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, but you can proceed without resting if you’re short on time. However, this resting period allows the flour to fully absorb the liquid, resulting in a smoother batter and better-textured crepes.
• If the batter seems too thick after resting, you can adjust the consistency by adding a bit more milk. If it’s too thin, you can add a small amount of flour.
• Heat a non-stick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat.
• Add a small amount of butter or oil to coat the pan lightly.
• Pour a small amount of batter into the centre of the hot pan, and immediately lift the pan off the heat, swirl the pan to spread the batter thinly across the bottom.
• Cook the crepe for about 1-2 minutes until the edges begin to brown. Use a spatula to carefully flip the crepe and cook the other side for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Continue this process with the remaining batter. Stack the cooked crepes on a plate as you go.
• Serve with the add-ons of your choice and enjoy!

Notes

Paying attention to the temperature of the pan and making adjustments as needed will help you achieve the perfect crepes.

Sweet crepes

Spread Nutella/almond butter/peanut butter on the crepe and add sliced bananas. Fill the crepe with fresh strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream. This creates a light and fruity dessert. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the crepe and sprinkle it with sugar. A simple yet delightful option with a tangy kick. Drizzle melted chocolate or chocolate sauce over the crepe and top it with mixed berries for a treat. Cook thinly sliced apples in caramel sauce and fold them into the crepe. This combination offers a sweet and slightly gooey texture.

Savoury crepes

Place thin slices of ham and your favourite cheese inside the crepe. You can add a touch of Dijon mustard for extra flavour. Sauté fresh spinach and mix it with crumbled feta cheese. Fill the crepe with this savoury and nutritious combination. Combine cooked shredded chicken with pesto sauce and fill the crepe. Spread cream cheese on the crepe and layer it with smoked salmon. Top it with capers and fresh dill. Combine cooked sausage with scrambled eggs and cheese for a savoury breakfast crepe.

Feel free to get creative and mix and match different fillings to suit your taste preferences.