Christmas pudding and Easter eggs are all well and good but let's be honest, no public holiday has better food associated with it than Pancake Day.
Whether you prefer them thin and covered in lemon and sugar or thick and fluffy with bacon, there's a pancake for everyone. And better still, they're the perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee.
With that in mind, we've rounded up some of the best sweet and savoury pancake recipes the culinary world has to offer for you to make at home on March 1st and enjoy over a cup of the good stuff.
Polite pancake notice
If you're planning on making several pancakes and serving them up together, preheat your oven to a low heat and keep the pancakes warm in there - just place them on an oven-proof plate and cover with tin foil.
Cheese and ham pancakes
Not got much of a sweet tooth? No problem - these simple savoury sensations will have you counting the days until Pancake Day 2023.
Ingredients
To make four cheese and ham pancakes, you will need:
200g plain flour
2 large eggs, beaten
500ml milk
oil, for frying
130g ham, cut into small chunks
150g cheddar cheese, grated
Start by combining the flour, eggs and milk with a generous pinch of salt in a large bowl. Next, heat a crepe or frying pan until very hot, add a little oil and swirl it around until evenly distributed. Ladle a spoonful of the pancake mixture into the pan, tipping it to ensure an even covering.
Cook for 30 seconds, then flip. Add some cheese and ham and cook until the cheese starts to melt. Sprinkle on a little black pepper and serve immediately with a freshly made latte.
Chocolate pancakes
Why are you wasting your time reading this bit?! CHOCOLATE PANCAKE RECIPE BELOW!!
Ingredients
To make 16 pancakes (that's right!), you will need:
225g self-raising flour
50g cocoa powder, sieved
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp caster sugar
2 large eggs
400ml whole milk
100g dark chocolate chips
1 tbsp vegetable oil
50g unsalted butter, cubed
First, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and sugar together in a large bowl, then add a pinch of salt. Add the eggs and whisk until you have a smooth batter, then slowly whisk in the milk and mix in the chocolate chips.
Next, heat a little oil and butter in a non-stick frying pan until sizzling. Using 2 tbsp of batter per pancake, cook for 2 mins until the pancake's surface starts to bubble. Flip and cook for 2 more mins, then serve immediately with a cappuccino.
Top the pancakes with whipped cream, ice cream, berries or maple syrup if you really want to push the boat out.
Vegan banana pancakes
Everybody deserves to enjoy Pancake Day and this gluten-free recipe will have vegans licking their lips in no time.
Ingredients
To make 12 vegan banana pancakes, you will need:
1 large ripe banana
2 tbsp golden caster sugar
¼ tsp fine salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra for cooking
120g self-raising flour
½ tsp baking powder
150ml oat, almond or soya milk
syrup, sliced banana and berries, to serve (optional)
Begin by mashing the banana in a mixing bowl, then stir in the sugar, salt and oil, add the flour and baking powder and mix thoroughly. Make a well in the centre and gently whisk in the milk until the batter combines and thickens.
Heat a little oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add 2 tbsp of the batter and fry on each side for 2-3 mins until golden, then serve with the syrup, sliced banana, berries and a black coffee.
Coffee pancakes
Because the only thing better than coffee and pancakes is coffee pancakes!
Ingredients
To make four coffee pancakes, you will need:
250g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
butter, to cook
Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a medium sized bowl. Next, beat the egg and buttermilk together in a small bowl, then whisk in the instant coffee until completely blended. Combine with the dry mix and whisk until almost smooth.
Heat a heavy-set pan over a medium heat and add 1 tbsp butter. Add 4 tbsp of the batter and cook until bubbles form on the surface of the pancake. Flip and cook until golden brown, then serve with a little butter and your coffee of choice.
Celebrate Pancake Day with Cafe2U
We love a pancake (or three) at Cafe2U but don't worry, our mobile baristas will still be out on the roads on Pancake Day, so you can still have your favourite coffees delivered direct to your home or office. Get in touch with your nearest van to place an order here.