For Candlemas or throughout the year, there are a thousand and one ways to treat yourself to crepes. It’s the perfect opportunity to have a good time with friends and family around a table covered with crepes and garnishes that fit everyone’s likings.
Candlemas
There are plenty of good reasons to want to eat one (or more) crepes, but do you know why do we typically eat crepes on Candlemas in Frnace?
The month of February is known to be the time of the first seeds, during this time of the year there were many celebrations held to invoke the deities favorable to both fertility and the harvest; calling for good fortune. One of the ways to attract good fortune was to eat pancakes.
Crepe dough base
In reality, making crepes is not very complicated. I have prepared all my best tips for you to obtain a very smooth, homogeneous and easy to cook dough to obtain light, creamy and soft crepes.
What’s in a basic crepe recipe? Eggs, milk, butter and flour. That’s all. You can either do it the quick way by adding all the ingredients in a blender or learn all the art of making a perfect crêpe dough. I’m giving you all the explanations in the below article.
For those who want to try experimenting with different ingredients, why not try pancakes with hazelnut milk which adds flavor and allows you to use less butter, or using chestnut flour for a gluten-free recipe, and a touch of originality.
How to fold your crepes
When folding pancakes, everyone seems to have their own technique, there must be dozens of more or less original folding methods. Everyone has their own style, whether it’s to be practical, have fun or impress. The art of folding can highlight the presentation, the recipe or a star ingredient!
I have prepared a little tutorial for you to inspire you, whether for delicious, sweet or savory crepes. Sorry it’s with the French folding names but I think the tutorial will be clear enough to guide you.
Discover lollipop, hexagon or even boat foldings. Of course, let your imagination go wild to create the most unique folds.
In the end, whatever the folding, we all end up with messy fingers!
Traditional recipes
Crepe suzette is most often what we call a crepe that has a caramelized orange sauce and that has been flambéed.
However, there is actually another version of the crepe suzette, the original recipe, which is not flambéed.
Whether the crepe suzette is made with orange butter as tradition dictates or whether it is made flambéed before our eyes, both take on the subtle taste of orange.
To make the crepe suzette, whichever one tempts you, I have two versions of the recipe you can follow as well as a read a little more about history to discover where the crepe suzette comes from.
What to put on your crepes?
When it comes to what garnishes to put on your pancakes, the list is endless. There is something for everyone, we discover new possibilities all the time, garnishes can be mixed and matched with each other to make the perfect crepe for you.
Garnish inspo list:
- Sugar
- Butter & sugar
- Sugar & lemon
- Sugar & cinnamon
- Nutella/Chocolate
- Banana and chocolate
- Caramel
- Jam
- Cinnamon applesauce
- Peanut butter
- Fresh fruits
- Red berries mix
- Blackberry
- Mango
And for the toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Strawberry sauce
- Crushed nuts
- Chocolate chunks
- Lemon or orange juice
- Coconut chunks
With these few suggestions, you can already make a number of combinations to try in your next crepes.
You can also find my recipe for pear and salted butter caramel sauce to try during your next crepe soiree.
Bon Appétit !
