You can't go wrong with a Delia Smith recipe and when it comes to pancakes, only the best will do, which is why you need to try her pancake recipe.
It may seem a little bit fiddly at first but this is a tried and tested recipe that has become a family staple for many of us across the UK, producing a pile of delicious pancakes you can then top however you fancy.
How to make Delia Smith's pancake recipe
Delia uses a small 18cm pan, you can use a larger pan, simply ensure you pour in just enough batter to very thinly coat the bottom of the pan to get that classic, almost lacy texture.
Makes: 12
Takes: 30min
110g plain flour, sifted
pinch of salt
2 eggs
200ml milk mixed with 75ml water
50g butter
Caster sugar, lemon juice and lemon wedges, to serve
Method
For the full method, visit Delia Online. It can also be found in Delia’s Winter Collection
TOPPINGS & FILLINGS
Lemon cheesecake
As Delia suggests, a squeeze of lemon and a scattering of crunchy caster sugar finishes off these pancakes delightfully. Why not take it up a notch and add a thin layer of mascarpone before folding or rolling for gorgeous lemon cheesecake vibes!
Ricotta & spinach
For a delicate savoury lunch, wilt two large handfuls of spinach in a frying pan with a tablespoon of water. When cool enough to handle, squeeze with paper towels to remove excess moisture, roughly chop, then stir through enough ricotta cheese to bind the mixture together. Season well and add a pinch of nutmeg, if liked. Spoon along the middle of each pancake, then roll each into cylinders.
Banoffee surprise
For a tempting treat, go for the ultimate banoffee pancake, add banana sllices to a non-stick frying pan, add a knob of butter and a sprinkling of caster sugar and gently cook until lightly caramelised. Spread slightly cooled pancakes with lightly whipped double cream, scatter over the bananas, drizzle with readymade caramel sauce, followed by a grating of dark chocolate.
EQUIPMENT
Perfect pans
Try Delia’s 20cm (17cm base measurement) Little Gem Pan for this batter recipe, ideal for gas and electric hobs. If looking for an alternative for an induction hob, we used the 20cm (15.5cm base measurement) Tower Cerastone T81222 Non-Stick Forged Frying Pan, which worked extremely well, providing a non-stick surface, ideal for smooth flipping and turning.
Successful flipping
Tossing smaller pancakes in the air is a really efficient way of turning them over! Gently wiggle the pan to check the underside of the pancake is cooked and sealed, then flip! But if you're not quite feeling it, gently turn them over with a metal spatula or a silicone spatula works well for smaller pancakes.
TOP TIP
When using thin pancake batter, after one or two pancakes you will master exactly how many tablespoons of batter your pan needs. Keep count, then transfer the desired amount to a small coffee cup, hold it close to the bottom of the pan and pour, then swirl the pan to coat the base.
Angela Romeo is an experienced Editor, Author and Stylist, specialising in food for consumer and customer publishing for over 20 years. Currently working as a Food Content Writer for Bauer Media, she is enjoying life writing for some of the UK’s most popular women’s weekly magazines and contributing to Yours.co.uk.