Crepes
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Homemade Crepes are a staple recipe! They are perfectly thin and tender, deliciously buttery and delicate and cooked to golden brown speckled perfection.
These easy crepes are just as good as you’ll find at your local crêpery! And the topping or filling possibilities are endless!
What is a Crepe?
A crepe is a very thin, pancake-like pastry, typically served for breakfast or dessert. They trace their roots to the Greeks and then after that to the French.
If you visit France, be sure to visit the many crêperies that are found in Brittany.
Crepes typically come in a sweet and savory version. (I’ve included a recipe for savory below). And people of all ages love them!
What are Crepes Made of?
Traditional French crepes are made up of simple ingredients such as flour, milk or water, eggs, and salt then frequently they’ll also include butter or oil, and vanilla. No leavening agent (like baking soda or baking powder) is required, these are a wafer thin, flat and delicate pastry.
Best Crepe Batter Ratio
This is the ratio I like for crepes, 1 cup flour, 1 1/2 cups milk, and 3 eggs. Some may say it’s 1 too many eggs but they give the crepes a better overall structure/texture and they hold together better and aren’t tearing as much.
I’ve tested with both 2 and 3 eggs, go for 3. Also why use water when you can use milk? It gives more flavor as does a hint of vanilla.
Best Equipment to Mix Crepe Batter
For crepes my favorite method for mixing the made from scratch batter is just to use the blender for a smooth lump free batter (plus bonus, it’s the quickest mixing method). Then to let the batter settle and to allow the liquids to saturate the starches you need to let the batter rest for 1 hour (in a rush 30 minutes will probably do).
Do I Need a Crepe Maker or Crepe Pan?
I’ve never owned a crepe maker or crepe pan so don’t worry about buying a special pan just to make crepes. Just a non-stick pan with a good non-stick coating will do (I just don’t recommend use a pan where the coating has started to wear off, the crepes may stick).
Crepe Recipe Ingredients
For these easy crepes you’ll only need 7 basic ingredients:
- Milk: I like to use 2% milk here for the best consistency. Whole milk will works too but I like to add an extra tablespoon or two since it has a thicker consistency.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works best here to build up the structure. Nothing too delicate and nothing too protein rich (which would make the crepes overly chewy).
- Sugar: This makes the crepes a little more tender and adds a hint of sweet flavor.
- Salt: Don’t skip this ingredient, it really brings out the flavor in the crepes so they aren’t flat.
- Butter: Though not every recipes uses this I see it as a must. It adds rich flavor, makes them more tender, and it prevents them from sticking to the pan.
- Vanilla: Used to add a light background flavor. If you are making savory crepes you can omit this.
- Eggs: Eggs are a crucial ingredient in crepes. They bind everything together.
Scroll down for ingredient amounts, directions and print option.
How to Make Crepes
- Blend ingredients in blender: Add milk, flour, sugar, salt, butter, vanilla and eggs to a blender, then blend on low speed until well combined, about 10 seconds.
- Scrape sides and bottom of blender if there’s any flour sticking and blend a few seconds longer.
- Rest batter: Cover and chill 1 hour (or overnight if desired).
- Preheat skillet: Heat a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Gently stir batter with a spoon just to blend separated layers.
- Pour batter into buttered skillet: Lightly butter skillet then lift pan and pour a scant 1/4 cup batter into pan, immediately tilt and swirl pan in circular motion to evenly coat entire bottom portion of pan with batter.
- Cook until set: Cook until golden brown brown on bottom then use an offset spatula to lift an edge of the crepe, grab the edge of the crepe with your fingertips and flip crepe to opposite side. Cook until golden brown spots appear on bottom.
- Transfer to a wire rack.
- Repeat cooking process: Repeat until all of the batter has been used up (if needed reduce burner temperature slightly).
- Top as wrap as desired!
Watch How Easy Crepes are in this Video:
Crepe Filling Ideas
Crepes are the perfect base for all your favorite filling and toppings. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
- Nutella and diced strawberries
- Sliced bananas and caramel sauce
- Sweetened cream cheese or mascarpone and berry fruit compote (or try THIS whipped cheesecake topping!)
- Cannoli filling
- Lemon curd
- Sweetened whipped cream and fresh fruit (peaches, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Yogurt
- Chocolate sauce
- Maple syrup
- Or go the savory route (omit the sugar and vanilla) and fill with ham or bacon and eggs (like THESE)
Tips for the Best Crepes Every Time:
- Use a blender to mix the batter, this ensures thorough mixing and prevents lumps.
- Let batter rest at least 1 hour. This helps gluten develop leaving you with soft and tender crepes.
- Use a non-stick pan! And heavy bottom is preferred. This allows even heat and no sticking.
- Cook over medium heat. These are delicate and you don’t want to burn over a hotter setting.
- Use butter to grease the pan, butter equals better flavor vs. using oil or a non-stick spray.
- Measure out the portion of batter, that way your crepes won’t be too thin or too thick. You’ll have just the right amount of batter.
- Get ready to tilt and swirl! The pan will be warm so you’ll want to immediately start swirling around so the batter doesn’t just settle and cook in the middle.
- Serve them warm. You can cover cooked crepes with a clean kitchen towel so they stay warm while you cook the remainder.
I used to be too intimidated to try and make crepes but then one day I gave it a go, then of course I realized how easy it was and now I’m hooked. It really is a must have recipe!
Try this recipe for yourself and tell me what you think in the comments below. Do you think it’s the best crepe recipe too??
More Delicious Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love:
- Eggs Benedict
- Buttermilk Pancakes
- German Pancake
- French Toast
- Frittata (with Bacon Tomatoes Spinach and Swiss)
- Belgian Waffles
Follow Cooking Classy
Crepes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (350ml) milk (preferably 2%)
- 1 cup (142g) all-purpose flour (scoop and level to measure)
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 Tbsp (42g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- Butter for pan
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Desired fillings (optional)
Instructions
- Add milk, flour, sugar, salt, butter, vanilla and eggs to a blender, then blend on low speed until well combined, about 10 seconds.
- Scrape sides and bottom of blender if there's any flour sticking and blend a few seconds longer.
- Cover and chill 1 hour (or overnight if desired).
- Heat a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Gently stir batter with a spoon just to blend separated layers.
- Lightly butter skillet then lift pan and pour a scant 1/4 cup batter into pan, immediately tilt and swirl pan in circular motion to evenly coat entire bottom portion of pan with batter.
- Cook until golden brown brown on bottom then use an offset spatula to lift an edge of the crepe, grab the edge of the crepe with your fingertips and flip crepe to opposite side. Cook until golden brown spots appear on bottom.
- Transfer to a wire rack. Repeat until all of the batter has been used up (if needed reduce burner temperature slightly).
- Dust crepes with powdered sugar and roll or fold into fourths, or fill with desired fillings then fold.