Top 34 Western European Pancakes

Crêpes sucrées are sweet crepes, a type of very thin pancake originating from France. The term "sucrées" means "sugared" in French, indicating that these crepes are meant to be served with sweet fillings or toppings. They are made from a simple batter consisting of flour, milk, eggs, a pinch of salt, and sometimes a bit of sugar and butter. Unlike their savory counterpart, known as "crêpes salées" (or "galettes" in some regions of France), sweet crêpes are usually made with white wheat flour and often have a bit of sugar added to the batter. Sweet crepes can be filled or topped with a variety of ingredients such as powdered sugar, whipped cream, fruit preserves, fresh fruits, nutella, honey, and maple syrup. Crêpes sucrées are enjoyed as a dessert, a sweet snack, or even as a breakfast dish in France and around the world. Expand

These thin pancakes are made with wheat flour, and have origins in the French region of Brittany. Although they are a French staple and a national dish, crêpes are so popular that they have spread worldwide since the turn of the 20th century, when white wheat flour became affordable. These delectable treats are made with flour, eggs, milk, and butter whipped into a thin batter, which is then poured in a crêpe pan and fried. The tradition is to flip them in the air as they cook, and they say that if you catch it in the pan, your family will be well-off for the rest of the year. The word crêpe is derived from the Latin root crispa, meaning curdled. Crêpes are one of the best-known French desserts, and they are commonly filled with various sweet fillings such as jam, chocolate, berries, or whipped cream. They can also be stuffed with savory ingredients such as ham, sausages, cheese, spinach, eggs, or mushrooms. Eaten hot or cold and found in crêperies throughout France and beyond, these delicious pancakes are a true worldwide hit.Expand

Nutella crêpes is a popular variation of a sweet crêpe that is generously spread with Nutella, a hazelnut cocoa spread. This indulgent treat combines the soft, warm texture of a freshly made crêpe with the rich, creamy flavor of Nutella, making it a favorite among both children and adults. A basic crêpe batter made with flour, eggs, milk, a pinch of salt, and sometimes a little sugar and vanilla for added sweetness is cooked on a flat griddle or in a crêpe pan to create a thin pancake. Once the crêpe is cooked to a light golden brown and is still hot, a generous amount of Nutella is spread over one-half or the entire surface of the crêpe. The crêpe is then folded in half and often folded again to create a triangular or a fan shape, making it easier to eat. Additional toppings might be added on top of the Nutella, such as sliced strawberries, bananas, chopped nuts, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for extra flavor and texture. Nutella crêpes can be found at street vendors, crêperies, and cafes worldwide, and it is especially common as a treat to be enjoyed at festivals, fairs, or as street food.Expand

Galettes de Bretagne are generally known as thin buckwheat crépes from Brittany, often filled with ingredients such as eggs, ham, mushrooms, and bacon. However, galettes mean different things in different parts of Brittany. In Lower Brittany, a galette is a thicker crepe made with any kind of flour, while in Upper Brittany, it refers to a crépe made exclusively with buckwheat flour. Also, what is known as galette in Upper Brittany is known in Lower Brittany as crêpes de blé noir (sarrasin) or buckwheat crepes. In Brittany, créperies are so popular that they outnumber cafés, and people regularly use them to eat their galettes with a bit of salted butter. Traditionally, the pancakes are paired with a glass of local cider. According to legend, the Bretagne galette was invented by accident when a farmer spilled buckwheat porridge onto a hot surface. Although people usually associate buckwheat flour with a salty taste, buckwheat crépes are extremely nutritious and contain vitamins B1 and B2, as well as fiber that helps prevent high blood pressure. Buckwheat came to Brittany from the east in the 12th century, so thick, moist, and flavorful galletes were ready to win over even the pickiest palates.Expand

Hailing from the Aosta Valley, crespelle alla Valdostana is an Italian specialty that consists of savory, stuffed crêpes smothered in gooey Fontina cheese and béchamel sauce. The batter for the crêpes is made with a combination of flour, milk, eggs, melted butter, salt, and pepper, while the filling typically includes diced or sliced Fontina cheese, cooked ham (such as gran biscotto ham), and (sometimes) mushrooms. Once fried to perfection, the crêpes are filled, then rolled or folded into a fan shape and placed snugly into a baking dish before being baked with additional cheese, béchamel sauce, and knobs of butter on top. This traditional dish can be served on its own or as an accompaniment to grilled meat, and it pairs well with wines such as Blanc de Morgex or Erbaluce di Caluso.Expand

These delectable crêpes prepared à la flambé are doused in beurre Suzette, a sauce made with butter, caramelized sugar, tangerine or orange juice, zest, and orange flavored liqueurs such as Grand Marnier or Curaçao. Crêpes Suzette were supposedly invented by Henri Charpentier in 1895 in Monaco. According to his own story, Charpentier—then a 15-year-old assistant waiter working at Monte Carlo's Café de Paris—accidentally set fire to a pan of crêpes he was preparing for the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII. After burning the sauce, Henri discovered that the crêpes tasted even better and decided to serve the dessert, naming it after the prince's companion, a beautiful French girl named Suzette. Larousse Gastronomique disputes this story, claiming that Charpentier could not have been old enough at the time to be serving royalty, but it was definitely him who popularized these flambéed French-style pancakes.Expand

Crêpes Normande can best be described as apple pie inside a crêpe. For the filling, fresh, tart apples are browned in butter, sugar, and cinnamon, while the crêpes are made with a combination of flour, milk, eggs, sugar, and a pinch of salt. It is recommended to serve the crêpes topped with whipped cream, accompanied by a scoop of ice cream on the side, and it couldn't hurt to drizzle them with sweet caramel syrup to finish the whole thing.Expand

Crêpes salées, often called savory crêpes or galettes in some regions of France, especially in Brittany, are thin pancakes made from a batter that typically contains either wheat flour or buckwheat flour, which gives them a slightly nutty flavor and a darker color. Unlike the sweet version (crêpes sucrées) which uses various "sweet fillings", crêpes salées are filled with savory ingredients that may include cheese (often Gruyère, Comté, or Emmental), ham or various types of cured meat, eggs, mushrooms, spinach, caramelized onion, or various herbs and spices. Savory crêpes are a versatile food that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack, and are often accompanied by a side salad or served with cider, which is a traditional beverage choice in Brittany.Expand

A thousand crêpes cake—as translated in English—is a classic French dessert consisting of crêpes stacked on top of each other and layered with, most typically, a thin coating of either icing sugar or pastry cream, while the top of the cake is covered in a thin layer of caramelized sugar. This dense and creamy cake can be prepared with all kinds of different fillings and enjoyed with various fruits, whipped cream, or even ice cream.Expand