Crepes are thin, delicate pancakes that can be enjoyed with a variety of sweet or savory fillings. Here’s a basic crepe recipe that you can customize to your liking:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for sweet crepes, optional)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (for sweet crepes, optional)
- Additional melted butter for cooking
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Batter:
- In a blender or a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, eggs, milk, melted butter, salt, and, if you’re making sweet crepes, the vanilla extract and sugar.
- Blend or whisk until the batter is smooth and all the ingredients are well combined. Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature (or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator) to allow the bubbles to settle, resulting in smoother crepes.
2. Heat the Skillet:
- Place a non-stick skillet or crepe pan over medium-high heat. You want the pan to be hot but not smoking.
3. Grease the Skillet:
- Lightly brush the skillet with melted butter to prevent the crepes from sticking. You can use a paper towel or a silicone brush for this.
4. Pour and Swirl:
- Pour a small ladleful (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup) of the crepe batter into the center of the hot skillet.
- Quickly lift the skillet off the heat and tilt it in a circular motion to spread the batter evenly across the bottom, creating a thin crepe. Work swiftly, as the batter cooks fast.
5. Cook the Crepe:
- Cook the crepe for about 1-2 minutes or until the edges start to lift and the bottom is lightly golden. You can lift an edge with a spatula to check.
6. Flip and Cook the Other Side:
- Using a spatula, carefully flip the crepe to the other side and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until it’s lightly browned and cooked through.
7. Remove and Repeat:
- Remove the cooked crepe from the skillet and place it on a plate. Continue with the remaining batter, greasing the skillet lightly with melted butter before each crepe.
8. Fill and Serve:
- Once you’ve made all the crepes, you can fill them with your favorite sweet or savory fillings. Popular choices for sweet crepes include Nutella, strawberries, whipped cream, and powdered sugar, while savory options can include ham, cheese, and spinach.
9. Roll or Fold:
- Fold or roll the crepe with your desired filling and serve it warm.
Crepes are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or as a savory meal. Customize them to your liking with various fillings, and enjoy these delicate, thin pancakes.