Today all over France people will be celebrating ‘la chandeleur’ (pancake day). Here is a favorite recipe of mine for French pancakes.

Today all over France people will be celebrating ‘la chandeleur’ (pancake day). The French name for Candlemas, “Chandeleur” comes from the word “Chandelle” which means candle. It was custom for the people to bring back the lighted candles from church to assure good crops for the year to come and to chase out the evil spirits. This is an old tradition in France and is a nice way to spend time with your friends or family making lovely crêpes (pancakes) during this special day, every year.

I remember when I was little helping my mother make pancakes in our cosy kitchen. She used to let me do the first one which was very special one as I had to hold a coin in my hand while trying to turn the pancake in the pan which was quite tricky. There was a saying that this would bring you luck in money and health if you were able to toss the pancake and catch it back in the pan.

I love pancakes and even though I am no longer living in France, I still keep making them every year.

The recipe I use is below. Give it a try and I am sure that just like me you will enjoy eating these lovely tasting French pancakes:

Ingredients needed

• 250 grams flour
• 3 beaten eggs
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 packet of vanilla sugar
• 50g caster sugar
• 1/2 a litre of milk
• A pinch of yeast

Place the flour and sugar in the bowl and pour the beaten eggs into it. Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of yeast then mix the batter with a whisk or a large wooden spoon. Gradually add milk to thin the batter. Finish with an electric whisk. The electric mixer helps to aerate the batter filling it with air.

Heat a lightly oiled or buttered pan and pour in a small ladle of batter, rotating the pan to spread batter over the entire surface of the pan.

As soon as the edges begin to brown and dry, turn the pancake over. (Be aware that the sweet pancakes brown much faster than regular pancakes).

Cook the other side and then stack the pancakes on a plate. If the batter is too thick on the first attempt simply add a couple of tablespoons of water.