Crepes are incredibly versatile and easy to make! Whether you’re filling them with sweet or savory ingredients, they’re a delicious treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Here’s a simple crepes recipe that yields soft, thin, and perfectly golden crepes.
Basic Crepes Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 2 tbsp melted butter (plus more for cooking)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, for sweet crepes)
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, for sweet crepes)
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, sugar (if using for sweet crepes), and salt.
- Whisk until the batter is smooth and there are no lumps. If the batter is too thick, you can add a little more milk (a tablespoon at a time) until it reaches a thin, pourable consistency. The batter should resemble heavy cream.
- Optional: For extra smooth batter, you can blend it in a blender for about 20 seconds.
2. Let the Batter Rest (Optional, but Recommended):
- Let the batter rest for about 15-30 minutes. This helps the flour fully hydrate, giving you more tender crepes. If you’re in a rush, you can skip this step, but resting the batter will improve the texture.
3. Cook the Crepes:
- Heat a non-stick skillet or crepe pan over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of butter (or oil) to lightly coat the pan, wiping away any excess with a paper towel.
- Pour a small amount of batter (about 1/4 cup) into the center of the pan. Immediately tilt and swirl the pan to spread the batter evenly into a thin layer across the bottom.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until the edges of the crepe lift slightly and the bottom is golden brown.
- Carefully flip the crepe using a spatula or by gently lifting it with your fingers (if you’re confident) and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute on the other side, until lightly golden.
4. Serve:
- Remove the crepe from the pan and place it on a plate. Continue cooking the rest of the crepes, adding more butter to the pan as needed.
- Stack the cooked crepes on top of each other to keep them warm.
- Serve with your favorite fillings, such as fresh fruit, Nutella, whipped cream, maple syrup, or savory options like cheese, ham, or spinach.
Tips for Perfect Crepes:
- Thin Batter: The key to light and thin crepes is a thin batter. Don’t be afraid to add a little extra milk if it seems too thick.
- Pan Temperature: If your pan is too hot, the crepes may cook too quickly and become too crispy. If it’s not hot enough, they can stick to the pan. The right temperature is medium-high, and you can test by dripping a small amount of batter onto the pan to see if it spreads easily.
- Resting the Batter: Letting the batter rest helps create softer, more elastic crepes. It also allows any bubbles to dissipate, leading to smoother crepes.
- Stacking Crepes: After you cook each crepe, stack them on a plate and cover them with a clean towel or foil to keep them warm.
Crepe Filling Ideas:
Sweet Crepes:
- Nutella and Bananas: Spread Nutella on the crepe, top with banana slices, and fold.
- Berry Compote and Whipped Cream: Top with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream.
- Lemon and Sugar: Sprinkle with sugar and drizzle with fresh lemon juice for a simple, zesty treat.
Savory Crepes:
- Ham and Cheese: Place thinly sliced ham and cheese (like Swiss or Gruyère) on the crepe, fold, and melt the cheese.
- Spinach and Ricotta: Fill with cooked spinach and ricotta cheese for a vegetarian option.
- Mushrooms and Cream Sauce: Sauté mushrooms and add a light cream sauce for a savory filling.
Crepes are an incredibly fun dish to make, and the options for fillings are endless! Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, they’re sure to be a hit. Enjoy making them! Let me know how they turn out if you give it a try!