A South African pancake is much like a French crêpe, but with its own special touch. While still warm, it’s sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, which melts into a sweet syrup inside the rolled pancake. Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to making these delicious treats at home!
EQUIPMENT
- Crêpe maker or frying pan
- Mixing bowl
- Balloon whisk
- Spatula
- Glass jar with lid (for cinnamon sugar)
INGREDIENTS
Pancakes
- 2 cups (280g) plain flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ cups (360ml) milk
- 1½ cups (360ml) water
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons sunflower oil (for frying)
Cinnamon Sugar
- 1 cup (200g) white sugar
- 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (adjust to taste)
INSTRUCTIONS
Pancakes
- Sift the flour into a mixing bowl and add the remaining pancake ingredients (except the sunflower oil).
- Whisk with a balloon whisk until smooth and lump-free, achieving a consistency similar to double cream.
- Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes to enhance texture. If short on time, you can skip this step.
- Preheat a pancake maker or frying pan. If using a frying pan, lightly grease it with sunflower oil.
- Pour about 50ml of batter onto the heated surface and quickly swirl to spread evenly.
- Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to lift. Flip and cook until golden brown.
- Stack cooked pancakes on a plate, sprinkling each with about ½ teaspoon of cinnamon sugar while warm. If making savory pancakes, leave them plain.
Cinnamon Sugar
- Combine sugar and ground cinnamon in a screw-top jar.
- Shake well until evenly mixed.
NOTES
- A mix of half milk and half water results in lighter pancakes.
- If using larger eggs, slightly reduce the milk/water amount.
- If the batter is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk. If too thin, whisk in a teaspoon of flour.
NUTRITION (PER PANCAKE)
- Calories: 75 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 13.2g
- Protein: 2.9g
- Fat: 1.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 84mg
- Potassium: 92mg
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Sugar: 1.1g
- Calcium: 55mg
- Iron: 1mg
Note: Nutrition excludes cinnamon sugar, toppings, and frying oil.
