— Pancake Tuesday
Medium

Christmas Spiced Pancakes

Prep 10 minsCook 20 minsServes 8£0.80/servingClassic British

Classic British pancakes infused with the spice blend of Christmas cake: cinnamon, mixed spice, ginger, and a tablespoon of dark treacle in the batter. Dark treacle adds a deep, bittersweet molasses note and darkens the batter to a rich brown that caramelises on the pan. Serve with orange butter -- softened butter worked with orange zest and icing sugar -- and a small handful of dried cranberries. The spice ratios are balanced so that no single spice dominates.

Christmas Spiced Pancakes

Ingredients

  • 150g (5oz)plain flour
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp)ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp)mixed spice
  • 0.5 tsp (0.5 tsp)ground ginger
  • 1 pinch (1 pinch)fine salt
  • 2 (2)large eggs
  • 300ml (10fl oz)whole milk, slightly warmed
  • 1 tbsp (1 tbsp)dark treacle
  • 1 tbsp (1 tbsp)caster sugar
  • small knob (small knob)butter, for the pan

Method

  1. 1

    Sift flour, cinnamon, mixed spice, ginger, and salt into a large bowl. Add the caster sugar and stir.

  2. 2

    Make a well in the centre. Add the eggs and begin whisking, gradually drawing in flour from the edges.

  3. 3

    Warm the milk slightly (not hot) and stir in the dark treacle. Gradually add this to the batter, whisking continuously.

    Dip the tablespoon in hot water first to help the treacle slide off cleanly.
  4. 4

    Whisk to a smooth, thin batter. Rest for 15 minutes.

  5. 5

    Heat a 20cm non-stick pan over a medium heat. Add a small knob of butter and let it foam.

  6. 6

    Pour in 50ml of batter and swirl to coat the base. Cook for 60--90 seconds until the edges lift and the underside is deep brown.

    The dark batter colours faster than a plain one -- watch carefully.
  7. 7

    Flip and cook for 30 seconds. Serve with orange butter and dried cranberries, or creme fraiche with freshly grated nutmeg.

Pro Tips

  • →Treacle can be stiff -- dip the tablespoon in hot water first to help it slide off cleanly.
  • →The dark batter colours faster than a plain one: watch the heat and flip before it burns.
  • →Orange butter: beat 75g soft unsalted butter with the zest of 1 orange and 1 tablespoon icing sugar.
  • →These also work with a wedge of ripe pear and a drizzle of dark maple syrup.

Topping Ideas

Orange butter and dried cranberriesCreme fraiche and fresh nutmegPear and dark maple syrupVanilla cream

Questions & answers

Can I substitute golden syrup for treacle?⌄
Golden syrup gives a lighter, more caramel flavour rather than the deep molasses note. It works, but the result is noticeably different -- use treacle for the Christmas flavour profile.
Can I make these vegan?⌄
Replace the eggs with 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons water, rested for 5 minutes) and use oat milk. The treacle and spices remain the same.
Do these freeze well?⌄
Yes -- cool completely, layer with baking paper, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a dry frying pan for 1 minute per side or in a warm oven for 5 minutes.
Share

— Newsletter

Get the Full Pancake Day Plan

Recipes, shopping list, and tips — delivered the week before Pancake Day.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.

You Might Also Like

Classic British Pancakes (Ready in 15 Minutes)
View Recipe
Easy

Classic British Pancakes (Ready in 15 Minutes)

15mClassic British£0.65
Vegan Classic British Pancakes (Ready in 20 Minutes)
View Recipe
Easy

Vegan Classic British Pancakes (Ready in 20 Minutes)

20mClassic British£0.55
Gluten-Free Classic British Pancakes
View Recipe
Easy

Gluten-Free Classic British Pancakes

20mClassic British£0.85