Easy Scotch pancakes, simple to cook and on the table in a matter of minutes. Enjoy them as part of a lazy weekend brunch, or as an afternoon treat with a cup of tea.
Easy Scotch pancakes are a weekend staple in our house. If there is one brunch dish that I cook more than any other, it’s traditional Scotch pancakes.
However they are sweet and therefore not something we eat daily, rather they are a weekend treat. Enjoyed on a lazy weekend when we have more time to languish over breakfast.
As a child my Mum made these on a girdle. That’s a girdle and not a griddle pan. A girdle is a round flat cast iron cooking plate that sits on the stove top.
Our one had a cast handle too and my Mum used hers on the top of our wood burning stove. My Mum would cook Scotch pancakes, girdle scones and oatcakes on her girdle, they were a real treat.
There is nothing better than any one of these items freshly cooked and slathered in butter and homemade jam. I’m fairly sure the girdle got lost somewhere in my Mum’s last house move. Which is a pity as I would love to cook on it.
How to enjoy pancakes:
Scotch pancakes, drop scones as they are also known, are a weekend staple, particularly if I am feeding crowd! Set the table up with a variety of toppings and let everyone help themselves.
Some simple topping ideas:
- maple syrup with a side of bacon (my children’s favoured option)
- mixed berries – strawberries; raspberries and blueberries
- sliced peaches or nectarines with a drizzle of runny honey
- a drizzle of golden syrup or black treacle
- as an afternoon treat with butter, jam and a cup of tea (this is how I love to eat them)
Cooking with children:
I started making Scotch pancakes with my children when they were young.
When cooking anything with young children you are best to choose something that is quick to prepare, so start with recipes that keep their attention, nothing too long or with too many steps.
A pancake batter doesn’t take long to prepare and they cook quickly on top of the stove. I would supervise closely, but allow them to drop the batter in the pan and flip them over. They will make a mess to start with, but that’s part of the fun.
Easy Scotch Pancake recipe steps:
Helpful tips when making pancakes:
- I don’t have a girdle, instead I use a non-stick frying pan. The tricky bit is getting the pan to the right temperature. Put it on high to get some heat into the pan, then reduce heat to medium high for cooking.
- Brush the pan with some butter and pour in a ladle of the pancake batter. Do not be tempted to make them too big, as they will expand a little in the pan!
- Once you see bubbles forming on top, carefully flip it over to cook on the other side.
- Do not be tempted to overload the pan with pancakes, cook one or two at a time. This gives them space to expand and makes it a lot easier when it comes to flipping them over.
- Once cooked place the pancakes on a plate and wrap in a clean dishtowel to keep warm, while you cook the remaining pancakes.
Can I make Easy Scotch Pancakes in advance?
If you fancy a pancake for an afternoon treat, but don’t want to make them fresh, they can be made in the morning. Place them on an wire rack to cool and then pop them in an airtight container until you are ready to eat them.
Pancakes never last long in my house, however, they will keep fresh for a couple of days in an airtight container. That said, nothing beats them eaten warm, straight from the pan!
Can you freeze Scotch Pancakes?
You can freeze Scotch pancakes, simply allow them to cool completely, before placing them in a freezer proof container. I would recommend a layer of baking parchment between each pancake to stop them sticking together.
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Additional recipe suggestions:
If you like pancakes then try some of these other sweet treat recipes and breakfast options:
- Poffertjes – Dutch Pancakes
- Buttermilk Scones
- Cinnamon Granola with Almond & Apricot
- Chocolate Tiffin Traybake – a great recipe for kids
- Mars Bar Slice – a great recipe for kids
- Cinnamon Rolls
Hosting your own brunch then take the stress out of it and head to our Ultimate Guide to Brunch. Here you’ll find all our brunch recipes together with some great advice, hints and tips on how to get started.
Scotch pancakes
Ingredients
- 100 g self raising flour
- 50 g caster sugar
- pinch salt
- 1 egg
- 80 ml milk
- extra butter for greasing pan
Instructions
- Place the flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add in the egg and milk and beat well to combine into a thick batter. If the batter looks too thick loosen it with a little more milk.
- Heat a non stick frying pan on your hob to a medium-high heat. Brush a little butter in the pan and spoon in a ladle of the pancake batter.
- Once you see bubbles starting to form on top of the pancake gently flip it over to cook the other side.
- Once the pancake has cooked on both sides, remove from the pan.
- Keep the pancakes warm wrapped up in a clean tea towel until ready to serve.
• Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only •
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