Pancake Day is just around the corner, which means you can eat as many pancakes as you want, guilt free! Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is celebrated around the world, with each country boasting their own version of the delicious treat. There has been a long debate about which country has the best pancakes, and we’re here to discuss the pros of the three most popular pancake varieties.

American Pancakes

American Pancakes are perhaps the most universally recognised form of this sugary dish. American pancakes are fluffy, thick, and usually served with streaky bacon, maple syrup or a handful of fresh fruits.

To make the best American pancake, a stainless steel frying pan is recommended. Stainless steel is a good conductor of heat and will ensure the pan warms up quickly and stays warm, which is ideal for making the best stack of fluffy pancakes. Stainless steel frying pans can also be used to fry streaky bacon, a must have addition to the American version of this breakfast classic.

Some brave cooks might try to flip the pancake with the pan itself, throwing the batter up in the air and catching it. However, for those who prefer more traditional methods, spatulas also get the job done. Metal spatulas are the best to use with stainless steel pans, as they won’t get stuck to the pan and can easily flip the pancake with little to no damage.

British Pancakes

Unlike their American cousins, British pancakes are much flatter. They can also be served as a savoury or sweet dish, depending on your preference! For this reason, non stick frying pans are recommended. British pancakes are thin and more likely to tear when cooking, hence why it’s crucial to use a surface that is easy to flip the batter without ruining the pancake.

Silicone spatulas are the best to use with non-stick frying pans, as they won’t ruin the non-stick material on the pan. Using a high heat silicone spatula means you can flip your pancake without worrying about tearing the delicate batter, or ruining the pan!

As British Pancakes can be served sweet or savoury, there’s a wide range of toppings that can be added once the pancake is cooked. Lemon and sugar, Nutella and fruits are favourites for the sweet tooths. Whereas cheese and meats are the top choices for savoury pancakes.

French Crepes

Similar to British Pancakes, French Crepes are flatter and can be served as a sweet or savoury dish. GenWare sells pans specifically designed for crepes, as they have a non-stick base and short outer walls, making it easy to cook and flip the crepe.

The French have a tradition that successfully flipping a crepe in a pan with the right hand is said to bring a person wealth and good luck! If you want to use a more reliable method of flipping your crepe, silicone spatulas are recommended as they won’t ruin the coating on the pan.

Fresh fruit is often a go to topping for French crepes, with everything from bananas to peaches being added to these sweet delicacies. For those that prefer the savoury flavour, smoked salmon and cream cheese are also popular choices.

Presenting Pancakes

Whether you prefer your pancakes fluffy and drowning in maple syrup or thin filled with cheese and ham, there’s one thing that is common in all varieties of pancakes. Presenting and serving the sweet treats in the most appealing way. Cooksmill stocks an evergrowing range of Crockery in just about every colour and shape you could ever want.

For pancakes, the Seasons range by Porcelite would provide a wonderful backdrop, especially for the sweeter flavours with fresh fruit and whipped cream. The Churchill range would elevate the savoury pancakes, thanks to their range of colours and shapes.