are crêpes and pancakes the same?

Unlike pancakes, crêpes are much thinner because they aren’t made with baking powder, as are pancakes. Since they are thinner, they tend to be a tad crispier as well. This makes the crêpe an excellent vehicle for practically any filling or topping you like, sweet or savory.

They do share some similarities…

Crêpes are similar in shape and look to a pancake. The two are also very similar when it comes to ingredients. Both crêpes and pancakes are made using eggs, milk, flour, salt, and butter.

By the way, if your own homemade crêpe comes out too thick, it’s okay to pretend it’s a pancake! 

by the way, how do you know if crêpes are for you? 

how are crêpes made?

Crêpes are cooked on a billig, or crêpière, which is a kind of flat-top grill. First, the billig is lubricated with some butter so the batter won’t stick. After it’s nice and greased up, the crêpe batter gets poured and is then spread using a special t-shaped spreader that requires proper technique and “savoir-faire” to perform correctly.

This ensures the crêpe is cooked thin, the way it’s supposed to be!

When the bottom is golden-brown in color, it’s time to flip it until it’s the same color on the other side. To see a video of our boss making crêpes, click here (the crêpes he made used a special recipe from Brittany, and basically confirmed his boss status).

a brief history of crêpes

The origins of the crêpe can be traced back to the 12th century (that’s roughly 900 years ago) when buckwheat was brought to the Brittany region of France from Eastern Europe and Asia. That makes the crêpe older than our other favorite, brioche! Brittany’s rough landscape created challenges when it came to growing crops.

Thankfully (and we are very thankful!), buckwheat was able to flourish in the region and allowed for sustainable cropping. It’s cultivation ultimately paved the way for the creation of the light, thin pastry we now know as crêpes! Our crêpes, however, aren’t made with buckwheat.

what are some ways you can enjoy a crêpe?

eating crêpes: recipe inspiration

Crêpes are a more versatile item than pancakes as well. We all get that pancakes can be made with fruits, like blueberries, or chocolate chips. Of course, crêpes can be made sweet as well! But who’s ever heard of a savory pancake? Crêpes can be filled with essentially ANYTHING you like!

They can be given a Mexican spin and be filled with adobo-seasoned chicken, peppers, onions, and Monterey Jack cheese. Or, the crêpe can take a trip to the French-Italian border and be filled with fresh mozzarella, basil, and cherry tomatoes.

You can make a sweet crêpe for breakfast with sliced apples and a touch of sugar sprinkled on top, or a savory breakfast crêpe with slices of ham and swiss cheese. We mean it when we say the crêpe can do anything!

At bakerly, we are proud to use all natural ingredients in each of our crêpe products. Our artisan bakers also follow authentic French recipes when cooking up every single crêpe!