Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Shrove stems from an old English word shrive, meaning confess all sins. Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was a time for using eggs, butter and sugar from the larder as these were forbidden during the abstinence. This Shrove Tuesday (13th February), break out the frying pan and make a fluffy stack of mini American pancakes – it’s easier than you think.

INGREDIENTS
135g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp sugar
1 large egg
½ tsp salt 
130ml milk
2 tbsp melted, cooled unsalted butter (plus more for cooking

  1. Sift all dry ingredients into a large bowl, and in a separate jug, gently whisk the egg with the milk and cooled butter. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry until you have a thick batter. If it seems a little dry, add more milk, but remember it needs to be thick enough to hold its shape in the pan. 
  2. When ready to cook, heat a large non-stick over a medium heat with a knob of butter.
  3. When the butter stops foaming, pour in a ladleful of batter (the ideal amount for small pancakes). Don’t crowd the pan, but try to fry two or three at a time. After two minutes, or when bubbles have risen to the surface, flip and cook for a further two minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter.
  4. Serve pancakes in stacks of two or three with toppings of your choice.