Pancakes and Sweet Treats for Shrove Tuesday

A That’s Food and Drink celebration of flipping, feasting and a little indulgence before Lent

Shrove Tuesday, often called Pancake Day here in the UK, is one of those wonderfully simple food traditions that brings everyone into the kitchen. 

Whether you’re flipping thin crêpe-style pancakes or piling American-style stacks high with syrup, it’s a day that feels nostalgic, comforting and joyfully messy.

Traditionally falling the day before Ash Wednesday, Shrove Tuesday was a way of using up rich ingredients such as eggs, milk, butter and sugar before the start of Lent. The result? Pancakes, quick, affordable, and endlessly adaptable.

Here’s how to make the most of it this year.

The Classic British Pancake

The traditional British pancake is thin, lightly golden and slightly crisp at the edges.

Basic batter (serves 4):

100g plain flour

2 large eggs

300ml milk

Pinch of salt

Butter or oil for frying

Whisk until smooth, rest for 20–30 minutes if you can, then cook in a lightly buttered pan. Flip confidently!

Classic topping: Fresh lemon juice and caster sugar.

Simple. Sharp. Perfect.

American-Style Pancake Stacks

If you prefer something thicker and fluffier, American-style pancakes are ideal for a more indulgent Shrove Tuesday supper.

Add 1 tsp baking powder and a touch of sugar to your batter, and use less milk for a thicker consistency. Cook in smaller rounds and stack high.

Top with:

Maple syrup and butter

Blueberries and Greek yoghurt

Crispy bacon and syrup for a sweet-savoury twist

Savoury Pancake Ideas

Pancakes don’t have to be sweet. In fact, they make an excellent midweek meal.

Try filling your pancakes with:

Creamy mushrooms and thyme

Spinach and ricotta

Grated cheese

Ham and mature Cheddar

Smoked salmon and soft cheese

Fold or roll, pop under the grill with a little extra cheese, and serve with a crisp side salad.

Beyond Pancakes: Other Shrove Tuesday Treats

While pancakes dominate most British kitchens, other traditional treats have been linked to the day in various regions:

Doughnuts – also made to use up eggs and butter.

Waffles – especially popular in some European traditions.

Rice pudding – another comforting way to use up dairy.

Parkin in some northern communities.

It’s all about using what you have and enjoying a last bit of richness before simpler meals return.

Hosting a Pancake Supper at Home

If you want to turn it into a proper event:

Set up a topping station with bowls of fruit, sauces, nuts and sprinkles.

Offer both sweet and savoury options.

Let guests flip their own (at their own risk!).

Keep the batter flowing – it disappears quickly.

For families, it’s a brilliant way to get children involved in cooking. For couples, it’s a relaxed, low-cost evening that feels special without much effort.

A Final Flip

Shrove Tuesday is one of those quietly lovely food traditions that doesn’t need reinvention. A bowl, a whisk, a frying pan and a squeeze of lemon are all you really need.

Whether you’re keeping it classic or going full indulgence with towering stacks and syrup, it’s a chance to pause, cook and enjoy something warm and freshly made.

And if a pancake lands on the floor? Just make another one!