Every year it feels like pancake day crêpes up on us. This year, the day (officially going by Shrove Tuesday) lands on March 1. The event has always been a great activity the whole family can get stuck into, and thanks to good natured social media rivalry, every year is a chance to top the efforts of the year before.
The simple lemon-sugar-syrup pancakes of our childhood will always have staunch fans, but the more culinary ambitious are setting their sights - and their stacks - higher, fuelled by perfect Pinterest boards, Instagram and newsfeeds.
We’re talking mattress-thick American-style stacks, doused with dollops of Nutella, whipped cream and berries, as well as fatter fluffy stacks popular in Japan. Then there are Continental crêpes, folded and wolfed down quickly before the contents ooze out over the fingers of the lucky soul clutching it.
They don’t always have to be sweet either - take inspiration from the Subcontinent's masala dosas; paper-thin crêpes encasing a spicy dry potato curry, and you’ll soon find ways to devour them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
You could say here at ES Best we have a thing for the pancake. While they’re one of the easiest things you can whip up in a kitchen, the right cooking, pantry and dining essentials will help you celebrate Shrove Tuesday in style.
From silicone spatulas and fun pan shapes to fuel your crêpe-tivity, here are some of the very best accessories, gadgets, kitchenware and ingredients to ensure your pancakes stacks up with the best of them.
Get those flipping hands ready, and get ready to batter up.
Russell Hobbs - Black 'Fiesta' Crepe Maker
Russell Hobbs understands that crepes mean a party, which is precisely why it’s named this nifty gadget Fiesta. The non-stick hot plate has a diameter of 30cm, giving you plenty of space to create your masterpiece. Comes with a two-year warranty.
Buy now £29.99, Robert Dyas
MoonWood Wooden Crepe Spreader and Spatula Set
Because an artist is only as good as their tools. No self-respecting pancake set is complete without this essential beechwood set which includes four pieces: 7, 5, 3.5-inch spreaders and 12-inch Wood Spatula Turner. The pancake spreader ensures that each and every pancake that you make is evenly spread and the correct thinness or thickness.
Buy now £13.99, Amazon
STAUB Pancake Pan
Made from cast iron and super flat, Staub’s pan offers an easy way to make tasty crêpes at home. A spreader is also included in this designer piece of kitchen kit.
Buy now £85.95, Harrods
Salter Waterproof Black Digital Kitchen Scale
Cleaning up just got easier thanks to Salter’s Waterproof Digital Kitchen Scale which can be thrown in with the rest of the washing up once you’re done using it to weigh out your ingredients. Genius.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
BREVILLE HeatSoft VFM021 Hand Mixer
Make quick work of whipping up fresh pancake batter with this electric hand mixer. It features a heating element that can soften the butter too, perfect if you’ve just taken it out of the fridge.
Buy now £34.34, Amazon
Vicloon Silicone Spatulas Spoons Set
We could sit here and wax lyrical about the marvel of a silicone spatula until the cows come home: they won't get hot if accidently left in the pan, they get every scrap of batter from the bowl and they're a dream to clean. If your kitchen is missing a set, use pancake day as your opportunity to rectify the situation. There are many great sets to choose from; we like this six-piece option which includes a pastry brush, spoon and various shaped spatulas in a smart black tone.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Jimbob Art Pancakes Go Here
Serve eggy sweet creations up on whimsical plates made just for the occasion. These two from Jimbob Art will make the perfect finishing touch for your Pancake Day bonanza. Your kids will love them.
Buy now £23.00, Wolf & Badger
This Isn't Bacon Plant-Based Rashers 120G
Vegan friends hoping for a pancake breakfast needn’t miss out on the fun. Simply top with This Isn’t Bacon slices for unbelievably realistic texture and flavour.
Buy now £2.95, Tesco
F&M Kent Orchard Honey, 200g
Make your hot cakes fit for royalty with a delicious drizzle of Kent Orchard Honey from Fortnum & Mason, HRH’s grocer.
Buy now £8.95, F&M
Hotel Starlino Maraschino Cherries
Okay so they’re technically for cocktails, but this pancake day, you can play by your own rules. Drenched in delicious syrup, these sweet cherries make excellent pancake toppers.
Buy now £11.94, Master of Malt
Fearne & Rosie raspberry jam
For a slightly healthier pancake topping, look to Fearne & Rosie, a producer making family-favourite jam with more fruit and 40 per cent less sugar. As well as raspberry, there are strawberry, blackcurrant and cherry jams available.
Buy now £1.60, Ocado
ManiLife Deep Roast Crunchy Peanut Butter
Elvis was known for many things, but healthy eating was not among them. One of his favourite snacks was a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, enough to make most #cleaneating disciples faint on the spot. However, it is perfect inspiration for King-style pancakes.
Peanut butter brand ManiLife has teamed up with recipe kit company Gousto to create a plant-based version of Presley’s go-to bite in pancake form, using the former’s peanut butter caramel sauce. To make the peanut butter sauce, simply melt 55g coconut oil in the microwave, then whisk in 60ml maple syrup and 26g of ManiLife’s Chunky Peanut Butter.
Add chopped bananas (or better yet, mash them into your batter) for the full effect.
Buy now £3.99, Waitrose
Maldon Sea Salt 250G
We’ve become accustomed to having salty alongside sweet for a true flavour explosion. Add a sprinkle of sea salt over syrup and blueberry-smothered pancakes, and give your tastebuds a little party.
£1.99
