Pancake Day is fast approaching, every year it takes place in March. Shrove Tuesday is the traditional feast day before Ash Day, sort of like a countdown to Easter, 47 days exactly till Easter Sunday! Shrove Tuesday was basically the last day to use up all the eggs, and what a better way to use it to make yummy pancakes. Traditional pancakes are meant to be thin and crispy, laced in golden syrup, lemon juice or caster sugar. But yet, why do we make them so fluffy? And add lashings of maple syrup, bacon, fruit, cream, chocolate chips, strawberry sauce, chocolate fudge sauce, you name it, it's on there, whatever you can find in your pantry, sprinkles too! There are so many variations to pancakes now, dependent on your dietary requirements. They can be made vegan, gluten-free, and paleo. You can even add different flavour variations such as chocolate, matcha and red velvet. Whether you prefer them sweet or savoury (melted cheese), we give you a few options below on how you can celebrate Shrove Tuesday or any other day. Pancakes are great for breakfast, brunch or even lunch and dinner, whatever tickles your pickle. Oh, and M&S are doing a limited edition Lemon Gin & Tonic Sauce, in a squeezy bottle, will you be getting your booze on? Cause for sure, you'll get your G&T fix!

Fluffy Pancakes

This recipe makes 12, perfect for a family gathering or brekkie! Ingredients:
  • 150g plain flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp caster sugar
  • 225ml whole milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 knob of butter - melted
  • Butter or oil for frying.
Method:
  1. Sift together the dry ingredients. Make a well in the bowl and add in the milk, egg and melted butter. Beat till the batter is smooth.
  2. Heat a frying pan over medium heat, lightly grease with oil or butter. Ladle the batter in the pan. Cook till bubbles start to appear on the surface and the edges have gone slightly dry.
  3. Flip the pancake and cook for about a minute or two. It should be golden brown. Serve with your fave toppings. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Vegan Fluffy Pancakes

Ingredients:
  • 90g plain flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (not the alcohol kind)
  • 120ml dairy-free milk (coconut milk works best - gives it such an excellent taste)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Method:
  1. Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Stir in the wet ingredients till you reach a smooth batter. It should be runny and thick.
  2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat; you can add a little oil if you like or soya spread. Ladle approx 1/4 cup batter on the pan, cook till you see bubbles appear on the surface. Flip and cook the reverse side.
  3. Serve with fruit or lemon and sugar.
Fluffy Pancakes

Red Velvet Pancakes with a Cream Cheese Glaze

Ingredients:
  • 180g self-raising flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp caster sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 200ml whole milk
  • 25g butter - melted (extra for frying if using)
  • Red gel paste
Cream Cheese Glaze:
  • 100g cream cheese
  • 4 tbsp maple syrup
  • Icing sugar
Method:
  1. Mix all the pancake ingredients in a bowl except the red gel paste. Make sure it's smooth, add the gel paste and mix. Add more to make it a deep reddish brown.
  2. Add the small knob of butter to a pan, pour a ladle of batter into the pan and spread out, be sure to keep them fluffy and thick. Once bubbles start to appear on the surface, it's ready to flip.
  3. Mix the cream cheese and maple syrup. Stack the pancakes high with the cream cheese and dust with icing sugar.
There you have it; You can add various flavours, extracts, and toppings. Add your twist, how do you eat yours? Pancakes - serving ideas