In a northwest region of France in the 13th century, it is believed that a housewife mistakenly dripped thin porridge on a hot flat iron cooktop in the fireplace, creating a thin, crispy pancake, or crepe. Today we know and love crepes for the unique and delicious breakfast and dessert options.
Crepes are made of essentially the same ingredients as pancakes, but without a leavening agent such as baking soda or baking powder. The pastry is iconic for its thin and flat consistency that allows chefs to indulge in their creativity as they transform the versatile pastry.
Crepe Makers
Crepe makers make it easy to prepare a large number of crepes very quickly. There are other options for preparing crepes, but these units offer convenience that other cooking options do not. Crepe makers are available in several configurations including differing power types, sizes, construction materials, temperature ranges, and other additional features. However, most units will feature a cast iron, flat top cooking surface that heats up quickly and evenly to provide a crispy, consistent bake. The cast-iron surface is also non-stick once it is seasoned.
The units are powered by either gas or electricity and then controlled by adjustable thermostats depending on your recipe and the consistency of your batter.
Preparation: Seasoning the Cooking Surface
- Use a steel wool cloth and detergent to wash the surface of the crepe maker
- Turn the heat to about 570 degrees Fahrenheit
- Wait until the unit is heated to temperature
- Pour a tablespoon of corn or peanut oil appropriate for frying in the center of the surface
- Use a cotton cloth or paper towel to spread the oil evenly and let cook for 5 – 10 minutes until the surface appears dry**
- Repeat 8 times, decreasing the amount of oil used each time until the surface is a deep amber color
**Do not use synthetic materials because they will adhere to the surface!
Step 1: Heating
- Power on the unit in a well-ventilated area
- Adjust the thermostat to the desired temperature and wait until the unit indicates that it is heated
Step 2: Baking
- Ladle batter into the center of the cooking surface
- Use the batter spreader in an outward spiral motion to evenly spread the batter to make the crepe as thin as possible
- Utilize the crepe spatula to easily flip and then remove the crepe once it is fully baked
Step 3: Serve
- Use your delicious crepe to complete your dish
- Note that filling can be added while on the griddle or once it is removed, depending on the recipe being used!
Crepe Recipes
Explore all of the options offered by the crepe to add fun and exciting new options to your menu! We gathered a few delicious recipes to inspire your creativity as you explore your crepe maker. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, the crepe really can do it all.
Basic Crepes
Ingredients
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Cook’s Note *Savory Variation Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the egg mixture. *Sweet Variation Add 2–1/2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of your favorite liqueur to the egg mixture.
Yields: 17 to 22 crepes |
Berries and Cream Crepes
IngredientsFor The Crepes:
For the Cream Filling:
For the Berry Sauce:
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Instructions
Yield: 12 Servings |
Lemon Sugar Dessert Crepes
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Ham and Cheese Crepes
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Hope has been a Content Specialist since November 2015, where she brings to the table years of experience in the food service industry in a variety of roles. Throughout her time with Central, Hope has focused on learning all things possible about everything from cooking equipment to concession and specialty products in order to empower operators with education on commercial equipment and supplies. Hope is a wife, new mom, avid crafter, and food lover (french fries please!).