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    Home > Pastry

    Published: Sep 14, 2015 · Modified: Sep 17, 2022 by Helen S Fletcher · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    All Purpose French Crepes

    Finished crepes

    Basically, crepes are a thin  pancake.  Ideally they will fold and roll without cracking or tearing.  While the French version is the most notable, there are other thin pancakes from other countries.There are as many crepe recipes as there are cooks.

    Many of us learned the art of the crepe from Julia Child as seen in this recipe. Today everyone makes them from Martha (of course with a video) to Rachael Ray.

    At the take out shop, we served crepes numerous ways including Beef Stogonoff crepes, Seafood crepes, Ham and Cheese crepes and Crepes Suzette, the most famous of all.  One of the most loved appetizers we did was miniture crepes with a swipe of lemon basil mayo and a roasted asparagus tip sticking out.  They were about four inches long when wrapped. We would make the crepes and cut out ovals with a cookie cutter.  As I remember, I could get five ovals out of a 10 inch crepe.  While these were time consuming, everyone, including me, loved them.

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    Baking gets better when you subscribe to receive this PDF on getting the most out of baking including information on equipment, ingredients and baking equipment.

    In the '80's, crepes were all the rage when they were the featured dish with many different fillings at the Magic Pan restaurants.  One of the favorites was the Spinach crepe.  While researching this blog, I ran across a blog post that gave away the secret.  Would you believe it was Stouffer's Spinach Souffle?  It seems Stouffer's owned Magic Pan and the restaurant used a lot of their products just wrapped in a crepe.  The recipe is given away by Robyn Raymer in the comments section.

    The beauty of crepes is they can easily be made ahead and frozen with waxed paper between them. We would make 50 or more at a time and keep them frozen.   Just make sure they are completely thawed before using.  Also, if you are not using immediately, make sure they are covered with plastic wrap so they won't dry out.

    My recipe includes milk for tenderness and water for body.  The brandy adds flavor, the oil flexibility. The batter needs to rest so the ingredients can come together for the best end result.

    Crepe pan for All Purpose French Crepe

    While there is an official "crepe pan", I prefer a non-stick pan for ease of making them.  I swipe the pan with a stick of butter every fourth or fifth crepe.

    Two sides of Crepes for All purpose Crepes

    There are two sides to a crepe.  The first side that browns is the one that should be shown in the final dish.    It is always face down when being filled. It is on the left.  The second side will never be as beautiful so it is the one that holds the filling before being rolled.  It is on the right.

    While the crepe may see intimidating at first, it is all in the wrist.  You simply pour the batter into the pan and rotate it around to fill the pan.  That's pretty much it.  The edges will brown and that is your indication, the crepe is ready to be turned over.  Another few seconds on that side and you are good to go.  After a few crepes you will be a master!

    Ingredients for all purpose french crepes

    Crepes1 ⅔ cups flour
    1 teaspoon salt
    1 cup milk
    1 ½ cups water
    5 eggs
    1 ½ tablespoons brandy
    3 tablespoons vegetable oil
    1 stick of butter for the pan

    Ingredients for All Purpose French Crepes
    Ingredients in bowl resting for All Purpose French Crepes

    Place all the ingredients except the stick of butter in a food processor by batches if necessary. If by batches, whisk together in a large bowl after processing. Pour into a bowl and let rest for 1 hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.

    Buttering pan for All Purpose French Crepes
    Labeling the butter into the pan for All Purpose French Crepes
    First rotation of pan for crepe in All Purpose Crepes
    Second rotation of pan for All Purpose French Crepes
    Third rotation in pan for All Purpose French Crepes
    Fourth rotation of pan for The All Purpose Crepe
    Fifth rotation of pan, coming full circle, for All Purpose Crepes
    Edge of crepe browned indicating it is ready to turn over at The All Purpose French Crepes
    Crepe fried on first side at All Purpose French Crepe
    Turning crepe for All Purpose French Crepe
    Second side frying for All Purpose French Crepe
    Crepe finished on second side
    Stack of crepes between waxed paper for All Purpose Crepes

    For 10” Crepes: Using a stick of butter, swipe the pan and ladle 2 ounces of batter into a hot 10” non stick skillet. Rotate the pan to make a complete circle, filling the pan evenly with the batter. Fry on one side until the edge is browned, indicating it is ready to turn over.Flip and brown on the other. Stack between waxed paper with second side up. Cool to room temperature. Use immediately or freeze. If using from the frozen state, thaw completely and make sure they are room temperature.

    Yield: 16 crepes

    Note: These can be made in any size pan you wish.

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    1. Denise says

      February 12, 2023 at 4:56 am

      We love crepes! They are a go to for family brunches, esp Mother’s Day. I learned how to make a version from a college friend of my son who was studying in Germany, was of French heritage but lived in Madagascar. Having her teach me in my kitchen and feeding a cohort of grad students is a find memory. Her recipe isn’t exact because she didn’t really use measurements. I am glad to have your precise recipe. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Helen S Fletcher says

        February 20, 2023 at 12:03 pm

        Hi Denise - My grandmother and mother cooked and baked with no recipes. But precision definitely helps.

        Reply

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