Classic Crepes: Sweet and Chocolate.

Crepes are one of my favorite breakfast foods. Actually, they're one of my favorite anytime foods. They are always great to have when friends come over...which is why I made them today. The ingredients and the process is simple, yet these thin pancakes are always a crowd pleaser.

The Ingredients
2 eggs
1.5 cups milk
1 cup AP flour
3 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt

The Method
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the milk until no major lumps are left. Next, add the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and pinch of salt. Mix until incorporated. Be careful not to over mix, the combination of flour, a liquid and stirring will yield gluten...which is great for crusty French bread and pizza but not really for crepes. Mix only when necessary. Slowly drizzle the butter in while whisking. Set the batter in the fridge for about an hour.
The resting allows the flour particles to hydrate which will make the crepes come together better. Most doughs like pie crusts and cookies need this time to relax...don't we all?
After you and your crepe batter have taken a nap, get a couple of small preferably non-stick pans on medium heat. Put a little butter in the pan and wipe with a paper towel. This will leave a very thin layer to prevent sticking. When heated, take about 1/4 cup of batter and pour it onto on side of the pan. Shake and swirl the pan to coat, dump any leftover batter back in the bowl . The keyword of the day is thin.
When the edges are lightly brown, flip with a heat proof rubber spatula (my absolute favorite kitchen tool). Cook for another 30 seconds or so and start stacking up the crepes.

For a chocolate variation, add 1.5 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the batter when adding the the sugar.











Fillings include Nutella and bananas, whipped cream mixed with yogurt, strawberries, caramelized apples...the possibility are virtually endless.












Hope you try and enjoy this recipe. Let me know if you need more filling ideas.