Traditional pancakes

Try this delicious recipe for a good old-fashioned pancake. Simple and quick to make, this basic recipe means you can top your pancakes with whatever you like.

5 minutes prep. time
2–3 minutes each cooking time
Serves 6–8 pancakes
Cakes, bakes & desserts

Cooked pancake in a frying pan — Cook the perfect pancake with this traditional recipe | © National Trust Images/Rachel Whiting

125g plain flour
1 tsp salt
2 medium eggs
300ml milk
25g melted butter
Oil for frying

Step 1

Put the flour and salt in a large bowl, make a small well in the middle. Crack in the eggs, add a splash of the milk and the melted butter.

Step 2

Use a balloon whisk to start whisking from the centre, gradually working your way outwards to incorporate the flour.

Step 3

Once the flour is mixed in, continue to whisk while you gradually pour in the remaining milk. Continue whisking until you have a smooth batter the consistency of single cream.

Step 4

Place a teaspoon of oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat and swirl around so it is evenly coated.

Step 5

Use a ladle to drizzle in the batter, swirling the pan at the same time until the batter coats the bottom of the pan in a thin layer.

Step 6

Leave for around 30 seconds. The pancake should start to bubble on top and then, holding the pan firmly, carefully shake the pan to loosen the pancake.