The Magic of Pancake Day: A Flipping Good Celebration
I can still hear the sizzle of butter in the pan. That first pancake inevitably sticking despite my mum’s best efforts.
My childhood memories of Pancake Day are filled with the sweet smell of batter cooking, lemon juice bottles squeezed with greasy fingers, and the innocent joy of attempting to flip pancakes (with varying degrees of success).
These days, I’m the one wielding the frying pan while my son watches and waits in anticipation.
The tradition continues, passed down through generations, and somehow those pancakes taste even sweeter when shared with him.
When is Pancake Day 2025?
Pancake day is today, Tuesday, 4th March 2025.
Also known as Shrove Tuesday, this moveable feast falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, meaning its date changes each year.
In 2025, Easter Sunday falls on April 20th, placing Pancake Day in early March.
What is Shrove Tuesday?
Shrove Tuesday is the day that precedes Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar.
The word “shrove” comes from the old English word “shrive,” meaning to confess one’s sins and receive absolution.
The shrove definition hasn’t changed much over the centuries – it’s essentially about preparing for the Lenten period through confession.
The shrove meaning extends beyond just confession though. Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity for Christians to use up rich, indulgent foods like eggs, milk, and sugar before the 40-day fasting period of Lent began.
Rather than waste these ingredients, people would make pancakes – a tradition that has endured even as religious observance has declined.
Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?
The connection between pancakes and Shrove Tuesday is beautifully practical.
In preparing for Lent’s traditional restrictions, households needed to use up foods that wouldn’t be consumed during the fasting period – eggs, milk, and fats being prime examples.
Pancakes provided the perfect recipe to use these ingredients in one delicious swoop.
Pancake Day Around the World
While we Brits have our particular way of celebrating with thin, crepe-style pancakes usually topped with lemon and sugar, Pancake Day (or equivalents) is observed differently across the globe:
National Pancake Day in America
In the United States, National Pancake Day has become somewhat commercialized, with restaurant chains like IHOP offering free pancakes.
Their National Pancake Day 2025 will likely fall on a different date than our Shrove Tuesday, as American pancake celebrations aren’t always tied to the Christian calendar.
International Pancake Day
When is International Pancake Day? Well, it depends on where you are! The most famous international celebration might be the peculiar race held between the women of Olney in Buckinghamshire and those of Liberal, Kansas.
Since 1950, these towns have competed in parallel pancake races, each trying to beat the other’s time.
Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras
In many countries, especially those with strong Catholic traditions, Shrove Tuesday is known as “Fat Tuesday” (Mardi Gras in French).
The New Orleans celebrations with their parades and festivities are perhaps the most famous, though they’re quite a bit more raucous than our humble pancake efforts!
Fettisdagen in Sweden
In Sweden, the equivalent celebration is called Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday), where they traditionally eat semla – a sweet bun filled with almond paste and whipped cream.
Shrovetide Traditions
Shrovetide refers to the whole period leading up to Lent, not just the single day of Shrove Tuesday.
Historically, this was a time of both confession and celebration before the austerity of Lent began.
Many traditional Shrovetide games and sports persist, including the famous Shrovetide football match in Ashbourne, Derbyshire – a somewhat chaotic game played through the streets of the town.
The Perfect Pancake Recipe
I always refer to Nigella Lawson’s crepe recipe for Pancake Day:
Ingredients:
Makes: approx 6 x 20cm / 8 inch crepes
- 30 grams unsalted butter melted (plus more for frying)
- 150 grams plain flour
- 325 millilitres milk
- 1 large egg
And for our friends in the US using their metric system:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (plus more for frying)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1? cups milk
- 1 large egg
Method:
- Melt the butter and let it cool.
- Put the flour, milk and egg into a blender then pour into a jug and stir in the melted butter.
- Otherwise, just pour the flour into a bowl, whisk in the egg and milk and finally, the melted butter.
- Heat a frying pan or crepe pan with a little butter then ladle 2–3 tablespoons of batter into the pan then quickly hold it up and swirl so that the batter forms a quick, thin pancake covering the base of the pan.
- This will cook quickly so when it starts bubbling, flip it over and cook for 30 seconds to a minute on the other side.
- You can either make a few and keep your crepes hot on a plate covered with foil or cook to order one at a time.
On Pancake Day my son starts with savoury crepes then sweet filled with Nutella or golden syrup.
We recently made these kinder filled crepes drizzled with Nutella for a school project.
The beauty of pancakes is their versatility – sweet or savoury, they make everyone happy.
Modern Pancake Day Celebrations
While the religious significance of Shrove Tuesday has faded for many, Pancake Day remains firmly entrenched in British culture.
Supermarkets stock up on lemon juice and ready-made pancake mix, schools hold pancake-themed activities, and social media posts are filled with photos of pancake successes and disasters alike.
The Future of Pancake Day
As with many traditions, Pancake Day continues to evolve. With growing interest in different dietary requirements, vegan and gluten-free pancake recipes are becoming increasingly popular.
The traditional lemon and sugar topping now competes with everything from bacon and maple syrup to exotic fruit and artisanal chocolates.
Whatever form your Pancake Day takes – whether it’s a simple family supper or an elaborate themed event – there’s something wonderfully comforting about participating in a tradition that connects us not only to our past but to each other.
So when Shrove Tuesday rolls around next year, I’ll be ready with my mixing bowl and frying pan, prepared to create another year of memories sticky with syrup.
Because ultimately, that’s what traditions like Pancake Day are all about – not just the food, but the connections we make while enjoying it together.
15 Creative Pancake Fillings to Try This Pancake Day
Whether you’re gearing up for Shrove Tuesday or just craving a stack on a Sunday morning, here are some deliciously creative pancake fillings that go beyond the classic lemon and sugar:
Sweet Sensations
- Poached Pears and Mascarpone: Pears poached in spiced wine, served with a dollop of mascarpone and drizzled with the reduced poaching liquid.
- Baked Banana Bread: Mash overripe bananas with a splash of vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Fold in crushed walnuts before spreading between pancake layers.
- Lemon Curd and Blueberry Compote: Tangy homemade lemon curd swirled with warm blueberry compote for a perfect sweet-tart balance.
- Brown Butter and Toasted Hazelnuts: Nutty brown butter drizzled over pancakes with toasted hazelnuts and a light dusting of icing sugar.
- Rhubarb and Custard: Stewed rhubarb with vanilla bean custard – the quintessential British pudding reimagined for pancakes.
Indulgent Treats
- Tiramisu Filling: Layer pancakes with mascarpone sweetened with a little icing sugar, a splash of coffee liqueur, and dust with cocoa powder.
- Apple Pie Stack: Sautéed apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of caramel, layered between pancakes and topped with a crumble mixture.
- Black Forest Gateau: Dark chocolate sauce, boozy cherries, and whipped cream for a decadent dessert pancake.
- Peanut Butter Cup: Warm peanut butter mixed with a little cream to make it pourable, drizzled with chocolate ganache and sprinkled with crushed peanuts.
Savoury Surprises
- Smoked Salmon and Dill Cream Cheese: Layer cream cheese whipped with fresh dill, capers, and thinly sliced smoked salmon between savoury pancakes.
- Chorizo and Manchego: Crispy chorizo pieces with grated Manchego cheese, topped with a fried egg and fresh parsley.
- Wild Mushroom and Tarragon: Sautéed wild mushrooms in garlic butter with fresh tarragon and a splash of cream.
- Spinach, Feta and Pine Nuts: Wilted spinach with crumbled feta, toasted pine nuts, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Pulled Pork and Apple Slaw: Slow-cooked pulled pork with a crunchy apple and cabbage slaw made with a cider vinegar dressing.
- Goat’s Cheese and Caramelised Red Onion: Sweet, sticky red onions cooked down with balsamic vinegar, topped with crumbled goat’s cheese and fresh thyme.
What makes these fillings special is that they transform humble pancakes into sophisticated meals for any time of day.
Try serving the savoury options for brunch or dinner, and save the sweet ones for a special dessert or weekend breakfast treat!
