Traditional Swedish Christmas Pancakes
This cherished recipe is a delightful legacy from my Grandma, and it holds a special place in our family's Christmas traditions. As kids, we anxiously awaited Christmas morning, when the air would fill with the warm, inviting aroma of these delicate pancakes. With a crew of five energetic children and eight lively adults, Grandma had her work cut out for her, expertly flipping thin, tender pancakes that always left us clamoring for more. It's no wonder she only made them once a year! Each bite is a taste of nostalgia, evoking memories of family gatherings, laughter, and love shared around the breakfast table. Whether served with real maple syrup or a dollop of lingonberry, these pancakes are sure to create lasting memories for generations to come.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
milk
1 1/2 cups (Warm until butter is melted)
butter
2 tablespoons (Melted)
eggs
4 (Whisked until frothy)
flour
3/4 cup (Sifted)
baking powder
1 teaspoon (Sifted with flour)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (Sifted with flour)
lingonberry
to taste (Optional, for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2
In a small saucepan, gently warm the milk and butter over low heat until the butter is melted. Remove from heat.
3
In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and whisk until frothy. Gradually pour in the warm milk and butter mixture, whisking until combined.
4
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the sifted dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; some small lumps are okay. Allow the batter to rest for about 10 minutes.
5
Heat a crepe pan or nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Lightly coat the pan with butter, using a paper towel to evenly distribute and soak up any excess.
6
Pour 1/3 cup of batter into the hot pan, tilting to spread it evenly into a thin layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the edges start to curl and the surface appears set.
7
Carefully flip the pancake and cook for an additional minute until golden brown. Remove the pancake to a warm plate and keep covered with a kitchen towel to retain warmth.
8
Repeat the process, adding more butter to the pan as needed and continuing until the batter is gone.
9
Serve your festive pancakes warm with an array of toppings such as real maple syrup, powdered sugar, or lingonberries. Enjoy this heartwarming dish with your loved ones!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Traditional Swedish Christmas Pancakes?
Traditional Swedish Christmas Pancakes are delicate, thin, and tender pancakes often served during the holidays, based on a cherished family recipe passed down through generations.
What ingredients are needed for these pancakes?
The recipe requires milk, butter, 4 eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, and optional lingonberries for serving.
How should the dry ingredients be prepared?
You should sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl to ensure a smooth texture.
What is the best way to handle the milk and butter?
Gently warm the milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat until the butter has completely melted, then remove from heat.
How should the eggs be prepared for the batter?
The eggs should be cracked into a separate bowl and whisked until they are frothy before adding other ingredients.
How do you combine the wet and dry ingredients?
Gradually pour the warm milk and butter mixture into the frothy eggs, whisk to combine, and then pour this mixture into the sifted dry ingredients.
Should the batter be perfectly smooth?
No, you should stir gently until just combined; it is perfectly fine if there are some small lumps in the batter.
How long should the pancake batter rest?
Allow the batter to rest for about 10 minutes before you start cooking.
What type of pan is best for Swedish pancakes?
A crepe pan or a nonstick frying pan is ideal for achieving the thin, delicate texture required for these pancakes.
How do you prepare the pan for cooking?
Heat the pan over medium-high heat and lightly coat it with butter, using a paper towel to distribute it evenly and remove excess grease.
How much batter should be used for each pancake?
Pour approximately 1/3 cup of batter into the hot pan for each pancake.
How do you get the pancakes so thin?
Immediately after pouring the batter, tilt the pan to spread it evenly into a very thin layer.
How long does each pancake take to cook?
Cook the first side for 1-2 minutes until the edges curl, and the second side for about one minute until golden brown.
How do you know when to flip the pancake?
The pancake is ready to flip when the edges start to curl and the surface appears set.
How can you keep the pancakes warm while cooking the rest?
Place finished pancakes on a warm plate and keep them covered with a clean kitchen towel to retain their heat.
What are the traditional toppings for these pancakes?
Traditional toppings include lingonberries, real maple syrup, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Are lingonberries required for this recipe?
Lingonberries are optional but highly recommended for an authentic Swedish holiday experience.
Is this a traditional Christmas recipe?
Yes, this recipe is a specific family legacy traditionally prepared on Christmas morning.
How many eggs are used in the recipe?
This recipe calls for 4 large eggs to give the pancakes their characteristic richness and structure.
Can I use regular syrup if I don't have lingonberries?
Yes, real maple syrup is a delicious alternative suggested by the original recipe creator.
What is the texture of a Swedish pancake?
They are described as delicate, thin, and tender, similar to a French crepe but with a unique Swedish profile.
Is baking powder used in this recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of baking powder is sifted with the flour to provide a slight lift to the thin pancakes.
How much milk is required?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of milk, which is warmed with butter before being added to the batter.
How much flour is in the batter?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of sifted flour, keeping the batter light and thin.
Can these pancakes be served as a dessert?
While traditionally a breakfast item, their delicate nature and sweet toppings make them an excellent holiday dessert.
Why is the batter rested for 10 minutes?
Resting the batter allows the flour to fully hydrate and the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender pancake.
What heat setting should I use?
Medium-high heat is recommended to quickly cook the thin batter and achieve a golden brown color without drying them out.
How many ingredients are there in total?
There are 7 main ingredients: milk, butter, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, and lingonberries.
What makes this recipe nostalgic?
It evokes memories of large family gatherings on Christmas morning, with the aroma of butter and the sound of laughter around the breakfast table.
Is it difficult to flip these pancakes?
They require a careful hand because they are so thin, but using a nonstick pan and waiting for the edges to curl makes the process much easier.