Pancakes aka pannekoek is a traditional South African treat that is often baked when it rains and a favorite treat during food markets or sport events. It is similar to the French crépe, although not exactly the same, but also not the American pancakes(which we call flapjacks or crumpets). It is something you just have to try!
The word pannekoek comes from the way it is baked- a cake(koek) in a pan. Pancakes are traditionally served with cinnamon sugar, although there are different fillers- sweet and salty, that one can try. Some ideas: mayo chicken, saucy mincemeat, bananas and caramel, Nutella and cream etc.
Now, onto how to make pancakes aka pannekoek! (Find a printable recipe card right at the end of the post.)
This is a large recipe. It can be halved. Beat 4 eggs, 5 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1 cup of vegetable oil and a pinch of salt together. Then add 4 cups of plain cake flour with 4 teaspoons of baking powder. Beat well until the batter is runny. Add more water if necessary. Be VERY careful with the vinegar because if you add too much it will taste terrible. (The vinegar is necessary because it keeps the pancake moist without being rubbery.)
Use a non-stick pan with a large base. (There are sometimes pancake pans available at supermarkets, we have not bought one as of yet, similar to THIS one.) The pan must be quite hot too. When pouring the batter, swirl the pan so that it covers the full base of the pan. It should be a very thin layer too. Let it bake for a few minutes until you see tiny holes appear as seen below:
Flip the pancake and bake the other side for a few minutes until brown. Do not over bake as it could become rubbery then. Mix sugar and cinnamon(the mix should be a light brown) and sprinkle it onto a plate. I use an empty sprinkles holder, works great.
Place the hot pancake on the sugared plate and sprinkle more sugar on top. Place the next pancake on top of this one and continue until all are baked. Placing it on top of each other with cinnamon sugar “layers” helps to melt the sugar and keeps it soft too.
Serve the pancakes rolled up and still hot! Yummy!
Enjoy traditional South African pancakes or pannekoek the next time it is rainy weather!
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Pancakes/Pannekoek
Traditional South African pancakes, similar to French crepé served with cinnamon sugar.
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 4 cups of plain cake flour
- 5 cups of water
- 4 teaspoons of baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup of white vinegar
- 1 cup of vegetable oil
- Cinnamon sugar(mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with 1 cup of sugar)
Instructions
- Beat the eggs, water, vinegar, oil and salt together.
- Add the flour and baking powder and beat well.
- Pour batter into a shallow pan and bake a few minutes on both sides.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the pancake.
Notes
Do not overbake as the pancake can become rubbery. Be careful with the vinegar as it might taste sour if you add too much.
Nadia van Zyl says
Enjoy!
Valerie says
I have so many recipes (I stopped counting after 60) for pannekoek and not one recipe is without the Vinegar, Brandy or Lemon Juice. I am 69 ex South African and live in New Zealand and have always added brandy. Your recipe was one of the best.
Thank you sweetie for sharing. My hubby says its “lekkerder” (better) with the vinegar than the brandy.
Salomie Iannetti says
Thank you for the quick and easy recipe…also big bonus for not having to use any milk.
Will make these again as my kids loved them.
Thanks Nadia
Tiffany says
This recipe is amazing ….. I replaced the vinegar with Lemon juice like you said in the notes and they came out fantastic!!!!
Nadia van Zyl says
You have to be very careful with it, add less if it is not to your taste.
Charmaine says
I do not agree…this is an amazing recipe! And…there is absolutely no vinegar taste – if you follow the recipe to the “t”. It is soft and melt in the mouth delicious…thank you Nadia.♡♡♡
Melina says
The vinegar is too much. I put the exact quantity required. They taste quite bitter and the sugar is not covering it
Laura says
Thank you for the recipe Nadia! We love this one the best and make it about once a week 🙂
Nadia van Zyl says
You have to be very careful not to add too much vinegar, as it will be awful if you do. Also, please remember to be kind, even online. It is a real person, with feelings behind this blog, not a machine.
Charlene says
Awful ! Do not try this recipe!
Zenora says
Great recipe! Love it!! Only problem might be the quantity of vinegar, they taste really bitter.
Shane Elliot says
Vinegar makes it really nice, my kids ate a lot 🙂
Nadia van Zyl says
You have to be very careful not to put too much in. It keeps the pancakes soft and moist. You can substitute it with lemon juice or brandy.
Rene Lewis says
Why do you put in vinegar?!? The kids hated it.. It took alot of sugary things to mask that taste
liam Watkins says
Great recipe! I really love South African pancakes. Thanks for sharing and keep the good job.