Get ready for Pancake Play!

Happy Pancake Day. Read on for some great tips on how you can enjoy fun filled activities with your little ones.

What is Pancake Day?

Pancake Day comes from the Christian tradition of Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, at the start of the Lent. In 16th century Britain, people would fast during Lent which meant abstaining from all meat, dairy, and eggs. Pancakes were made as way to use up any leftover dairy products before the fasting started.

Nowadays, Shrove Tuesday is more widely known as Pancake Day and is also celebrated by non-Christians as a fun day that many, particularly children, look forward to.

Are pancakes healthy for my baby?

Unless your baby has an allergy to any of the ingredients, pancakes are a great option right from the start of baby led weaning, which is usually around 6 months of age. They offer a variety of nutrients and can be made more nutritious by adding tasty topping or extra ingredients in the pancake batter.

How do I make them?

A traditional pancake recipe typically involves 100g plain flour, 2 large eggs and 300ml milk. Some people also add vegetable oil or butter. Whisk the ingredients to a smooth batter, set aside for 30 mins if you have time. Once ready, use half a ladleful of batter per pancake then cook in a in a lightly oiled frying pan or crepe pan over a medium heat for about 1 min on each side until golden, using around half a ladleful of batter per pancake.

Get creative

You can easily adapt this traditional recipe to omit the eggs or use oats instead of flour – a quick internet search with reveal a glut of recipes to suit tastes or those with allergies. A clever way to get kids eating their greens or more fruit is by blending them into the mixture. This also give a fun colour to the pancakes – think spinach for green pancakes and blueberries for purple ones.

Top toppings

Healthy toppings include a smidgeon of cream cheese, peanut butter or yogurt. For a sweeter treat, use a dash of maple syrup. Berries and bananas also make delicious toppings or you could add vegetables for a savoury treat - the possibilities are endless. 

Pancake play

If you’re feeling creative and adventurous, put your pancake batter into a squeeze bottle to create fun shapes and designs in your frying pan. From Mickey Mouse ears to love hearts,  see your little ones light up as they get to sample your fun pancake creations.

Happy pancake day from The Pura Team!