With Pancake Day almost here, it’s the perfect excuse to indulge in delicious, fluffy pancakes topped with all our favourite flavours. While many of us choose to whip up a batter and flip a few at home, there are lots of lovely ready made pancakes to choose from in the shops too.
The most common kinds you can grab in the supermarket are traditional Scotch pancakes that you pick up all year round or the larger, more indulgent American style buttermilk pancakes that are a special treat for a special occasion. Whether you go sweet or savoury, both types work wonderfully with a range of ingredients. Tied between the two, I purchased a pack of each and decided to pit them against each other.
Scotch pancakes
Also known as drop scones, Scotch pancakes are a type of thick, small pancake that’s popular in Scotland and often enjoyed as a snack or at teatime. Unlike their fluffier American cousins, Scotch pancakes are denser and have a slightly cakey feel to them.
I purchased mine ready made courtesy of my local Sainsbury’s, paying just 49p for a pack of six.
Traditionally, they are made from a batter that’s poured onto a hot griddle or frying pan in small circles, creating pancakes that are about the size of a tea saucer. Often served with a little butter or jam, I tried mine with a little sugar and lemon.
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Verdict:
I’ve had these many a time before, and always thought they tasted a little bland. Warmed under the grill, they tasted nice enough with little lemon and sugar.
They are a favourite tea time snack served up with a cuppa – and I can see why you would need a hot drinkg as they are a but dry.
American style pancakes
American pancake batter usually contains baking powder or bicarbonate of soda to help create a thick, fluffy pancake while the buttermilk adds a slightly sour flavour that works surprisingly well with sweet treats.
The mix tends to be runnier than Scotch pancake batter but it leaves the pancake with light, airy texture.
Much larger, they are usually served as a stack drizzed with maple syrup or chocolate sauce, with a cheeky bit of cream or ice cream on the side.
I purchased a pack of four buttermilk pancakes from Sainsburys for £1.79, warmed them slightly under the grill and smothered them with chocolate sauce and a dollop of quirty cream. I also added a couple of strawberries for good measure.
Verdict:
While it could be argued that it was the choccy sauce and cream that made these taste more indulgent, I have to say that the pancake alone was just much nicer.
It was fluffy and light on the tongue, with a delicate flavour that was a little sweet but not too much. This was definitely my favourite.
Pancake Day falls on Tuesday, March 4 this year. I’ll probably make a few of my own to keep the hungry mouths at home happy, but I’ll definitely be sneaking in a pack (or two) of the buttermilk pancakes as an extra little treat.