Cream Cheese and Chocolate Fudge Pancake recipes for Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras

In England Shrove Tuesday is the day everyone eats pancakes with lemon and sugar or jam.
it is also a tradition for folks to hold pancake races, tossing the pancake as they run.
This dates back to the Catholic Church and the beginning of Lent, when all rich ingredients ( eggs, milk, sugar, butter) were eaten, before 40 days and 40 night of fasting (or foods being given up ) begins.

Here are some very rich recipes, that you may not wish to give up.....



Basic pancake mix Gobsmacked style ( crepe really)


makes 12  x12 pancakes
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cup milk
1 cup purpose flour ( or whole wheat flour and add 2 cups milk)
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp melted butter, marg or oil

Whisk the eggs and milk to blend well.
Add the flour and salt,melted butter and beat for 2-3 mins, even with a hand blender (this is to work and stretch the gluten).
Set aside, covered for 2-3 hours ( this may even be made the night before).
heat a large skillet with a small amount of oil (butter burns )
pour 2 tbsp batter in middle of hot pan and swirl with wrist to spread to sides of pan.
Cook until the top is dry and then flip/turn over and cook the other side for 10 seconds.
Stack wrapped in cotton towels, to keep flexible.




 Cream cheese with warm jam sauce serves 6


12 pancakes/crepes

1/2 cup sugar
1 pound cream cheese
3/4 cup sour cream
1tbsp vanilla, almond or lemon extract
1 cup butter
3 tsp lemon,(or any citrus) zest 


Preheat oven 350F middle shelf

 
using an electric hand blender, beat all ingredients together, then place in center of each pancake and roll as with a burrito, ( fold sides in , then top to bottom).
Place in a buttered, oven proof dish.
Bake in oven uncovered, 15-20 mins.
Remove to warm serving dishes and pour over the warm jam.

Variations add soaked raisins or any dried fruit, these are also good with chopped fresh fruit mixed into the cream cheese mix.


1 cup any jam/preserve
1/4 cup lemon, orange or apple juice
Mix together and heat in a small saucepan, until just bubbling, serve at room temp.

 Variation: add any liqueur of your taste, and even some  fresh fruit to match the jam.

Chocolate pancakes

Add 
2 1/2 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp sugar
 to basic pancake batter, before resting.
Make as for the regular pancakes



Chocolate-coconut pancakes  serves 6
 12 pancakes
melt 1 pound milk chocolate or semi sweet chips
in 2/3 cup water 
2 tbsp butter.
Mix well to blend then add
2/3 cup whipping/single cream
1 1/2 cups sweetened dessicated coconut

Fill each pancake with the  mix and serve immediately



Chocolate Fudge pancakes with chocolate ice cream 6 servings

12 chocolate pancakes

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1tsp instant coffee or espresso
1 cup cream (whipping or single)
1/3 unsweetened cocoa powder
2tsp vanilla extract

chocolate ice cream

chopped nuts (optional)

Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the sugar, cocoa and coffee.
Stir well together then add the cream, and stir over medium heat for about 5 mins.
Remove from heat and add the vanilla.

Fill each pancake with ice cream and drizzle the hot fudge sauce over, serve immediately..sprinkled with nuts