Every February 2nd, France celebrates La Chandeleur, also known as Candlemas, a tradition deeply rooted in both religious and culinary history. While originally a Christian holiday marking the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, it has evolved into a national celebration centered around crêpes—those delicious, thin pancakes loved by people of all ages.
But why crêpes? According to tradition, eating crêpes on Chandeleur symbolizes prosperity and good fortune. The round, golden shape of a crêpe is said to represent the sun and the return of longer days as winter begins to fade.
If you want to partake in this delicious tradition, here’s a classic French crêpe recipe to enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Crêpe Recipe
- Easy to Make – With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up delicious crêpes in no time. No fancy equipment needed!
- Light & Delicious – These crêpes are perfectly thin, soft, and slightly crispy on the edges, making them irresistible.
- Versatile – Enjoy them sweet with sugar, Nutella, or fruit, or go savory with ham, cheese, and eggs. The possibilities are endless!
- Authentic French Taste – This classic recipe follows traditional French techniques, giving you that perfect Parisian café experience at home.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Whether for Chandeleur, breakfast, brunch, or dessert, crêpes are always a good idea!
- Fun to Make – Flipping crêpes is a great activity for the whole family. Plus, you can test your flipping skills for good luck!
So, grab your ingredients and start flipping—because once you try this recipe, you’ll want to make crêpes all year round! 🥞✨
Classic French Crêpe Recipe
Ingredients (for about 10 crêpes)
- 250g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs
- 500ml (2 cups) milk
- 2 tbsp melted butter (plus extra for cooking)
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, for sweet crêpes)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp rum or vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, and salt together.
- Make a well in the center and add the eggs. Mix gently.
- Slowly add the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Stir in the melted butter and rum/vanilla extract.
- Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes (this helps create smoother, softer crêpes).
- Cook the Crêpes
- Heat a non-stick skillet or crêpe pan over medium heat and lightly butter it.
- Pour a small ladle (about ¼ cup) of batter into the pan, tilting it in a circular motion to spread evenly.
- Cook for about 1-2 minutes until the edges start to lift, then flip and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Repeat with the remaining batter, buttering the pan as needed.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Sprinkle with sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice for a simple treat.
- Spread with Nutella, jam, honey, or even ham and cheese for a savory version.
Chandeleur Superstitions & Traditions
- It’s said that if you can flip a crêpe in the air with one hand while holding a gold coin in the other, you’ll have good luck all year!
- Families often gather for a crêpe party, making both sweet and savory variations.
Whether you celebrate for the tradition or just love an excuse to eat crêpes, Chandeleur is the perfect time to indulge!
Chandeleur: The French Festival of Crêpes and Tradition
Description
Every February 2nd, France celebrates La Chandeleur, also known as Candlemas, a tradition deeply rooted in both religious and culinary history. While originally a Christian holiday marking the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple,
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 615kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 9g14%
- Saturated Fat 4g20%
- Cholesterol 141mg47%
- Sodium 121mg6%
- Potassium 256mg8%
- Total Carbohydrate 130g44%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 50g
- Protein 18g36%
- Vitamin A 450 IU
- Calcium 220 mg
- Iron 2 mg
- Vitamin D 3 IU
- Vitamin E 1 IU
- Vitamin K 1 mcg
- Thiamin 0.2 mg
- Niacin 1 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.2 mg
- Folate 46 mcg
- Vitamin B12 1 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 1 mg
- Phosphorus 296 mg
- Magnesium 39 mg
- Zinc 2 mg
- Selenium 45 mcg
- Copper 0.2 mg
- Manganese 1 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Recipe Details for Classic French Crêpes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Resting Time: 30 minutes (optional but recommended)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Cooking Temperature: Medium heat (on a stovetop, no oven required)
- Estimated Cost: $5 – $8 (varies by location and ingredients used)
- Number of Servings: About 10 crêpes (serves 4-5 people)
