Many of us share a love for pancakes, and today, we’re diving into the closely guarded recipe of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite scotch pancakes, also known as dropped scones.
These delectable treats were a breakfast staple for Her Majesty, who preferred the heartier and thicker scotch style over thin crepes.
Despite having personal chefs at her disposal, Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed experimenting with her own recipes, and these pancakes held a special place in her heart.
The recipe, believed to have been sent by the Queen to President Eisenhower around 1960, is a unique blend that incorporates three different raising agents, resulting in pancakes that are extra light and fluffy.
To recreate these scrumptious pancakes fit for royalty, you’ll need a list of ingredients that includes a free-range egg, unrefined caster sugar, melted unsalted butter, full-fat milk, bicarbonate of soda, plain flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, and clarified unsalted butter.
These components come together to form a batter that promises a delicious outcome.
Starting with the dry ingredients, a mixture of plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, and caster sugar is sieved together to ensure a smooth and lump-free batter.
This step is crucial in achieving the desired light and fluffy texture that characterizes these pancakes.
Moving on to the wet ingredients, the egg and full-fat milk are combined and whisked until a smooth batter is formed.
Following the Queen’s advice, passing the batter through a sieve helps maintain the right consistency.
The batter should have a dropping consistency, thick enough to hold its shape on the griddle or pan.
Once the batter is ready, it’s time to cook the pancakes.
Melt clarified unsalted butter on a non-stick pan or pancake griddle, then ladle the batter onto the surface to form individual pancakes.
As they cook, the pancakes will start to bubble and turn golden brown, indicating that they’re ready to be flipped.
Although achieving the perfect circular shape may be a challenge, the delicious flavor of these scotch pancakes makes the effort worthwhile.
Once cooked, serve the pancakes with butter, jam, or any topping of your choice.
These pancakes are a delightful blend of tradition and flavor, fit for a monarch’s table.
By following this recipe, you’ve recreated Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved scotch pancakes, a culinary delight that brings a taste of royalty to your breakfast table.
If you enjoyed this cooking experience, stay tuned for more royal-inspired recipes and don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Happy cooking, and may your mornings be filled with the joy of pancakes fit for royalty.