I don’t know if these are considered a “traditional” French Canadian Pancake but this is an old family recipe. My Dad has been making these pancakes for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, he used to roll them up, almost as you would a crepe. While I do love the thicker, fluffier pancakes, these ones will always hold a special place in my heart. As you can see, they are thin, not as thin as crepes, but thinner than you typical, fluffy pancake. The texture is a little bit chewy and magically, they soak up all of the maple syrup on the plate. My favourite part is when they get this delicious browning on all sides which adds a nice texture and sweetness.
There’s just something that is so much fun about eating a big stack of pancakes for dinner. It’s as if you’re beating the system or rebelling against society. I can just imagine a little kid stamping their feet saying, “I want pancakes for dinner, not salad.” After a long, exhausting and defeating day, pancakes are the perfect dinner to shine a little light on your day. You might even say that these can cure a case of the Mondays.
Man, Mondays are not my favourite.
French Canadian Pancakes (serves 2-4)
Old family recipe
Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon white granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3 tablespoon melted butter + more for frying
2 cups milk
Directions
In a large bowl, sift dry ingredients together. Beat in remaining wet ingredients. The mixture may be a little lumpy.
Heat butter over medium heat in a large frying pan. Ladle the thin batter into the pan. Cook for one to two minutes or until bubbles appear, flip and repeat until fully cooked.
Who is going to beat a case of the Mondays with these pancakes?
– Lou
Joanie
My mother was French Canadian/Scot she did not learn to speak English until she was a teenager even though she was born in America. She made the French Canadian Pancakes quite often. I always loved them but I never asked how she made them I guess I figured she would be here for a long time and unfortunately for me she was not. I have missed them so these sound about right. So I will make them and hope they taste the same or very close. My mother’s pancakes were very, very thin.
Carol McC
I grew up with these! My mother was born in the 1930s, her dad French Canadian/Acadian. We’d have them cold, too, with peanut butter and jelly, rolled up. Or for supper with leftover meat and gravy over top. Thanks for posting this. It sure brings back memories.
Shirley Clements
I have my dinner planned for tonight but I will be making your pancakes for my breakfast, tomorrow morning! They are sooo yummy!
Angela Bell
Lou, I made these this morning–delightful! Thank you!
Lou
So glad you enjoyed these, Angela! Thanks for letting me know.
Debra
My mom was French Canadian and it was always a special treat when she made these. We simply called them French Pancakes – thanks for sharing.
Lou
Thanks Debra, I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Shelly
Found these this morning and I think you are correct about thre origin. my grandma Sauve’s entire family was French Canadian, mostly from Montreal, and these were know in my house as Grandma’s pancakes. Had a nostalgic breakfast this morning, thanks for sharing!
Lou
I’m so glad that you loved this recipe Shelly!
Shirley
I felt like pancakes this morning, so went to your Pancake(s) Blog site & decided to make your French Canadian Pancake recipe! They were delicious, I must say! I have made your Banana Pancake recipe & your Blueberry Pancake recipe in the past (which were excellent) but didn’t have either on hand so chose your thinner French Canadian Pancake recipe! It soooo satisfied my craving! Many thanks for all of the choices you have provided!
Melissa LaChance Lowrey
I make them as well in my family. My Dad makes them when we visit. We call them clipes (not sure the correct spelling). I’ve only found the correct spelling online once and wish I had printed it for my cookbook. Do you know? Thank you for posting. I’m afraid it will be a recipe of the past.
Lou
Hi Melissa,
Hmm, I’m not sure that I’ve heard of clipes before. Are you perhaps thinking of something along the lines of crepes? They are similar to this recipe although much thinner. Sorry, not sure that I’m much help!