Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Scottish Pancake Recipe Has Resurfaced—Here's How to Make the Royal Tea-Time Treat (2024)

Known as drop scones in the U.K., these silver-dollar sized cakes were once served to a former U.S. president.

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Nashia Baker

Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Scottish Pancake Recipe Has Resurfaced—Here's How to Make the Royal Tea-Time Treat (1)

Nashia Baker is a skilled writer and editor in the journalism industry, known for her work interviewing global thought leaders, creatives, and activists, from Aurora James to Stacey Abrams. She has over five years of professional experience and has been a part of the Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart Weddings teams for the last 3 years.

Published on October 11, 2022

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Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Scottish Pancake Recipe Has Resurfaced—Here's How to Make the Royal Tea-Time Treat (2)

Over the course of her life, Queen Elizabeth was known for her sweet tooth (she loved indulging in the royal family's famous Christmas cookies!). She also enjoyed one particular tea-time treat: Scottish pancakes. According to Simplemost, Queen Elizabeth's personal recipe for the dish, also known as drop scones, has surfaced on Reddit in the weeks following her passing. It's the very same one she used when hosting President Dwight Eisenhower during his trip to Balmoral Castle in Scotland back in 1959.

The drop cakes were apparently so delicious, the former president requested the recipe during his stay, and Queen Elizabeth shared it in a letter five months later: "Dear Mr. President. Seeing a picture of you in today's newspaper, standing in front of a barbecue grilling quail, reminded me that I had never sent you the recipe of the drop scones which I promised you at Balmoral," the Queen wrote. "I now hasten to do so, and I hope you will find them successful."

These tea-time treats aren't exactly like the pancakes often served with syrup on breakfast tables in the United States; Scottish pancakes are dollar-sized delights that are best paired with honey, butter, and jam (like scones!). They are, however, still prepared on a greased pan or griddle—just like traditional American pancakes. Follow these steps to make the royal-approved batter:

  1. Beat two eggs with 4 tablespoons of sugar and about one teacup (or 3/4 of a cup) of milk
  2. Add 4 teacups of flour and mix in another teacup of milk "as required"
  3. Mix in 3 teaspoons of cream of tartar and 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda (baking soda)
  4. Fold in 2 tablespoons of melted butter

As for the the royal matriarch's other tips? Beat the batter "a great deal" before adding dollops to the pan—and when you do, let the drop scones cook for a few minutes on each side, slightly longer than traditional American pancakes (Scottish pancakes are thicker). The Queen also suggested serving them with treacle or golden syrup.

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Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Scottish Pancake Recipe Has Resurfaced—Here's How to Make the Royal Tea-Time Treat (2024)

FAQs

Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Scottish Pancake Recipe Has Resurfaced—Here's How to Make the Royal Tea-Time Treat? ›

Beat two eggs with 4 tablespoons of sugar and about one teacup (or 3/4 of a cup) of milk. Add 4 teacups of flour and mix in another teacup of milk "as required" Mix in 3 teaspoons of cream of tartar and 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda (baking soda) Fold in 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

What is Queen Elizabeth's pancake recipe? ›

How to Make Queen Elizabeth's Pancakes
  1. 4 teacups flour (3 regular cups all-purpose flour)
  2. 3 teaspoons cream of tartar.
  3. 2 teaspoons baking soda.
  4. 2 teacups milk (12 ounces or 1-1/2 cups)
  5. 2 whole eggs.
  6. 4 tablespoons caster sugar.
  7. 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus more to grease the pan)
Sep 21, 2022

Did the Queen eat pancakes? ›

Learn the secrets to making Queen Elizabeth's favourite pancakes – this royal pancakes recipe comes directly from the palace chefs! Simple to make British-style pancakes with a few different toppings to make sure you never get bored!

What is the history of Scottish pancakes? ›

The tradition of making pancakes was designed to use up all the 'forbidden' foods before Lent in order to avoid spoiling and waste. A pancake was a 'cake' cooked on a heated flat-surface; historically a bakestone, hearthstone or griddle, and eventually a pan.

How to make pancakes the night before? ›

How can I make the pancake batter ahead of time? To make ahead the pancake batter, prepare it in the evening. Then, cover the bowl, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, give the batter a quick whisk just before you want to use it.

What is the Favourite dish of Queen Elizabeth? ›

Queen Elizabeth adhered to a daily teatime meal; her preference for delicate sandwiches with the crusts cut off was well-publicized. Her favorite version was reported to be smoked salmon with cream cheese. If the old adage is true, one should eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a pauper.

What was Queen Elizabeth's favorite cake? ›

Posted on www.today.com (Read original article here.) “This chocolate biscuit cake is Her Royal Majesty the Queen's favorite afternoon tea cake by far,” chef Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef and former personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, told TODAY Food.

Is a Scottish crumpet a pancake? ›

"These are soft pancake-like or crepe-like fare but made larger and more thinly than pancakes. They can be spread with butter and/or jam and they are traditionally rolled up before eating.

What do Americans call Scotch pancakes? ›

To this day, pancakes go by many names, such as flapjacks or slapjacks. Both Scotch pancakes and American flapjacks are cooked the same way with some hot oil or melted butter on a griddle or pan.

What are British pancakes called? ›

In the UK, the word pancakes refers to the same thing, but the word flapjacks refers to something entirely different: a baked good made from oats, resembling what elsewhere may be called a granola bar or oat bar. The word flapjack is traced back to the late 1500s.

Is it OK to eat pancake at night? ›

Nothing at all is wrong with eating pancakes for dinner. It's not a very healthy meal, so I wouldn't do that too often, but if you like it don't let other people tell you that you have to follow their inane “rules”.

Is it OK to eat pancakes in the morning? ›

Pancakes are a great breakfast option once in a while, but should not be eaten regularly. Pancakes and syrup are carb and sugar-heavy, which may cause you to wish for a nap! Better breakfast options will include eggs and whole grains.

Can I eat pancakes from last night? ›

Yes. Pancakes have the same ingredients as biscuits, muffins and cake, so they won't "go off" if unrefrigerated. If you left them uncovered they'll be kind of dry, though. We throw our leftover pancakes in a plastic tub in the fridge and either toast or microwave them for breakfast or snack time.

What is Queen Elizabeth cake made of? ›

Queen Elizabeth cake is a dessert cake prepared with sugar, flour, dates, eggs, and butter, and topped with a sugary icing infused with shredded coconut. The cake is named after Elizabeth II. It is a popular cake in Canada. The coconut topping is prepared by broiling or grilling.

What was Queen Elizabeths breakfast? ›

Queen Elizabeth prefered to keep it simple when it came to breakfast. A bowl of Special K with some assorted fruits was apparently her go-to meal to get the day started the right way. On special occasions, she allegedly treated herself to some scrambled eggs and smoked salmon if she felt like it!

What did Queen Elizabeth like in her scrambled eggs? ›

Shortly after the Queen died in 2022, Australian nutritionist Lee Holmes revealed on her website that a close friend of hers once cooked for the Queen, noting that Her Majesty enjoyed her scrambled eggs prepared with nutmeg and lemon zest, according to the New York Post.

What are British pancakes made of? ›

Method. Put 100g plain flour, 2 large eggs, 300ml milk, 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil and a pinch of salt into a bowl or large jug, then whisk to a smooth batter. This should be similar in consistency to single cream. Set aside for 30 mins to rest if you have time, or start cooking straight away.

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