If you want to take a trip down memory lane or simply want to enjoy some sweet comfort, pikelets are a perfect choice. These old-fashioned delights are the perfect addition to your morning or afternoon tea. They’re also easy to make – you can whip up a batch in around 15 minutes with this pikelet recipe. Enjoy with jam, whipped cream or maple syrup and butter.
Ingredients
Method
Sift flour and soda together in to a medium bowl. Mix in sugar. Make a well in the centre and gradually stir in egg and enough milk to give a smooth, creamy pouring consistency. Rest 15 mins.
Heat a frying pan on medium. Brush with butter. Drop tablespoons of batter from tip of spoon into pan, allowing room for spreading. Cook 1-2 minutes until bubbles begin to appear and break. Turn pikelets and cook 1 minute until golden.
Transfer to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve warm with butter, cream, jam or maple syrup.
What is the difference between a pikelet and a pancake?
While pancakes and pikelets are pan-fried batter-based treats, they have some differences. Pikelets and pancakes differ in ingredients — pancakes use eggs and fat, while pikelets are simpler with self-raising flour and milk. Texture-wise, pancakes are fluffier, larger, and round, while pikelets are smaller and thinner. Pikelets are made with spoonfuls of batter, while pancakes are ladle-poured for different sizes and shapes.
If you want to try both, our 15 best pancake recipes have plenty of inspiration with both sweet and savoury options.
Why are my pikelets rubbery?
If your pikelets have turned out rubbery, it’s likely you’ve overmixed the batter. Overmixing the batter removes air bubbles, which are essential for a light and fluffy pikelet.
If you follow the instructions in this pikelet recipe, and stop stirring once the batter has reached a smooth, pouring consistency, you should find that your pikelets are lighter once cooked.
How long will pikelets keep after making?
Pikelets can be stored for around 2 to 3 days when kept in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to extend their freshness, consider refrigerating them for up to a week or freezing them for a few months. Just reheat in a toaster or microwave before serving.
Why are pikelets now called crumpets?
In Australia, pikelets and crumpets are very different things. But in some regional areas of the UK, pikelets may be called crumpets. In fact, there is even such a thing as an English pikelet, which is basically a cross between a drop scone (or Scotch pancake) and a crumpet – complete with the bubbly holes on top.
To make it even more confusing, there are parts of Scotland where a crumpet is more similar to what we in Australia know as a pikelet. But if you’re ever in doubt, you could always clarify by saying something along the lines of “pikelets, which are kind of like mini pancakes”.
