Celebrate International Crepe Day with Maxima

 

International Crepe Day, celebrated on 2 February, is a delightful occasion for bakeries, cafes, crepe food trucks and home bakers to honour the beloved crepe. This day offers an opportunity to explore the rich history of crepes, master the art of making them and experiment with various flavours to delight customers and loved ones.

The origin of crepe day

Crepe Day, known as La Chandeleur in France, is rooted in religious and agricultural traditions. Initially, it was associated with Candlemas, a Christian feast marking the presentation of Jesus at the temple, observed 40 days after Christmas. Over time, the day became linked with the making and eating of crepes, symbolising the sun and the anticipation of spring. The round, golden appearance of crepes was thought to represent the sun, making them a fitting food for this mid-winter celebration.

What ingredients do you need to make crepes

To prepare crepes, you'll need the following ingredients:

  • Flour: Plain wheat flour is traditional, but buckwheat flour can be used for savoury crepes.
  • Eggs: They provide structure and richness.
  • Milk: Whole milk is preferred for a tender texture.
  • Butter: Melted butter adds flavour and helps prevent sticking.
  • Salt: A pinch enhances the overall taste.
  • Sugar: Optional for sweet crepes.

In addition to ingredients, having the right equipment is crucial. A quality crepe maker ensures even cooking and the perfect thinness.

Maxima's professional crepe makers

Maxima offers professional-grade crepe makers suitable for both commercial and home use. Our crepe makers come in single and double models, featuring a 40 cm non-stick cooking surface and a robust cast-iron plate for excellent heat retention. The durable stainless steel housing ensures long-term use in busy food establishments. 

With an adjustable thermostat ranging from 0°C to 300°C, Maxima crepe makers provide precise temperature control, guaranteeing evenly cooked crepes every time. For businesses looking to expand their menu, Maxima's double crepe makers allow you to prepare two crepes simultaneously, boosting efficiency and customer satisfaction. The high-quality construction ensures reliability, making it a must-have for bakeries, cafes and food trucks serving crepes daily.

Maxima's handy crepe accessories

To achieve professional results with ease, Maxima offers a range of essential crepe-making accessories:

  • Batter dispenser: Available in 1,3L and 1,6L models, these dispensers ensure precise portioning and reduce waste.
  • Batter spreader: Helps smooth batter on the crepe plate for even and consistent cooking.
  • Wooden spatula: Ideal for flipping and spreading crepes without damaging the surface.

These tools streamline the process and enhance efficiency in a busy kitchen environment, making them invaluable for professionals and home cooks.

Recipe for making the perfect crepes

Creating perfect crepes involves a few key steps:

  1. Prepare the batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt (and sugar, if making sweet crepes). Create a well in the centre and add the eggs. Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring a smooth, lump-free batter. Use a Maxima planetary mixer to ensure your batter is smooth and well-combined. Stir in the melted butter. For best results, let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax.
  2. Heat the crepe maker: Preheat your crepe maker to medium heat. Maxima's crepe makers feature a variable thermostat for precise temperature control.
  3. Cook the crepes: Lightly grease the cooking surface with butter or oil. Pour a small amount of batter onto the centre of the crepe maker. Use a batter spreader to distribute the batter evenly into a thin, round layer. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until the edges start to lift and the underside is golden brown. Flip the crepe and cook the other side for an additional 30 seconds.
  4. Serve immediately: Place the cooked crepe on a plate and cover to keep warm. Repeat the process with the remaining batter.

Cooking tips for making perfect crepes

Achieving the ideal crepe requires attention to detail:

  • Consistency of the batter: Aim for a batter that is the consistency of double cream. If it's too thick, add more milk; if it's too thin, incorporate more flour.
  • Resting the batter: Allowing the batter to rest helps produce tender crepes. This rest period lets the flour fully hydrate and the gluten relax.
  • Temperature control: Maintaining the right temperature is crucial. Too hot, and the crepes may burn; too cool and they can become rubbery.
  • Greasing the surface: Use minimal butter or oil to prevent sticking without making the crepes greasy.
  • Even spreading: Utilise the batter spreader to achieve a uniform thickness, ensuring even cooking.

Popular sweet and savoury crepe flavours

Crepes are versatile and can be enjoyed with a variety of fillings:

Sweet crepes

  • Classic sugar and lemon: A simple yet delightful combination of granulated sugar and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
  • Nutella and banana: A decadent spread of Nutella paired with sliced bananas.
  • Strawberries and cream: Fresh strawberries with whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
  • Crepe Suzette: A traditional French dessert featuring crepes served with a sauce of caramelised sugar, butter, orange juice, zest and Grand Marnier liqueur.

Savoury crepes

  • Ham and cheese: A classic filling of sliced ham and melted Gruyère or Emmental cheese.
  • Spinach and feta: Sautéed spinach combined with crumbled feta cheese.
  • Smoked salmon and cream cheese: Thinly sliced smoked salmon with a spread of cream cheese, topped with fresh dill.
  • Mushroom and Swiss cheese: Sautéed mushrooms with melted Swiss cheese.

Expanding your menu with Maxima's pancake and waffle makers

Maxima also provides high-quality pancake and waffle makers for those looking to diversify their offerings. These appliances allow bakeries, cafes and food trucks to serve a broader range of delicious treats, attracting more customers. Maxima's pancake makers ensure evenly cooked, fluffy pancakes, while our professional waffle makers create crispy, golden waffles perfect for sweet or savoury toppings.

Investing in these versatile machines can help businesses increase revenue while offering customers more variety.

International Crepe Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the art of crepe-making, whether in a professional setting or at home. With the right ingredients, equipment and techniques, anyone can create delicious crepes to delight customers and guests. Maxima's professional crepe makers and accessories make the process effortless, ensuring perfect results every time.

Are you ready to take your crepe-making skills to the next level? Explore Maxima's range of professional crepe makers and celebrate Crepe Day with delicious, perfectly made crepes!