Palacsinta Hungarian Pancakes Recipe
Kimberly Booker RD
As I embark on a culinary journey to Hungary, one of the first dishes that caught my attention was the beloved palacsinta, also known as Hungarian pancakes.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Rest Time 1 day d 11 hours hrs
Total Time 1 day d 11 hours hrs 35 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Hungarian
Servings 10
Calories 100 kcal
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Plastic wrap
frying pan
Ladle
Spatula
Bowl for filling
Spoon or fork for mixing
For the pancake batter
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 whole egg
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- sunflower oil or Butter for cooking pancakes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2/3 cup sparkling water
For the cottage cheese filling
- 1 teaspoon vainlla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2/3 cup dry cottage cheese or ricotta
Others
- Apricot jam
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Step 1: Prepare the Pancake Batter
Start by cracking the eggs into a mixing bowl. Add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of sugar to the eggs.
Use a whisk to beat the eggs until they are smooth and well combined.
Gradually pour in the milk while continuing to whisk the eggs. Then, slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour into the mixture, ensuring there are no lumps.
Once the batter is smooth, gently pour in the sparkling water (or still water with baking soda) while stirring continuously until the batter reaches a thin, yoghurt-like consistency.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 5-10 minutes while you prepare the sweet cottage cheese filling.
Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Cottage Cheese Filling
In a separate bowl, separate an egg and reserve the yolk. Beat the egg yolk with sugar and vanilla extract until it becomes thick and creamy.
Take the dry cottage cheese (or ricotta) and mash it until it becomes soft and smooth in texture.
Combine the beaten egg yolk mixture, lemon zest, and sugar with the mashed cottage cheese. Stir well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated, creating a delicious sweet filling.
Step 3: Fry the Pancakes
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a small amount of sunflower oil or butter.
Once the pan is hot, pour a ladleful of pancake batter into the center of the pan and quickly tilt it in a circular motion to spread the batter evenly across the surface.
Cook the pancake for about a minute on one side, or until it turns golden brown and bubbles start to form on the surface.
Carefully flip the pancake over using a spatula and cook for an additional minute on the other side until it is cooked through and lightly browned.
Repeat the process with the remaining batter, adding more oil or butter to the pan as needed.
Step 4: Assemble the Pancakes
Once all the pancakes are cooked, place them on a clean plate or cutting board.
Spread each pancake with a layer of apricot jam or the prepared sweet cottage cheese filling.
Roll up the pancakes tightly and place them seam-side down on a serving platter.
Dust the rolled pancakes with powdered sugar for a decorative touch.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the Palacsinta Hungarian pancakes immediately while they are still warm, allowing guests to enjoy the delightful combination of flavors and textures.
These pancakes make a perfect breakfast or dessert option, and they’re sure to be a hit with family and friends alike!
- – Use a non-stick skillet to ensure that the pancakes cook evenly and do not stick to the pan.
- – Adjust the thickness of the batter by adding more milk if you prefer thinner pancakes or more flour for thicker pancakes.
- – For a richer filling, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream to the cottage cheese mixture.
- – Experiment with different fillings such as Nutella, fruit preserves, or cinnamon sugar for a unique twist on this classic recipe.
- – To save time, you can make the pancake batter and filling ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Keyword Palacsinta Hungarian Pancakes Recipe