Recipes

Quatre Épices Crêpes

Serves 4

| Prep Time: 5 min

| Cook Time: 15 min

| Total Time: 20 mins

You may need: Quatre Epices

Discover The Recipe

The allure of crepes is their delicate texture and their refined sweet (or savory) flavors. These thin, lacy pancakes have been a staple of French cuisine for centuries, their origins tracing back to the picturesque streets of Brittany. A beloved culinary tradition, crepes have captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide with their versatility and timeless elegance. In this Quatre Épices Crêpes recipe, our chefs have concocted a tantalizing twist on the classic. The star of the show is the French spice blend “Quatre Épices”. This enchanting spice blend, literally translating to "four spices," is a cornerstone of French gastronomy. Originating from the medieval spice trade, when exotic flavors began to tickle the palates of Europe. The traditional blend typically includes a harmonious quartet of ground white peppercorns, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger, but our chefs add a kiss of cinnamon. The result is a medley that strikes a balance between warmth, depth, and a gentle kick of spice.

Incorporating Quatre Épices into your crepes delivers a unique and exquisite sweet and warming savory flavor. Fragrant aroma wafts through your kitchen as you delicately cook batter on a hot griddle. The spices infuse each crepe with a subtle complexity, and Quatre Épices Crêpes are perfect for breakfast or dinner. So, my friends, don your aprons, dust off your spatulas, and prepare to savor the magic of Quatre Épices Crêpes, where tradition and innovation intertwine in a dance of flavors.

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups whole milk, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup all purpose flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1.5 tsp Piquant Post Quatre Epices
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled (still liquid)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold
½ cup strawberries, sliced, optional
Powdered sugar, optional
Berry preserves or jam, optional

Notes

Prefer to make these savory crepes? Omit the sugar, berries and powdered sugar. Cook up some eggs and ham to serve alongside crepes.

Optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them.

Instructions

Combine milk, eggs, flour, sugar, Piquant Post Quatre Epices spice, and melted and cooled butter in a blender. Blend until well combined.

Heat a medium skillet over Med-High heat. Add a pat of cold butter to the pan. Pour about a quarter cup of the mixture into the pan and immediately lift and tilt the pan to swirl into a thin round layer. Cook until the top is set and bottom is golden, about 30-40 seconds.

Shake the crepe loose and carefully flip. Cook for an additional 15 seconds. Using a spatula, fold the crepe into quarters. Repeat with remaining batter (makes about 10 crepes)

Serve warm with strawberries and powdered sugar.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Quatre Épices is tremendously versatile; you can use the spice in savory or sweet dishes. Try using it in soups and stews, add a pinch to salad dressing, or use it in baked goods.
Try our authentic French Coq Au Vin (chicken in red wine) recipe or try our similar, French-inspire Beef Stew in Red Wine recipe.
Looking for more ideas of how to use Quatre Épices? Try our delicious Quatre Epices Bundt Cake, or our classic French Apple Tart.
If you love a good French pate, try making your own French country pate and spice it with Quatre Épices!
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