Pancakes vary widely by country, from fluffy American stacks to thin French crepes. With Pancake Day underway, a hands-on taste test compared five supermarket varieties—American buttermilk, British sweet, Scotch, Dutch-style, and chocolate-hazelnut crepes—using consistent toppings of maple syrup, whipped cream, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. The evaluation focused on flavor, texture, and satisfaction, conducted alongside a 14-year-old niece and 7-year-old nephew.
Poll Results from Followers
A survey of 170 Instagram followers revealed strong preferences: 38% favored crepes, 31% American pancakes, 23% British pancakes, 8% Dutch pancakes, and none for Scotch pancakes.
5. Dutch-Style Pancakes (4/10)
Dutch pannenkoeken fill an entire pan, thicker than crepes, made with flour, eggs, milk, and sugar. A friend raised in the Netherlands noted locals enjoy them hot with cherries and whipped cream or cheese. These offered a richer, buttery, eggy taste with a bready flavor and chewy texture. However, a slight bitterness and off-putting chewiness earned low marks from all tasters, landing a 4/10.
4. British Sweet Pancakes (5/10)
British pancakes resemble crepes but are smaller and slightly thicker, lacking a raising agent for a flatter profile. Tradition calls for lemon juice and sugar, though this pairing proved too tart. Even with syrup, the light, sweet, eggy neutrality fell flat, with texture not impressing over fluffier options. Score: 5/10.
3. Scotch Pancakes (7/10)
These mildly sweet, buttery bites mimic smaller, softer American pancakes, ideal hot with syrup and fruit or savory pairings like sausage. Adults appreciated them, but the younger tasters found them bland compared to sweeter, fluffier rivals. Still, they earned a solid 7/10.
2. French Crepes (8/10)
Originating in 13th-century France, crepes use eggs, milk, flour, and butter—no sugar in classic recipes for versatile sweet or savory fillings. Plain versions are scarce in stores, so chocolate-hazelnut ones were tested. Light and airy, they shone with toppings but sometimes got overshadowed. The chocolate variety delighted most, especially the youngest taster, securing an 8/10 and poll favoritism.
1. American Buttermilk Pancakes (10/10)
Fluffy, sweet, light, and moist, American pancakes dominate with versatile appeal. Evolving in the 1700s for quick stovetop cooking, a basic recipe features 225g flour, 2½ tsp baking powder, 1 tsp sugar, pinch of salt, 2 eggs, 30g butter, 300ml milk, and frying butter. Pair with syrup, cream, fruit, bacon, or sausage for perfection. Unbeatable at 10/10.
