For a while now I’ve been wanting to have a go at pancake art, and this week I finally did it.
Here’s my first attempt – a reindeer pancake. I think that perhaps calling it “art” is a bit generous, I doubt I’ll be winning the turner prize any time soon. Although judging by some of the previous winners maybe I’ll be in with a chance 🙂
OK, I’ll admit it, it’s not actually my first attempt, it was my third. Here’s the first…
Erm…… I’m not entirely sure what happened with this one. The parts I did first ended up lighter than the parts I did at the end – not what’s supposed to happen.
The positive thing is that if I can improve so much after three attempts then just think what’ll I’ll be drawing after a bit more practice.
If anyone has any suggestions for what I should try next, please challenge me in the comments.
Five lessons I learnt from my first attempt at pancake art
I’m definitely no expert and I need a lot more practice, but I’ve learnt a lot just from my first couple of attempts.
1) Make sure the pan is hot before you start
If it’s not you’ll end up with a strange inverted picture like I had in my first attempt.
2) Don’t touch the pan with the bottle.
I used small plastic icing bottles, which have a tiny nozzles and were perfect for drawing the outline. However, if you touch the pan with the top of the bottle (as I did) it cooks the batter at the end and clogs it.
3) Fill the large areas as quickly as possible
I used the icing bottle for the entire pancake. However, you can clearly see lines across the face showing where I squirted in the batter. In future I’d use a small jug for these areas so that they fill more quickly and you get a more even colour.
4) Wear long sleeves.
I completely underestimated how hot it would be holding my arm over the pan. By the time I’d finished the first pancake my entire forearm was bright red.
5) I can’t make videos
I thought it would be a great idea to make a video of my first attempt at pancake art to share with you all, but it wasn’t great.
I set up the camera to give a great view of the pan. Unfortunately pretty much all you can see throughout the entire video is my arm, and it isn’t even in focus.
My voice also sounded funny. I know that happens when you listen to yourself back, I have made plenty of home videos in the past and I’ve got used to what I sound like. This was different, oddly fake-posh like a bad audition for Downton Abbey. Something I’ll have to work on if I want to try again.
Fortunately I did have a few moments when I moved my fuzzy arm out of the way and you can see what I’m doing (I think I was trying to stop my arm burning too much!) and I managed to get these screen shots showing my progress.
If you’ve ever tried pancake art or you want to give it a go I’d love to see a picture of your attempts. You can tweet them to me at @Charlotte’s Lively KitchenUK
Pancake art – Five things I learnt from my first attempt has been linked to…
Fiver Feeds says
I’ve made similar pancakes recently, it was quite a fun
Charlotte Oates says
Do you have a picture? I’d love to see it. If you do, you can tweet me @myrecipebookuk
Stacey Guilliatt says
Wow, looks great! Not sure I have the ‘talent’ for it though, hehe 🙂 #tastytuesdays
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks. You should give it a go, you might be more talented than you think!
Howie says
Somehow it seems to be tough to find a good pan. Rarely I meet someone who is truly happy with his/her pan, haha.
I always use butter, but I have to admit my pancakes don’t always come out great 😉
Thx for the tips!
Charlotte Oates says
Frying pan happiness isn’t something I tend to talk about all that much. perhaps I should bring it up more often in conversation to see if I can find a great one 🙂
I usually use butter when I make regular pancakes, it was only for these that I switched.
Howie says
Wow the deer looks great! What kind of pan are you using? Do you add butter?
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Howie.
The pan is a Jamie Oliver by Tefal hard anodised frying pan. I’ve got a few different pans from that range but to be honest I’ve not been impressed with them as they haven’t worn well. If you need a large frying pan I’d suggest you get something different (I certainly wouldn’t buy another).
I used a thin coating of vegetable oil (spread with a bit of kitchen paper) instead of butter. Butter gives the pancakes a better flavour but it can burn which would have ruined the appearance of the reindeer.
Lucy Parissi says
So cute! Very festive and I think your steps give clear instructions without the need for a video (still trying to figure those out too). Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Lucy
Sarah (@tamingtwins) says
These are awesome!! Love the tips too. I find videoing anything by the stove really hard as it always seems to be an odd angle and always looks a funny colour in my house as there’s no decent light there. There must be some trick to it?! Thanks for linking these to #festivefoodfriday 🙂
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks,
I don’t think my light is too bad, I just had a complete lack of forethought when it came to camera position. I’m going to try and record my next attempt so fingers crossed it’ll go a bit better.
Coombemill says
Genius! I’m not surprised it took a few goes, but such a fun result. #Tastytuesday
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks, I’m hoping to get it right first time next time I try it.
Yet Another Blogging Mummy!!! says
how clever, i’ve only ever done standard round(ish) pancakes #TastyTuesdays
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks, until last week that’s all I’d ever made too.
Ciara (My Fussy Eater) says
These look brilliant!
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks Ciara
Hayley @ Snap Happy Bakes says
Wow these are so clever! Well done you! Even your first attempt is better than what I could achieve! Art was never my thing! Although pancakes are 😉 #tastytuesday
Charlotte Oates says
Thank you.
If I had the time I’d eat pancakes every day (always in a rush in the morning so it doesn’t happen). What’s you favourite pancake/topping?
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I love these! I am not so sure that mine would be as successful, but I am going to attempt them on Christmas morning.
Charlotte Oates says
Thanks, make sure you send me a picture.
Mel says
It looks brilliant! I would never have thought of doing anything like it. Great tips, there, too. I am rubbish at making videos. In fact, I have never tried filming anything other than the kids doing something cute or silly. We could go to a class together!
Charlotte Oates says
Sounds fun, although I really need to sort out my still photography first before I branch out onto anything moving!!
Do you go along to any of the blogger events? It would be lovely to say hi if we’re ever in the same place 🙂
Honest mum says
These are amazing chick, thanks for all the tips, want to make these now x
Charlotte Oates says
You should give it a go, it’s fun. I’m definitely going to do it again.