PANCAKE

GRANDMA

Aune

COUNTRY

Finland

ORIGIN

Finland

INGREDIENTS

• 7 dl cold milk
• 3,5 dl wheat flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 50 g melted butter/margarine
• 4 eggs

HISTORY

Pancakes are well-known around the world. Varying in shape and size, they are baked in the oven or in a frying pan. In Finland, pannukakku is baked as a solid disc on a baking tray, then cut into square pieces and served with jam or berries and whipped cream. Milk, eggs, wheat flour, some salt and butter are typical pancake ingredients. Different areas of Finland have their own variations, incorporating semolina, barley flour or boiled potato. In the old days, semolina pancake, alongside a shot of alcohol, was served on festive occasions in the Åland islands and the Turku archipelago. Pancake is usually served as a dessert, traditionally with pea soup. Serving pea soup on Thursdays is based on a Christian tradition. In the Catholic era, Friday was a fasting day, requiring a hearty meal on the previous day. The tradition originates from the period of Swedish rule. The Finnish army still serves pea soup on Thursdays. Pancakes became a common dessert after pea soup only in the early 20th century. In the 19th century, pancake ingredients were still expensive delicacies.