Clătite (Romanian Crepes with Jam)
In short: Thin, tender crepes rolled around jam and dusted with powdered sugar, the Romanian dessert and breakfast treat everyone grows up on. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 5 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 5
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 515 kcal
Clătite are the thin crepes every Romanian child knows, served for breakfast, as dessert or as an after-school treat. The batter takes a minute to whisk, but it needs a short rest so the crepes come out tender and lacy. Fill them with apricot or plum jam, roll them up, dust them with powdered sugar and eat them warm.
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, salt and vanilla in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in the flour until the batter is smooth, then stir in the 2 tbsp oil.
- Cover and rest the batter for 30 minutes. It should pour like thin cream, so add a splash of milk if it is thicker.
- Heat a 20 to 22 cm (8 to 9 in) nonstick skillet over medium heat and brush it lightly with oil. Pour in about 60 ml (1/4 cup) of batter and tilt the pan so it spreads thin.
- Cook for about 1 1/2 minutes, until the edges are golden and lift easily, then flip and cook for 30 seconds more. Slide onto a plate and cover to keep warm. Repeat, oiling the pan lightly every 2 or 3 crepes.
- Spread each crepe with a spoonful of jam, then roll it up or fold it into quarters.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.
Tips
- For a sweet cheese filling, mix 250 g (9 oz) farmer's cheese with 1 egg yolk, 3 tbsp sugar and a handful of raisins. Fill, roll, and warm in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 10 minutes.
- Stack leftover crepes with baking paper between them. They keep for 2 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.
Questions and answers
Why does crepe batter need to rest?
Resting lets the flour absorb the liquid and the gluten relax. The crepes then turn out tender and are less likely to tear when flipped.
Can I make clătite ahead of time?
Yes. Cook the crepes, stack them with baking paper between layers and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Fill and warm them in a low oven or a dry skillet.
What can I fill clătite with besides jam?
Romanians also use sweet cheese with raisins, hazelnut cocoa spread, honey with walnuts, or sautéed apples. Savory versions with ham and cheese are common too.
How long does it take to make Clătite (Romanian Crepes with Jam)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Clătite (Romanian Crepes with Jam)?
About 515 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 84 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 515 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 84 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 46 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
