Palačinke (Serbian Thin Pancakes)
Local name: палачинке
In short: Paper-thin pancakes made with milk and sparkling water, spread with apricot jam, ground walnuts or hazelnut cocoa spread and rolled up. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 420 kcal
Palačinke are thin pancakes, closer to crêpes than to the thick kind, and Serbians eat them for breakfast, dessert and at children's birthday parties. A splash of sparkling water makes the batter light and lacy. The usual fillings are apricot jam, ground walnuts with sugar, or a hazelnut cocoa spread, and the pancakes are rolled or folded into quarters. Make a tall stack, because they go fast.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, sugar and salt in a bowl. Add the eggs and half the milk and whisk to a smooth, thick paste with no lumps.
- Whisk in the rest of the milk, the sparkling water and the oil. The batter should be as thin as single cream. Rest it for 30 minutes.
- Heat a 22 to 24 cm (9 in) nonstick pan over medium heat and brush it lightly with oil.
- Pour in about 80 ml (1/3 cup) of batter and tilt the pan so it spreads into a thin round. Cook for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until the edges lift and the underside is golden, then flip and cook for 30 seconds.
- Slide the pancake onto a plate and repeat, brushing the pan with oil every two or three pancakes.
- Spread each warm pancake with a thin layer of filling, then roll it up or fold it into quarters. Dust with icing sugar and serve right away.
Tips
- If the first pancake tears or turns out thick, adjust: add a splash of milk to a thick batter, or lower the heat if the pan is smoking.
- Make the pancakes ahead and stack them with baking paper between. They keep for 2 days in the fridge, and you can fill and warm them in a pan.
Questions and answers
Can I make palačinke without sparkling water?
Yes. Use extra milk or still water. Sparkling water gives a slightly lighter, lacier pancake, but the result is good either way.
How do I stop palačinke from sticking?
Use a nonstick or well-seasoned pan, heat it before the first pancake and brush with a very thin film of oil every few pancakes.
What are the most popular palačinke fillings?
Apricot jam, ground walnuts with sugar, and hazelnut cocoa spread. Savory versions with white cheese are common too.
How long does it take to make Palačinke (Serbian Thin Pancakes)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Palačinke (Serbian Thin Pancakes)?
About 420 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 56 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 420 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 56 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Sodium | 120 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
