Amazingly Delicious Crêpe Suzette

Here we go again – our second nod to National Crêpe Suzette Day. We haven’t whipped up this yummy French favorite since 2019. You would have thought during the massively insane lockdowns of 2020, we would have been trying all sorts of Crêpe things.

While this truly is a dessert, for convenience sake and just the way it fit into our hectic spring schedule, I served them up for breakfast. And I picked the perfect day, too. While we’re talking Crêpe Suzettes on Crêpe Suzette Day (no dah!), my family enjoyed them for breakfast on National Orange Juice Day. Kiddo was 100% behind the idea of having ice cream as a part of his morning. We also had Orange Julius at the end of the day, so it was all about oranges in our house.

Now according to the powers that be, for National Crêpe Suzette Day, we are to run, not walk, to our neighborhood French Restaurant and order Crêpe Suzettes. I guess they are assuming that we all live in France or at the very least that we live in a city large enough to warrant a French Restaurant. The closest we have in our neck of the woods is the restaurant chain, Mimi’s Café. We have some Bible Study buddies that love Mimi’s, so I thought I’d check their menu. The only Crêpe they offer is a breakfast Ham and Swiss. I’m not even sure how authentically French that is.

So as nice as it might be to have someone else do all the Crêpe-work, looks like we are on our own once more. That’s okay. All part of the joys of puttering in my kitchen, surrounded by my guys. It is another reminder of just how truly blessed my life has been.

Note: This recipe will make about 12 Crêpes. Just keep any unused batter in the fridge. I’ll be making Crêpes stuffed with sweet, ripe strawberries from the farmer’s market later in the week, that’s for sure.

French Crêpe Suzette
French Crêpes
1 Orange, for juice and zest
2 tablespoons Butter
1 cup Flour
1/2 cup Whole Milk
7 tablespoons Water
2 large Eggs
1/4 teaspoons Salt
Additional Butter as needed for pan

Zest 1-1/2 teaspoons from the orange, set aside until ready to use. Cut orange in half, squeeze 2 teaspoons fresh juice, set aside. Melt butter either in the microwave in a small bowl or in a small pan on top of the stove. Allow butter to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, vigorously whisk the flour, milk, water, eggs and melted butter. Add orange juice, orange zest and salt. Continue to whisk until the batter is completely smooth. Place batter in the refrigerator to rest for at lease 20 minutes before making the Crêpes.

Use a little butter to grease a Crêpe Pan or large skillet. Heat over medium-low heat. Swirl the pan to coat bottom with butter as it melts.

Add about 3 tablespoons of batter to the prepared pan. Swirl until the bottom of the pan is covered with a paper-thin layer of batter. Cook the Crêpe for about a minute, or until the Crêpe is slightly moist on top; golden underneath.

Loosen the edges of the Crêpe, then slide a spatula under it, gently flip. Cook for 1 minutes longer, transfer cooked Crêpe to a plate to keep warm. Repeat the process with remaining batter, lightly butter the ban with a bit of melted butter each time. Set Crêpes aside.

They don’t need to be perfect – mine never are – so long as they taste good.

Orange Syrup
16 tablespoons (1 cup) Butter
4 tablespoons Sugar, divided
4 oz Grand Marnier, divided

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 8 tablespoons of butter until foamy. Remove skillet from heat, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Carefully add half of the Grand Marnier. The mixture should ignite.

Once the fame goes out, add Crêpes to the pan, one at a time, and coat both sides with the orange syrup. Fold Crêpes into quarters, place on a plate.

Melt the remaining butter in the same skillet, add remaining sugar and Grand Marnier. Allow flame to go out.

For Serving
1 pint good-quality French Vanilla Ice Cream

To serve, place 2 Crêpes per person on individual plates. Top with a scoop of ice cream, then drizzle with orange syrup. Serve immediately and enjoy.

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Sing to the Lord a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.