Crepes for two

This post is part of the Vocal Cooks Collaborative!

Baking dessert is unlike anything else. It's about putting life on pause, just for a moment, forget about the stress of the 9-5 job and dedicate time to yourself. Whatever may be going in your day-to-day life, if you feel like it's too much weight to bare, catching up to you, about to rise and spill, or spiraling out of control, stop, and take a breather. Head over to the kitchen, put on your apron, and let go of everything else. Focus on the moment. Measure—slowly, carefully. Mix—softly, seamlessly. Watch it rise in the oven, like a miracle, one you gave life to. Sneak a taste, perhaps before it's fully done, enjoy. When you're baking, you're in control.

It probably goes without saying, but there's something strangely intimate about making crepes for two. Similar to sharing a spoon, or a straw. Similar to two people huddling under one umbrella, or a scarf loosely wrapped around two necks. Creating something beautiful, something delicate, is more therapeutic than one might be inclined to think. Crepes are the representation of balance, of something singing in perfect harmony, and this is why I believe they are best enjoyed together.

People often think crepes are tricky—either they're too thin and they break, of they're too thick and taste doughy. People go for pancakes instead, rich, fluffy, harder to mess up. At the cost of quoting the our lord and savior Dwight Shrute, to that I say: false. I promise you, crepes are as easy, if not easier, to make, and oh so rewarding.

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This recipe should yield four thin crepes of the traditional size. Preparation time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 10 minutes.

Here's everything you'll need:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• dash of salt

• 1 cup 2% milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

First, melt the butter, letting it cool down to room temperature while letting the milk warm up to room temperature. The goal is to make sure the butter isn't too warm, or the milk too cold, when one is poured into the other, to avoid the butter solidifying and creating lumps in the mixture.

Whisk the wet ingredients together, adding the butter last. In a separate, medium sized bowl, mix the dry ingredients together, making sure to sift both for the flour and sugar. Finally, pour the wet mixture into the medium bowl, stirring until the dry ingredients are incorporated and the batter is completely smooth. We are aiming for a very light, very thin and pretty much runny batter to get the ideal texture.

Ideally, use one of these bad boys to cook your crepes 🡇

Pop a non-stick pan on the stove, cranking up the heat to medium-low. Once warmed up to the desired temperature, simply pour the batter directly onto the pan, about the size of a grapefruit, and tilt the pan in circles until covered. Carefully flip the crepe when you notice the edges beginning to turn a golden brown color.

Stack the crepes in a pile to share or fold them into four—either way, the ways to enjoy them are endless.

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Now that your crepes are ready, thin, crisp, with a golden glow, it's time to dress them up.

Because that may very well be the best part of it all: choosing what to enjoy them with.

Traditional? Pour some maple syrup and crumble a handful of brown sugar-coated walnuts on top. Or almonds. Really, whatever floats your boat.

Decadent? Melt a dark chocolate bar, cut up a pear, hell, even poach it if you're feeling fancy.

Romantic? Spread milk chocolate all over, and place slices of fresh strawberries as edible decorations on your work of art.

Breakfast? Why not grab a mason jar of raspberry jam, and add as many spoonful as you'd like—along with a steaming cup of brewed coffee, of course.

Not a sweet tooth? Well, you're in luck—crepes are equally as delicious with salty toppings, believe you me. Cheese, tomatoes and spinach. Mushrooms and béchamel. Bacon and caramelized onions. The options are endless, simply waiting for you to explore them.

Now, I believe you're all out of excuses.

So grab a pan, and try your hand at this crepes for two recipe. I promise you won't regret it.

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Click here to view the index of all the wonderful recipes in the Vocal Cooks Collaborative!

Previous works include...

ꕥ An Irish Soda Bread to Remember by the brilliant Colleen Sincavage

ꕥ Déjà Vu All Over Again! by the amazing The Creative Chimera