Pancake Day

Why Is Today Called Pancake Day?

What Is Pancake Day? Pancake Day is also called Shrove Tuesday. It is over 1000 years old! It is celebrated on the Tuesday before Lent begins. Lent is an important time for Christians. It is a time when people are getting ready for Easter and thinking about becoming better people. Some Christians give up luxuries and ‘rich’ food, like chocolate and cakes. In the past, people gave up food like eggs and butter. The day before Lent began they would use up all these foods by making pancakes. That is why people eat pancakes on Pancake Day!

What Are Pancakes Made From? Pancakes are made from batter. The batter is made using flour, eggs, milk, salt, water and butter. We mix all these ingredients together until they make a white liquid. Then we put the batter in a frying pan with some butter or oil and fry it. When the pancake is cooked, we serve it with our favourite toppings, like lemon juice and sugar. What is your favourite topping?

Shrove Tuesday Around the United Kingdom Pancake Day is celebrated in many different countries around the world. In the UK, there are many different traditions. Let’s find out how people celebrate...

Northern Ireland In the past, pancakes were cooked over a fire, which families and friends would gather around to enjoy the food. The eldest unmarried daughter of the family would toss the first pancake. It was thought that if she tossed it and it landed back in the pan then she would be married that year; but if it didn't turn over when tossed, or she dropped it, she would stay single.

Scotland Scottish pancakes are much smaller and thicker than the traditional pancakes that are usually made in England. In some parts of Scotland they are called ‘drop scones’ or ‘dropped scones’. Photo courtesy of Ruth and Dave - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Wales In some parts of Wales, on the evening before Shrove Tuesday, tin cans were kicked up and down the streets. It is thought that this was to remember the task of putting away all the pots, pans and utensils used to make the tastier food that was not allowed to be eaten during the period of Lent. Crempogs, also known as Ffroes, are thicker than the English pancake usually eaten on Pancake Day. Traditionally they were cooked on a cast iron bake stone, griddle or ‘planc’.

Pancake Races Across the United Kingdom, pancake races have often been part of the celebrations. People run (often dressed in costumes or fancy dress) whilst tossing a cooked pancake in a frying pan at the same time. The first person to cross the finish line is the winner! winner

England One of the most famous pancake races takes place in Olney in Buckinghamshire, England. According to tradition, in 1445 a woman living in Olney heard the church bell while she was making pancakes. Not wanting to be late for the service, she ran to the church in her apron, still holding her frying pan! Today, women who live in Olney take part in the race, wearing an apron and a hat or scarf and of course carrying a pan containing a pancake. They must flip their pancakes three times during the race. The first person to cross the finish line at the church and receive a kiss from the verger wins the race!

Photo courtesy of robinmyerscough - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Sharing What do you do on Pancake Day?

Fun Facts Did you know…? About 52 million eggs are used in Britain on Pancake Day! The biggest pancake in the world measured over 15 metres long and weighed over 3000 kg! The largest number of pancake flips in the shortest amount of time is 349 flips in two minutes!