We’ve had some recipes from some well-known chefs, but none of them as famous as this one – Queen Elizabeth II. This recipe is said to have been sent by The Queen to President Eisenhower around 1960. It’s for a type of small pancake made all over the world and often known as a ‘drop scone’ or ‘Scotch pancake’ – very similar to American breakfast pancakes. They’re a nice little item to get the kids to help with, under supervision, and you can enjoy them with butter, jam or maple syrup.
Photograph: Lisa Linder © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2020
Ingredients
- 1 free-range egg
- 2 tablespoons unrefined caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted
- 250ml full-fat milk
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 240g plain flour
- 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1.5 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 100g clarified unsalted butter
Equipment: Pancake griddle or non-stick frying pan
See also: The Queen’s Tea Bread Recipe
Method
- In a mixing bowl sieve together the dry ingredients: flour, bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar and sugar. Add to this the milk and egg and whisk to a smooth batter, finally adding the warm melted butter.
- Pass through a sieve to get rid of any lumps and if necessary thin with more milk. The batter should have a dropping consistency, but remain thick enough to retain its shape on the griddle.
- Heat the griddle (or frying pan) over a medium heat and grease with clarified butter. Using a dessert spoon or small ladle, carefully pour spoonfuls of the batter on to the griddle. After one side has cooked, flip the scones with a palette knife to cook the other.
- Once you feel more confident you can cook a few scones at a time, being careful not to let them over-cook on either side.
Have your butler serve them warm with butter and home-made preserves.
