Introducing the best IHOP Crepes Copycat Recipe: Indulge in the delectable flavors of IHOP crepes right in the comfort of your own home with this easy-to-follow copycat recipe.
These thin, golden crepes are light, tender, and bursting with flavor. Drizzled with tangy lingonberry jam and luscious lingonberry butter, they offer a delightful balance of sweetness and tartness.
Whether you’re looking to recreate a beloved restaurant experience or simply craving a delicious breakfast or brunch treat, this copycat recipe captures the essence of IHOP’s signature crepes, allowing you to enjoy them at any time.
Jump to:
Get ready to impress your taste buds with this homemade delight that will leave you wanting more.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Delicious and Authentic Flavor: People will love this copycat recipe for IHOP crepes because it captures the delicious and authentic flavor of the original dish. The combination of whole milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract creates a rich and flavorful batter. The crepes themselves are light, thin, and perfectly golden, providing a delicate texture that complements the sweet and tangy lingonberry topping.
- Versatile and Customizable: This recipe allows for versatility and customization to suit individual preferences. While the lingonberry jam and lingonberry butter are traditional toppings, people can easily switch them out for other fruit jams, spreads, or even fresh fruits, depending on their taste. The crepes can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as Nutella, whipped cream, or sliced bananas, making them adaptable to different flavor combinations and personal preferences.
- Easy and Accessible: Another reason why people will love this recipe is its simplicity and accessibility. The ingredients used are commonly found in most kitchens, and the steps are easy to follow, even for beginner cooks. The batter can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, allowing for convenient meal planning. Whether it’s for a cozy weekend breakfast or a special brunch gathering, this recipe provides a homemade alternative to IHOP crepes that anyone can enjoy without the need to dine out.
What ingredients you need to make IHOP crepes
- Whole Milk: Whole milk is a dairy product that contains all the natural components of milk, including the cream. It adds richness and moisture to the crepe batter, resulting in a tender texture.
- Eggs: Eggs are a staple ingredient in baking and cooking. They provide structure and help bind the ingredients together. In this recipe, eggs contribute to the texture and richness of the crepes.
- Salted Butter (or unsalted butter + pinch of salt): Butter adds flavor and richness to the crepe batter. Salted butter provides a subtle salty taste, while unsalted butter allows for more control over the salt content by adding a pinch separately.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is a flavoring agent derived from vanilla beans. It adds a pleasant and aromatic vanilla flavor to the crepes, enhancing their taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour is a versatile type of flour that is commonly used in baking. It contains a moderate amount of protein, which helps provide structure to the crepes while keeping them tender.
- Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar, also known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, is a finely ground sugar with added cornstarch. It adds sweetness to the crepe batter and also helps to create a smooth texture.
- Lingonberry Jam: Lingonberry jam is a sweet and tart fruit preserve made from lingonberries. It is a traditional Scandinavian ingredient that adds a tangy and fruity flavor to the crepes.
- Butter (for topping): Butter is used to make the lingonberry butter topping. It adds richness and creaminess to the mixture and complements the flavors of the crepes and lingonberry jam.
- Powdered Sugar (for dusting): Powdered sugar is used to dust the crepes before serving. It adds a touch of sweetness and creates an attractive appearance.
These ingredients come together to create a delicious and flavorful copycat version of IHOP crepes.
Customizations and substitutions
Here are some customizations and substitutions you can make with the IHOP crepes recipe:
Topping Variations:
- Fruit Toppings: Instead of lingonberry jam, you can use other fruit jams or preserves such as strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, or mixed berry.
- Fresh Fruits: Sliced fresh fruits like strawberries, bananas, peaches, or mixed berries can be used as toppings, either alone or combined with fruit jams.
- Chocolate and Nut Spreads: Spread Nutella, chocolate ganache, peanut butter, or almond butter on the crepes for a rich and indulgent flavor.
Filling Ideas:
- Whipped Cream: Pipe or spread whipped cream on the crepes before rolling them up for a creamy and light filling.
- Cream Cheese: Add a layer of cream cheese on the crepes and top it with your favorite fruit preserves or fresh fruits for a tangy and creamy combination.
- Nut Fillings: Sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans on the crepes before rolling them up for added crunch and flavor.
Flour Substitutions:
- Whole Wheat Flour: Replace a portion or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier and heartier crepe texture.
- Gluten-Free Flour: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten intolerance or sensitivity.
Milk Substitutions:
- Plant-Based Milk: Substitute whole milk with your preferred plant-based milk like almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk for a dairy-free option.
- Buttermilk: Use buttermilk instead of whole milk for a tangier and slightly richer flavor.
Butter Substitutions:
- Vegetable Oil: Replace melted butter with an equal amount of vegetable oil for a lighter and dairy-free option.
- Coconut Oil: Use melted coconut oil as a substitute for butter to add a subtle coconut flavor to the crepes.
Flavor Enhancements:
- Citrus Zest: Add the zest of lemon, orange, or lime to the crepe batter for a refreshing and citrusy twist.
- Spices: Incorporate spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the batter for a warm and aromatic flavor.
Remember, these customizations and substitutions can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations to make the crepes uniquely yours!
How to refrigerate, freeze and thaw
Certainly! Here’s how you can refrigerate, freeze, and thaw the crepes:
Refrigerating:
- Once you have prepared the crepe batter according to the recipe, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container.
- Place the covered batter in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour, or you can leave it overnight if preferred.
- When ready to cook the crepes, take the batter out of the refrigerator and give it a quick whisk to ensure it is well mixed.
Freezing:
- Cook the crepes according to the recipe until they are fully cooked and golden brown.
- Allow the cooked crepes to cool completely at room temperature.
- Stack the cooled crepes, placing a small piece of parchment paper between each crepe to prevent sticking.
- Wrap the stack of crepes tightly with plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible.
- Label the package with the date and place it in the freezer.
Thawing:
- To thaw frozen crepes, remove them from the freezer and transfer the desired number of crepes to the refrigerator.
- Allow the crepes to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or for several hours until completely thawed.
- Once thawed, the crepes can be gently reheated in a microwave, a low-heat oven, or on a stovetop skillet for a brief amount of time until warmed through.
- Alternatively, you can enjoy the thawed crepes at room temperature, as they are already cooked and ready to eat.
Note: It’s important to store the crepes properly in an airtight container or freezer-safe packaging to prevent freezer burn or absorption of odors from other foods in the freezer. Properly stored, the crepes can be refrigerated for 2-3 days and frozen for up to 2-3 months.
IHOP Crepes: Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- 3 eggs
- 4 tablespoon salted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoon powdered sugar
- Topping
- 3/4 cup lingonberry jam
- 1/4 cup butter
- Strawberries and chocolate syrup
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Combine the wet ingredients: In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together the milk, eggs, cooled melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Mix the crepe batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and powdered sugar until evenly combined. Gradually pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture, whisking continuously until you have a smooth and lump-free batter.
- Rest the batter: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the batter for 30 minutes to an hour, or you can refrigerate it overnight for even better flavor development.
- Preheat the pan: Heat a crepe pan or non-stick frying pan over medium heat on the stovetop for about a minute. Lightly grease the pan with butter, removing any excess with a paper towel.
- Cook the crepes: Take the batter out of the refrigerator and give it a quick whisk to ensure it’s well mixed. Pour approximately 1/3 cup of batter into the pan, swirling it around to evenly cover the bottom. Cook until the edges begin to curl and the underside turns golden brown, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the crepe and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the cooked crepe to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining batter, greasing the pan with more butter as needed.
- Keep the crepes warm: Stack the cooked crepes on top of each other and cover the stack with tin foil to keep them warm and soft while you continue cooking the remaining crepes.
- Make the lingonberry butter: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons of lingonberry jam and 1/4 cup of softened butter until smooth. If the mixture is too tart, you can sweeten it by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar.
- Serve: Arrange 3 crepes on a plate. Dust them with powdered sugar and garnish with 2 tablespoons of lingonberry jam and 2 tablespoons of lingonberry butter. Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious homemade IHOP-style crepes!
Leave a Reply