Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (2024)

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Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (1)

Hungarian pancakes are thin crepes, rolled up and sprinkled with powdered sugar. There are several things you can fill the palacsinta with, like apricot, strawberry or blueberry jam, vanilla or chocolate pudding, apple sauce with cinnamon, ground walnut, or cocoa powder. It is a really easy to make recipe, a quick dessert which is done in 30 minutes and tastes great.

This kind of pancake is very popular in Hungary. Its origin is not clear, most probably it developed from the roman plazenta, a small round cake that was eaten instead of bread. Hungarian pancakes are thin, similar to French crepes, and totally unlike American hot cakes or griddle cakes. Plus, they are not typically eaten for breakfast.

Hungarian cottage cheese is a fresh, soft curd cheese, similar to farmer’s cheese or quark, dry and not liquidy at all. It is most often made with cow milk.

How to make a Hungarian pancake batter?

It’s very easy to make, all you need are 6 basic ingredients, a mixing bowl, a whisk, and a non-stick crepe pan.
The pan you use makes a big difference in how the pancake will fry and how thin you can spread the batter. You must use a non-stick pan for best results.

It might work in a regular pan, but if the bottom of your pan is too thin, the middle of the pancake will burn and the edges will be still uncooked.

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Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (2)

Hungarian pancakes - Palacsinta

Hungarian pancakes are thin crepes, rolled up and sprinkled with powdered sugar. It is a really easy to make recipe, a quick dessert which is done in 30 minutes and tastes great.

5 from 3 votes

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Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Hungarian

Servings 10 pancakes

Ingredients

For the pancake batter

  • 2 whole egg
  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk
  • 2/3 cup sparkling water
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • oil for frying - I use sunflower oil

For the cottage cheese filling

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2/3 cup dry cottage cheese or ricotta
  • 1/2 lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vainlla extract
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Others

  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Apricot jam

Instructions

  • Break the egg, add a pinch of salt and one teaspoon of sugar and beat until smooth.

  • Add some milk and some flour and mix well. I always add the ingredients gradually to avoid lumps.

  • When it is smooth, add the remaining flour, milk, and sparkling water. You can use still water with half a coffee-spoon baking soda.

  • The ideal pancake batter consistency is when the batter is not too runny and yet, not too stiff. It is like a thin yoghurt drink.

  • Put the pancake batter in the fridge for 5-10 minutes; meanwhile, make the sweet cottage cheese filling.

  • Separate an egg, you need only the yolk for this recipe. Beat the yolk with the sugar and vanilla until thick.

  • Put the cottage cheese in a bowl. Mash the cheese very well until it becomes absolutely soft. Now add the egg yolk and sugar mixture and the zest from half a lemon. Mix all the ingredients very nicely until the mixture reaches a uniform consistency.

    Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (4)

  • Fry the pancakes: Set a frying pan over medium heat. Add a few drops of vegetable oil. When it is hot, pour some pancake batter into the frying pan. Tilt the pan so that the batter coats the surface of the pan evenly. This should be a very thin coat. If you have holes, fill them with some batter. Always stir the mixture before pouring it into the hot pan, or the flour might settle. Fry the underside of the pancake for approximately 1 minute or until golden brown. You can loosen it with the spatula. Check the underside to be sure it has browned.

  • Flip the pancake to fry the topside as well. The pancake is done when both sides are a light brown.

  • Spread each pancake with jam or cottage cheese and roll up. Sprinkle with icing sugar. Serve immediately.

    Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (5)

Keyword crepe, Hungarian pancakes, palacsinta

culinaryhungary2023-11-29T09:42:34+01:00

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20 Comments

  1. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (7)

    Mindy Solt2018-03-26 at 20:40 - Reply

    Mom taught us how to make these as a kid. I still have a photo of myself standing on a big stock pot (so I was tall enough to see over the top of the stove), with spatula in hand waiting to flip the Palacsinta. And 50 years later they are still a favorite. Only Moms recipe uses veg. Oil instead of soda water in the batter.

  2. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (8)

    Angie2018-07-17 at 03:57 - Reply

    My mom always made these and they were a favorite for us kids. She also taught me how to cook these Hungarian crepes so she would not have to cook them since they took so long to cook. She also topped them with sour creme and baked them for about 15 minutes after all the mix contains a raw egg yolk. We sprinkled them with sugar after they were done baking.

  3. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (9)

    Tina2018-08-18 at 08:53 - Reply

    My Mum is Dutch but made these every Friday. We are them sprinkled with sugar.

  4. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (10)

    Shirley Banhegyi2018-10-20 at 02:46 - Reply

    Hungarian father in law schooled at Budapest chef school. Was an amazing baker at 80 y/o. Still trying to discover recipes for apple slices. Base was not just flour. Used raisins

  5. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (11)

    Caroline Robertson2019-05-03 at 16:28 - Reply

    I so miss The Gay Hussar restaurant, an historic fixture on the London restaurant scene for over 50 years. That’s where I first tasted sweet cheese panckes and it was love at first bite! Thanks for the recipe; I shall have a go, although I’m sure it will not be the same as the chef’s rendition at The Gay Hussar. More Hungarian restaurants please.

  6. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (12)

    Andrew Lovasi2019-09-15 at 17:39 - Reply

    Thanks for reminding me. I will have to make some again. What I use to do as my mother showed me was to create a palacsinta cake. Layers on top of each other alternating cottage cheese, 2 different jams, chocolate cream (homemade) and the yoke of eggs beat and placed on top then put into oven.

    • Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (13)

      Veronica Voda2023-04-22 at 01:19 - Reply

      Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (14)
      Our Favorite pancakes as kids…
      Now I’d like to finally introduce my daughter to making them with me in the kitchen……and passing down the recipe for future generations.
      My Nana could not make them fast enough as we ate em One by One right outta the pan!
      Special memories
      Right along with “nuckedle”? (Spaetzle)
      being everyone’s Favorite “Noodle” with Chicken Paprikash!
      YUMMM!

      • Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (15)

        Lorie2024-02-18 at 03:11 - Reply

        Oh my gosh, creamed chicken and nuckedle!!!! We make that 2 times a month…yummm I remember filling the pancakes with cottage cheese and grape jelly…the memories

        • Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (16)

          Barath Agnes2024-02-20 at 20:41 - Reply

          Hello Lorie,
          It’s fantastic to hear about these dishes bring back fond memories for you. These unique flavors and family traditions add a special touch to your culinary experiences. Keep embracing the joy and nostalgia that these dishes bring into your life!
          Agnes

  7. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (17)

    Jan Rumore2020-01-20 at 20:38 - Reply

    Having a Hungarian gramma and momma, I was brought up on Hungarian cooking. My favorites are stuffed peppers, crepes with cottage cheese filling, chicken paprika, cabbage rolls, nut and poppy seed tortes.
    My grandparents came over to US from Hungary in the 1900’s. Lived in Ohio. Their last name was Szechy.

  8. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (18)

    Barbara Carter2020-04-14 at 04:55 - Reply

    My mother used to make these for us kids. My dad was full Hungarian and taught her. She would use cottage cheese with raisins for the filling. Ahhh….good memories!

  9. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (19)

    Kish2020-12-20 at 23:14 - Reply

    so did my dad’s Hungarian family, worked the mines in PA . my dad born in youngstown, have family there still, last name szekeley. i make alot of the foods you listed. Granny used to hang cheese over the sink she made for the holidays. Little lard cookies filled w/ Peanut butter, prunes, apricot ,poppy seed. Miss it..

    • Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (20)

      Lorie2024-02-18 at 03:14 - Reply

      Easter cheese, so good…all these dishes…my gramp and my great gram are from Hungary….my gramps was a coalminer in scranton…prompovitch (it was spelled differently in Hungary)

      • Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (21)

        Barath Agnes2024-02-20 at 20:39 - Reply

        Hello Lorie,
        It’s wonderful to celebrate family traditions, especially those tied to your Hungarian heritage, like Easter cheese. Enjoy carrying on these simple yet meaningful customs that connect you to your roots and family history! :)

        Agnes

  10. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (22)

    Gabriela Cheveresan(Palfi)2023-01-05 at 20:59 - Reply

    Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (23)
    My grandparents are from hungary, they moved to romania(transilvania/banat) after the war to be with my grandfathers family. These recipes remind me of her and her cooking, I grew up on all these wonderful dishes! Happy to find them in english, as grandma passed away 10 years ago! Thank you for sharing these wonderful recipees!

  11. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (24)

    Cara Matho Buerger2023-09-12 at 14:23 - Reply

    Memories of my grandmother making these, she was from Romania, then moved to Hungary, Austria, was sponsored by her brother and his church to move to Cincinnati, OH. Last name Szucs, now Matho. She would fill with cottage cheese or jam filling and sprinkle with powdered sugar. She also made nut rolls, so delicious. I still try to make around the holidays.

    • Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (25)

      Barath Agnes2023-11-19 at 21:15 - Reply

      Dear Cara,

      Thank you for sharing such beautiful memories of your grandmother’s culinary traditions. It sounds like she had an incredible journey from Romania to Hungary, Austria, and eventually Cincinnati, bringing with her a rich tapestry of flavors.

      I’m thrilled to hear that you continue the tradition of making these delicious treats around the holidays. If there’s anything specific you’d like to share or ask about the recipe, or if you have any other culinary memories you’d like to discuss, feel free to reach out. Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with the warmth of family traditions and delicious flavors.
      Agnes

  12. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (26)

    Shianne2023-11-16 at 22:38 - Reply

    Im Hungarian and try to cook as much Hungarian foods as I can. We love Palacinta…I’ve been served this with a sweet cream sauce over it…Im searching for this cream sauce recipe.

  13. Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (27)

    S.R2024-02-19 at 11:05 - Reply

    Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (28)
    My Mom made these for us all the time. But always used powdered nestle quick powder in the middle and then rolled them up. They were the absolute best.

    • Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (29)

      Barath Agnes2024-02-20 at 20:36 - Reply

      Your mom’s pancake recipe sounds deliciously simple yet flavorful. Using powdered Nestle Quick powder or Nutella as fillings adds a sweet touch to the pancakes, while cinnamon offers a warm and comforting flavor. :)

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Hungarian Pancake (Palacsinta) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Hungarian pancake and crepe? ›

Actually, palacsinta (and also paltschinke) are different from crepes in one key respect: They are a bit thinner. Making palacsinta thinner than crepes is easy. You make a batter that is similar to a crepe batter, and just before cooking it you add some soda water.

Where does Palacsinta originate? ›

Palacsinta, in case you don't know, are a beloved Hungarian flat cake that can be stuffed with fillings both savory and sweet.

How to make Hungarian polo cinta? ›

Directions
  1. Mix eggs, flour, milk, sugar and salt to make a smooth pancake dough. ...
  2. Stir in the carbonated water at the last moment, just before cooking the pancakes.
  3. Heat an 8-inch frying pan. ...
  4. Pour a ladle of the batter into the pan and gently tip and twist the pan so that the batter covers the entire bottom of the pan.

How to make Queen Elizabeth pancakes? ›

Beat two eggs with 4 tablespoons of sugar and about one teacup (or 3/4 of a cup) of milk. Add 4 teacups of flour and mix in another teacup of milk "as required" Mix in 3 teaspoons of cream of tartar and 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda (baking soda) Fold in 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

Is crepe batter the same as pancake batter? ›

The main difference is that pancake batter has a raising agent in it, such as baking powder or baking soda, and crepe batter does not. This means that pancakes are thicker and fluffy while crêpes are thin and flat.

Are crepes French or Hungarian? ›

In French folklore, there is a tale that the crêpe's origin was born of a “happy accident,” when a 13th-century housewife in Brittany accidentally spilled some buckwheat porridge from a kettle in the fireplace onto a flat cooking stone, but other sources put crêpes much earlier on the timeline.

Are crepes and palačinkes the same? ›

Central European palatschinken (palačeke) are thin pancakes similar to the French crêpe. The main difference between the French and Central European version of the dish is that the mixture for palatschinken can be used straight away unlike that of crepes which is suggested to be left at rest for several hours.

How do you say pancake in Hungarian? ›

PALACSINTA (HUNGARIAN PANCAKES)

What are European pancakes called? ›

Crêpe. Crêpes, popular in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Portugal, are made from flour, milk, and eggs. They are thin pancakes and are served with a sweet (fruit, ice cream, jam, chocolate spread, powdered sugar) or savoury filling (cheese, ham, seafood, spinach).

Why is water polo so popular in Hungary? ›

A key factor in establishing water polo, which started in Great Britain in the late 19th century, in Hungary was its abundance of thermal springs. (There are more than 1,300 of them in the country today.) The warm water helped foster an aquatic culture and enabled players to train for longer periods during the year.

How does Gordon Ramsay make his pancakes? ›

First, Ramsay mixes 100 grams of flour (about 3/4 cup), 300 mL of milk (about 2 Tbsp.), and two whole eggs into a bowl. After 15 minutes, he sprays a hot nonstick pan with oil before pouring in one full ladle of the mixture into the center of the pan.

Are crepes and European pancakes the same? ›

Central European palatschinken (palačeke) are thin pancakes similar to the French crêpe. The main difference between the French and Central European version of the dish is that the mixture for palatschinken can be used straight away unlike that of crepes which is suggested to be left at rest for several hours.

What's the difference between crepes and Pannenkoeken? ›

Pannenkoeken are usually larger (up to a foot in diameter) and much thinner than their American or Scotch pancake counterparts, but not as thin as crêpes. They may incorporate slices of bacon, apples, cheese, or raisins.

What are the two types of crepes and how are they different? ›

Crêpes are usually one of two varieties: sweet crêpes (crêpes sucrées) or savoury galettes (crêpes salées). They are often served with a wide variety of fillings such as cheese, fruit, vegetables, meats, and a variety of spreads. Crêpes can also be flambéed, such as in crêpes Suzette.

What is the difference between Russian pancakes and crepes? ›

What exactly are Blinis? They are large, thin, crepe-like pancakes. That's right, Russian blini are not small rounds you usually see served in Russian Tea Rooms or at posh events. They are full size crepes.

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