Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Scottish Pancake Recipe Has Resurfaced—Here's How to Make the Royal Tea-Time Treat (2024)

Known as drop scones in the U.K., these silver-dollar sized cakes were once served to a former U.S. president.

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Nashia Baker

Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Scottish Pancake Recipe Has Resurfaced—Here's How to Make the Royal Tea-Time Treat (1)

Nashia Baker is a skilled writer and editor in the journalism industry, known for her work interviewing global thought leaders, creatives, and activists, from Aurora James to Stacey Abrams. She has over five years of professional experience and has been a part of the Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart Weddings teams for the last 3 years.

Published on October 11, 2022

Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Scottish Pancake Recipe Has Resurfaced—Here's How to Make the Royal Tea-Time Treat (2)

Over the course of her life, Queen Elizabeth was known for her sweet tooth (she loved indulging in the royal family's famous Christmas cookies!). She also enjoyed one particular tea-time treat: Scottish pancakes. According to Simplemost, Queen Elizabeth's personal recipe for the dish, also known as drop scones, has surfaced on Reddit in the weeks following her passing. It's the very same one she used when hosting President Dwight Eisenhower during his trip to Balmoral Castle in Scotland back in 1959.

The drop cakes were apparently so delicious, the former president requested the recipe during his stay, and Queen Elizabeth shared it in a letter five months later: "Dear Mr. President. Seeing a picture of you in today's newspaper, standing in front of a barbecue grilling quail, reminded me that I had never sent you the recipe of the drop scones which I promised you at Balmoral," the Queen wrote. "I now hasten to do so, and I hope you will find them successful."

These tea-time treats aren't exactly like the pancakes often served with syrup on breakfast tables in the United States; Scottish pancakes are dollar-sized delights that are best paired with honey, butter, and jam (like scones!). They are, however, still prepared on a greased pan or griddle—just like traditional American pancakes. Follow these steps to make the royal-approved batter:

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

As for the the royal matriarch's other tips? Beat the batter "a great deal" before adding dollops to the pan—and when you do, let the drop scones cook for a few minutes on each side, slightly longer than traditional American pancakes (Scottish pancakes are thicker). The Queen also suggested serving them with treacle or golden syrup.

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Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Scottish Pancake Recipe Has Resurfaced—Here's How to Make the Royal Tea-Time Treat (2024)

FAQs

Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Scottish Pancake Recipe Has Resurfaced—Here's How to Make the Royal Tea-Time Treat? ›

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.

What is Queen Elizabeth's pancake recipe? ›

How to Make Queen Elizabeth's Pancakes
  1. 4 teacups flour (3 regular cups all-purpose flour)
  2. 3 teaspoons cream of tartar.
  3. 2 teaspoons baking soda.
  4. 2 teacups milk (12 ounces or 1-1/2 cups)
  5. 2 whole eggs.
  6. 4 tablespoons caster sugar.
  7. 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus more to grease the pan)
Sep 21, 2022

What's the difference between American pancakes and Scotch pancakes? ›

Also called Drop Scones, Scotch pancakes are enjoyed for breakfast and as a snack in the United Kingdom. The main difference between Scotch and American pancakes is that the Scotch version is simpler. Ingredients include self-rising flour, salt, caster sugar, and eggs. Caster sugar provides a more caramelized taste.

Did the Queen eat pancakes? ›

The late Queen enjoyed both sweet and savoury pancakes, and as well as sharing the best way to serve your lemon and sugar classic ( a dusting of caster sugar with fresh lemon wedges) they also revealed her more unconventional choice of ingredients, and how to elevate your butter to create a delicious nutty flavour: a ...

Who got Queen Elizabeth's scone recipe? ›

This recipe is traditionally said to have been sent by Queen Elizabeth II to President Eisenhower around 1960.

What was Queen Elizabeth's favorite dish? ›

Game Meats and Wild-Caught Fish Dinners

The queen's preference for game meats even extended to more casual meals; she was, reportedly, a big fan of hamburgers made with ground venison. She usually skipped any potatoes, pastas or grains at her evening repast, but almost always had room for dessert.

What is the queen of England eat for breakfast? ›

For breakfast she keeps things simple. Royal biographer, Katie Nicholl, has previously said: "HRH typically starts with a simple cup of tea and biscuits, followed by a bowl of cereal." (The Guardian previously reported she likes to keep it in Tupperware to preserve its freshness.)

Does the Queen eat eggs? ›

"Every day begins with an egg, and they're eaten for tea, too – with crumpets, if you're Prince Charles. The Queen favours brown eggs, believing that they taste better. Her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, ate her boiled egg, served in a golden egg cup, with a golden spoon."

Has the Queen ever cooked a meal? ›

She does not cook for herself and her family on a regular basis. It seems to be more a recreational activity for her. Even so, there are a few dishes she reportedly does well. One of these is dropped scones, or what Americans call “pancakes.” Here's the recipe: THE QUEEN'S DROP SCONES - America's Table.

Does the Queen eat bananas? ›

One particular story comes from former Chef Darren McGrady who revealed that the Queen prefers to eat her bananas rather strangely. Darren McGrady told Marie Claire, "With a banana, she'll cut off the bottoms and cut the banana lengthwise, and then cut the banana into tiny slices to eat with a fork."

What kind of jam did Queen Elizabeth eat? ›

The Savoy Hotel-trained chef, who worked for the Royal Family for 15 years, said: “The Queen was served jam pennies in the nursery as a little girl, she's had them for afternoon tea ever since.” “Simple, just bread and jam with a little butter – usually strawberry jam.

What dessert did the queen like? ›

No fussy truffles or trendy mash-up desserts for this world ruler, no, no. When it's time to treat herself, McGrady revealed that all the Queen wants is a piece of chocolate biscuit cake.

Does the queen put cream on her scones first? ›

Well, according to Darren McGrady, a former chef who worked for the Royal Family for over 10 years, the Queen prefered jam first. He tweeted: “The Queen always had home-made Balmoral jam first with clotted cream on top at Buckingham Palace garden parties in the royal tea tent and all royal tea parties.”

What is Queen Elizabeth cake made of? ›

Queen Elizabeth cake is a dessert cake prepared with sugar, flour, dates, eggs, and butter, and topped with a sugary icing infused with shredded coconut. The cake is named after Elizabeth II. It is a popular cake in Canada. The coconut topping is prepared by broiling or grilling.

What's the difference between British pancakes and crepes? ›

A pancake and crepe are quite similar, the most obvious visual difference is that a pancake tends to be smaller and thicker whilst a crepe is much wider but also thinner.

What are British pancakes made of? ›

Method. Put 100g plain flour, 2 large eggs, 300ml milk, 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil and a pinch of salt into a bowl or large jug, then whisk to a smooth batter. This should be similar in consistency to single cream. Set aside for 30 mins to rest if you have time, or start cooking straight away.

What is the queens way of eating scones? ›

Well, according to Darren McGrady, a former chef who worked for the Royal Family for over 10 years, the Queen prefered jam first. He tweeted: “The Queen always had home-made Balmoral jam first with clotted cream on top at Buckingham Palace garden parties in the royal tea tent and all royal tea parties.”

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