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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Saskia Kemsley

Pancake Day 2025 Essentials: Tools you need to make perfect pancakes on Shrove Tuesday

As Shrove Tuesday 2025 looms on the horizon, so does the age-old tradition of flipping pancakes – a beloved, family-friendly pastime that promises as much chaos as it does joy.

While we all know the classic ingredients – flour, eggs, milk, and baking soda for the fluffy and ambitious – the key to achieving the perfect pancake lies not just in your recipe, but in the tools you use.

After all, a well-crafted pancake is more than just a fluffy, golden delight. Rather, it’s a carefully executed dance of heat, timing, and precision. So, ahead of this year’s pancake bonanza, we’ve rounded up the must-have equipment to elevate your flipping game and guarantee a successful Shrove Tuesday feast.

First and foremost, the humble frying pan. While any flat, non-stick surface will do, opting for a quality, heavy-duty pan is non-negotiable. A shallow cast-iron skillet, with its superior heat retention, will allow for an even cook and a crispy edge. But for those seeking perfection, a pancake-specific pan with low, sloping sides will make flipping feel like a breeze (or at least less of a gamble).

If you’re after precision, a batter dispenser is your new best friend. Gone are the days of uneven pours or messy edges. These handy gadgets allow you to pour your batter in a controlled, steady stream, guaranteeing uniform pancakes every time. For the well-practised, a ladle may still be a worthy companion for those with a steady hand.

For the truly ambitious, consider investing in a pancake griddle – a spacious, flat surface ideal for cooking multiple pancakes at once, ensuring everyone at the table gets a hot, fresh stack. This is the tool of choice for those aiming to cater to a crowd, or perhaps just wanting to create the ultimate pancake tower without the wait.

Let’s not forget the all-important spatula. A silicone, flexible spatula can be a game-changer, enabling you to slide under the pancake with ease, flipping it with confidence. A slotted version allows for better grease drainage, while also ensuring a quicker, more effective flip.

Whether you’re a pancake novice or a seasoned pro, these tools are sure to set you on the path to pancake perfection. With Pancake Day 2025 just around the corner, it’s time to gear up and master the art of the flip.

Shop our edit of the essentials below

The Pan

Le Creuset 3 Ply Coated Frying Pan 28cm

Le Creuset may be most famous for its cast iron, but its technologically advanced frying pan has you covered when you’re hankering for steak or brunch pancakes.

This tough and durable pan is crafted from three layers of stainless steel for even heat distribution and has been finished with a non-stick yet PFOA-free coating which makes for easier cleaning and healthier meals as you’ll need less fat to stop food sticking.

Use it across all heat sources - including induction and oven as well as popped in the dishwasher once you’ve finished cheffing. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee for total peace of mind.

Buy now £179.00, Fenwick

Our Place Cast Iron Always Pan

Never has a cookware brand caused quite as big a commotion as Our Place. Oprah reportedly called the brand’s cult favourite Always Pan a “kitchen magician”, and it can count popstar-turned-cooking show host Selena Gomez among its collaborators.

The cast iron iteration of its signature product employs an easy-care matt black enamel coating to bolster its already impressive convenience credentials. These include an integrated beachwood spatula and two rubber hot grips for safe handling.

And if you want more from the eight-in-one design that bakes, broils, braises and the rest, opt for added extras including a fry deck and alternate clay Tagine lid.

Buy now £130.00, Our Place

STAUB Cast Iron Pancake Pan

Renowned for its high-quality cookware, Staub kitchenware hails from Alsace region of France, which is famous for its culinary traditions - crêpes included. Crafted from cast iron and super flat, Staub’s purpose-made pan offers an easy way to make tasty pancakes at home whether it’s Shrove Tuesday or not. Just be sure to season it before use for perfect flipping every time.

Buy now £99.95, John Lewis

The Utensils

OXO Good Grips Silicone Flexible Pancake Turner, Large

Extra-large and designed specifically for easy flipping, this brilliant pancake turner by OXO is crafted from heat-resistant silicone bonded to flexible stainless steel for durability. Thin yet sturdy, it slides seamlessly under pancakes and eggs so that you can cook up the perfect breakfast with ease.

Buy now £14.00, John Lewis

MoonWood Wooden Crepe Spreader and Spatula Set

Because an artist is only as good as their tools. No self-respecting pancake set is complete without this essential beechwood set which includes four pieces: 7, 5, 3.5-inch spreaders and 12-inch Wood Spatula Turner. The pancake spreader ensures that each and every pancake that you make is evenly spread and the correct thinness or thickness.

Buy now £12.99, Amazon

Silicone Spatula Set

Available in every colour of the rainbow, this set of non-stick silicone, kitchen essentials is complete with a sturdy stainless-steel core – so you can be sure that they’ll go the distance. A value-for-money yet pretty and practical set of kitchen accessories, each utensil is also fitted with a small hole at the base for easy hanging.

Buy now £12.94, Amazon

Joseph Joseph Nest Plus 9 Mixing Bowls and Measuring Cups Set, Multi

The only set of mixing bowls and measuring cups that you’ll ever need in your kitchen for the foreseeable, the Joseph Joseph nesting kit is an absolute marvel. It includes two large mixing bowls, a colander, a sieve and five measuring cups in the brand’s signature space-saving design. Fashion and function combined.

Buy now £60.00, Lakeland

The Mixture

Based Food Fluffy Pancake Mix

Fluffier pancakes, faster. Based Food’s Fluffy Pancake Mix combines simplicity with quality, delivering light and airy pancakes with minimal effort. Made with wholesome ingredients, it’s the perfect way to kickstart your Pancake Day without the hassle of measuring out individual ingredients. Just mix, cook, and enjoy a stack of perfectly golden pancakes every time.

Buy now £4.89, Based Food

The Skinny Food Co Low Sugar Pancake Mix - 150g

Pancakes have a negative connotation of being unhealthy, but it doesn't have to be so. The Skinny Food Co has this mix that's low on sugar, and when paired with its zero-sugar syrups and sauces, can be a treat that won't throw your fitness goals out of kilter.

Buy now £4.99, The Skinny Food Co

Vertmont Organic Pancake Mix, 400g

For a more wholesome, organic twist on Pancake Day, Vertmont Organic Pancake Mix delivers the perfect balance of taste and texture. Made with 100 per cent organic ingredients, this mix results in light, fluffy pancakes with a slightly richer, more natural flavour.

Buy now £4.99, Sous Chef

M&S American Pancake Shaker Mix

For a fuss-free, quick solution to Pancake Day prep, M&S American Pancake Shaker Mix is a saviour. This clever shaker mix lets you simply shake, pour, and flip, all while creating thick, fluffy American-style pancakes in a matter of minutes. Ideal for those who want a stress-free pancake experience with minimal clean-up.

Buy now £1.00, Ocado

The Accoutrements

Georg Jensen Alfredo Serving Board

Georg Jensen's handsome serving board suits all household styles. A subtle piece which will elegantly blend into your kitchen, the board is defined by a smart oval silhouette with slanted edges. It’s easy to manoeuvre while you prepare meals and further features a small silver badge displaying the esteemed Georg Jensen logo.

Buy now £75.00, Georg Jensen

Habitat Speckle Set of 4 Side Plate

Set includes: four​ plates

There’s something so charming and of-the-now about earthy stone tableware. This sandstone grey dinner plate set ticks all the boxes as we embrace the back-to-nature trend, merging a sense of traditional earthenware with modern kitchen and dining style. Functional (dishwasher and microwave-safe) and fashionable yet timeless, we’re very much here for this rustic-luxe look.

Buy now £15.00, Argos

Matilda Goad & Co

Dopamine-boosting style has skyrocketed in recent years, with kaleidoscopic colour palettes becoming the norm within both the fashion and interior spaces. Matilda Goad & Co certainly got the memo with this brilliant stainless steel and acrylic cutlery set. Available in curated colourways as well as mix-and-matchable options, your cutlery drawer is set to be the most stylish space in your home.

Buy now £110.00, Matilda Goad & Co

The Spreads

Maple Shack 100% Pure Grade A Maple Syrup

No Pancake Day is complete without a generous drizzle of rich, golden maple syrup, and Maple Shack’s Pure Grade A Maple Syrup is the gold standard. Sourced from the finest maple trees, this syrup is free from additives and artificial ingredients, offering an authentic, natural sweetness that perfectly complements your pancakes.

Buy now £3.92, Ocado

Butter Bike Co Everything Bagel Peanut Butter

The Butter Bike Co Everything Bagel Nut Butter has won our hearts. Filled with all of our favourite bagel flavours – including sesame and poppy seeds, garlic, onion and peanuts – we’re feeling all Pavlovian just thinking about it. Schmear it on your bagels and pancakes in the morning or even incorporate it into a nutty noodle dish.

Buy now £6.25, Selfridges

Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread

What better way to elevate your pancakes than with a luxurious spread of Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread? This smooth, rich, and indulgent chocolate hazelnut treat is the ideal topping for adding a touch of decadence to your stack. Whether you drizzle it on top, spread it in between layers, or even use it as a dip, this creamy, nutty delight is the ultimate finishing touch for your Pancake Day creations.

Buy now £2.50, Amazon

Bonne Maman Wild Blueberry Conserve

Give your pancakes a burst of natural sweetness with Bonne Maman Wild Blueberry Conserve. This beautifully fruity spread, made from handpicked wild blueberries, adds a tangy twist that perfectly balances out the richness of pancakes. Its vibrant flavour brings a burst of freshness to your morning stack, making it an ideal topping for anyone who prefers fruit over syrup.

Buy now £3.30, Amazon

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