Crepes Suzette Recipe (French Crepes with Orange) - Mon Petit Four (2024)

A crepes suzette recipe is a magical thing. This classic dessert (properly written as “crêpes suzette” with accent mark and all) consists of French pancakes cooked with orange-infused butter until they’re caramelized and later flambéed and topped with crepe suzette sauce.

Crepes Suzette Recipe

The crepes suzette history is an interesting one. These French crepes are said to have become common in Parisian restaurants at the turn of the twentieth century after a young waiter supposedly set the crepe suzette sauce aflame when serving the dish to the Prince of Wales.

The Prince was then said to have loved the sauce so much that he asked the sauce to be named after a companion at his table named Suzette.

Whether the story is actually true or not, I don’t know. What I do know is that this easy crepe suzette recipe is probably my absolute favorite way to eat “le crepe.”

In France, you’ll find crepes everywhere. Whether it’s a crepe stand on the street or a dedicated establishment with a crepe station or crepe kitchen, like a creperie, there’s no shortage of these delectable pancakes.

Crepes Suzette Recipe (French Crepes with Orange) - Mon Petit Four (1)

Crepe Suzette Ingredients

French crepes can be filled with a variety of ingredients. I remember staring at a creperie menu once that was 4 pages long! They had everything from simple Nutella and strawberries to a savory crepe filling recipe of truffle and mushrooms.

When I get crepes from street vendors in Paris, I’ll typically just get some butter and sugar because I love the simplicity of it. At restaurants or when I’m making them at home, I love a plate of crepes suzette.

Orange Crepes

Crepes suzette don’t have an actual filling, per se, but that’s because they don’t need one. Instead, a crepe suzette (or grand marnier crepe as it’s referred to) relies on the crepe suzette sauce for the magic.

The actual crepe batter is simply whisked up just like any classic crepe batter, then cooked in a thin layer in a crepe pan or a small skillet.

A French crepe suzette is everything that it is because of the orange-infused sauce.

Crepe Suzette Sauce

To make these French crepes suzette the mouthwatering treat that they are, the butter needs to be infused with flavor. Specifically, the butter is mixed with sugar, orange zest and a splash of orange juice to essentially create the beurre Suzette.

In traditional recipes, the butter is added to the pan, followed by the sugar and orange juice. This sauce is cooked until it’s bubbly, then the crepes are added in.

This method requires temperature control as you can easily burn your butter or sugar.

Crepes Suzette Recipe (French Crepes with Orange) - Mon Petit Four (2)

Crepe Suzette Flambe

I like to follow a more foolproof method where I prep the butter ahead of time by mixing softened butter with the rest of the ingredients (orange zest, juice, sugar). I do this in the time it takes for the crepe batter to rest.

Then, when it’s time to cook the crepe suzette sauce, I simply add the butter mixture to the pan. Once bubbly and hot, I fold my crepes and place them into the sauce, one by one, spooning the sauce over each crepe.

The crepes bathe in this orange sauce before some brandy and orange liquor are added. Then, the magic happens.

A lighter stick is ignited over the bubbly crepe suzette sauce while the pan is off the heat, causing a flame to rise up.

Thankfully, this technique keeps the flame action mellow.I’m all about magical desserts, just not flaming kitchens!

Crepes Suzette Recipe (French Crepes with Orange) - Mon Petit Four (3)

The flambé action in crepes suzette really contributes to that caramelization process and adds depth of flavor to the crepes.

While crepes suzette don’t necessarily have the typical fillings of melted chocolate or whipped cream, you won’t feel like you’re missing anything.

Whether you enjoy this as a breakfast crepe recipe or a dessert after your meal, just know that these French crepes deliver incredible flavor with a sticky, caramelized texture that is just pure heaven!

Crepes Suzette Recipe (French Crepes with Orange) - Mon Petit Four (4)

Crepes Suzette

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This classic dessert consists of French pancakes cooked in orange-infused butter until caramelized and later flambéed. Makes about 12 small crepes.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, (62.5 grams)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, (56.7 grams) melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar, (31 grams)
  • 1/2 cup milk, (123.5 grams)
  • 1/8 cup water, (29.5 grams)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, (2 grams)
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tbsp grand marnier, (13 grams)
  • 2 tbsp brandy, (26 grams)

for the beurre suzette

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, (56.7 grams) softened
  • 1 tsp orange zest, (2 grams)
  • 1 tsp orange juice, (4 grams)
  • 2 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar, (31 grams)

Instructions

  1. Begin by creating the crepe batter. In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, eggs, sugar, milk, water, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until it's smooth and combined well.
  2. Add the flour in, bit by bit, whisking after each addition. Once the batter is smooth, let it rest for 10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, create the beurre suzette. Use a spatula to beat the butter, orange zest, juice, and sugar together until smooth and combined.
  4. Place a small skillet (6 inches) over medium-low heat. Pour about 2 tablespoons worth of batter into the pan and immediately move the pan from side to side to get an even, thin layer. Cook for about 45 seconds, until the edges begin to crisp. Use a spatula to flip the crepe over and cook the other side for another 10 to 15 seconds. Move the crepes to a plate.
  5. Grab a larger skillet (10 inches) and place over medium heat. Add the beurre suzette and allow it to melt and become bubbly. While you're waiting for the butter to melt, fold your crepes into triangles, or a cone shape. Carefully place each folded crepe into the skillet, arranging them next to each other in a radial pattern. Spoon some of the sauce over the crepes as you're adding them in.
  6. Add the grand marnier, then the brand. Move the skillet off heat and ignite the liquid with a lighter. Move the skillet back over to the stove and allow it to cook until the sauce has been caramelized and reduced.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 6 Servings
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 261

Crepes Suzette Recipe (French Crepes with Orange) - Mon Petit Four (2024)

FAQs

What is crepes Suzette made of? ›

Crêpes Suzette (pronounced [kʁɛp syzɛt]) is a French dessert consisting of crêpes with beurre Suzette ( pronounced [bœʁ syzɛt]), a sauce of caramelized sugar and butter, tangerine or orange juice, zest, and Grand Marnier, triple sec or orange Curaçao liqueur on top, flambéed tableside.

What is the most popular crepe in France? ›

In a recent survey, the crêpe au sucre (crepe covered with melted butter and sprinkled with granulated sugar) was named as French people's favorite way to enjoy a crepe.

What is Suzette in French? ›

A feminine name of French origins, Suzette comes from the Hebrew name Susanna, and translates to “lily” or “rose.” As you and baby explore the beauty of nature—and all the flowers the world has to offer—the name Suzette is sure to help them appreciate every petal and leaf.

What is the most celebrated dessert crepe in France? ›

The Crêpe Suzette

Henri raced to the kitchen and prepared a crêpe with orange sauce flambée. He named it Suzette in honor of the beautiful lady who accompanied the Prince. The rest is history … The Crêpe Suzette became the most celebrated French dessert.

What is the difference between crêpes and crepe suzette? ›

Crêpes Suzette is a very specific dessert preparation, of which crêpes are a key ingredient. Specifically, it's crêpes steeped in caramelized sugar and orange juice and then flambée'd (doused with and set alight) with Grand Marnier or a similar high-alcohol content orange flavoured liqueur.

Which country made Crepes Suzette? ›

Crepes Suzette were made famous in elegant Parisian restaurants at the turn of the 20th century and have become standard French dessert fare. Short story about crepe “princess”. The history of crêpes dates back to 13th century Brittany, France.

How do French people eat their crêpes? ›

How do you eat crêpes? Crêpes are usually eaten with different kinds of toppings such as Nutella, banana, confiture, a sprinkling of sugar & lemons. If you want to do it the French way, try the Crêpe Suzette (with a sauce made of caramelized butter, sugar and orange juice, and Grand Marnier!

What is a crêpe called in France? ›

A crêpe or crepe (/kreɪp/ or /krɛp/, French: [kʁɛp], Quebec French: [kʁaɪ̯p]) is a very thin type of pancake. Crêpes are usually one of two varieties: sweet crêpes (crêpes sucrées) or savoury galettes (crêpes salées).

Why do French people eat crêpes? ›

French crepes were very popular because they were cheap to make and did not use many raw ingredients. Poor families could use leftover buckwheat porridge to make buckwheat crepes and minimize food waste.

What is crepe Suzette served with? ›

The pancake is often covered and rolled for eating. The suzette sauce is one of many common preparations of the crepe. That sauce is made with sugar, butter and flambeed with Grand Marnier, an orange liqueur to be poured over the rolled unfilled crepes.

What does Suzette mean in the Bible? ›

In French Baby Names the meaning of the name Suzette is: Lily. Susannah. In the apocryphal Book of Tobit Susannah courageously defended herself against wrongful accusation. White lilies grew in the Biblical city of Susa in Persia.

What does crepe Suzette taste like? ›

Discover our easy Crepes Suzette recipe – soft, buttery crepes with a zesty orange and Grand Marnier sauce. It's one of our favorite French dessert recipes that promises pure delight!

What is the number 1 dessert in France? ›

1. Crème brûlée. Crème brûlée is arguably the most well-known French dessert outside of France, a staple on menus from Paris to New York. Its popularity comes from its elegant simplicity - a rich, creamy custard capped with a brittle burnt sugar crust.

What day do French people eat crêpes? ›

Every year on the 2nd of February, families all over France eat crêpes. The celebration is called “La Chandeleur” (Candlemas in English) and represents the final custom linked to the Christmas celebrations.

Do French people eat crêpes for dinner? ›

The buckwheat crepes usually contain savory fillings. The most popular is ham and Béchamel, a sauce made of Gruyere cheese, butter, milk and flour. All over France, the French people make crepes. They can be served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and of course, dessert.

What are real crepes made of? ›

A crepe is a classic French dish made from a simple batter of flour, eggs, and milk. Crepes are similar to pancakes, but they are not made with a leavener—like the baking powder and baking soda used in pancakes—which results in a thinner batter and delicate crepes.

What were crepes originally made of? ›

Crêpes originated in France around Brittany all the way back in the 13th century. Crepes originally used buckwheat flour, a relatively new ingredient in Europe at the time. According to the stories, peasants made the first crepe by accidentally dropping porridge on a flat cooktop.

What does Suzette mean in Crepe Suzette? ›

1. 1920–25; <French, allegedly after Suzanne (Suzette) Reichenberg (1853–1924), French actress, in whose honor they were first prepared. Also crepe su·zette .

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